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Summary
Physical Characteristics

Erica tetralix is an evergreen Shrub growing to 0.3 m (1ft) by 0.5 m (1ft 8in).
See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 3. It is in leaf all year, in flower from June to October, and the seeds ripen in October. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs) and is pollinated by Insects. The plant is self-fertile.
It is noted for attracting wildlife.
Suitable for: light (sandy) and medium (loamy) soils and can grow in nutritionally poor soil. Suitable pH: mildly acid and neutral soils and can grow in very acid soils.
It cannot grow in the shade. It prefers moist or wet soil. The plant can tolerates strong winds but not maritime exposure.
UK Hardiness Map
US Hardiness Map
Synonyms
Habitats
Ground Cover; Bog Garden;
Edible Uses
References More on Edible Uses
Medicinal Uses
Plants For A Future can not take any responsibility for any adverse effects from the use of plants. Always seek advice from a professional before using a plant medicinally.
None known
References More on Medicinal Uses
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Other Uses
Broom Dye
Stems are used for making brooms, brushes etc[109]. A yellow dye is obtained from the plant[46, 61]. Plants can be grown as a ground cover[208]. They should be clipped in the spring in order to encourage denser growth[208].
Special Uses
Attracts Wildlife Food Forest Ground cover
References More on Other Uses
Cultivation details
Requires a light lime-free loam[1]. A calcifuge plant, requiring a pH below 6[186]. Grows best in a poor soil[11]. Resents dry soils[1], doing well in boggy areas[186]. Prefers an open situation[1]. A good bee plant[108]. There are many named forms, selected for their ornamental value[188]. Plants in this genus are notably resistant to honey fungus[200]. In garden design, as well as the above-ground architecture of a plant, root structure considerations help in choosing plants that work together for their optimal soil requirements including nutrients and water. The root pattern is branching: a heart root, dividing from the crown into several primary roots going down and out [2-1].
References Carbon Farming Information and Carbon Sequestration Information
Temperature Converter
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The PFAF Bookshop
Plants For A Future have a number of books available in paperback and digital form. Book titles include Edible Plants, Edible Perennials, Edible Trees, and Woodland Gardening. Our new book to be released soon is Edible Shrubs.
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Propagation
Seed - surface sow in a sandy compost in a cold frame in spring. Keep moist. Prick out the plants as soon as they are large enough to handle and plant them in their permanent positions when they are 5 - 8cm tall[11]. Cuttings of half-ripe wood, 3cm long taken from twiggy lateral growths near the base of the plant, July/August in a frame. Remove the leaves from the bottom part of the stem without causing any damage to the bark. The cuttings root in a few weeks if they are given some bottom heat. Plant out in spring[11]. Layering in spring or autumn. Plants can be 'dropped' and then dug up and divided about 6 - 12 months later. Dropping involves digging up the plant and then replanting it about 15 - 20cm deeper in the soil to encourage roots to form along the stems[78].
Other Names
If available other names are mentioned here
Native Plant Search
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Found In
Countries where the plant has been found are listed here if the information is available
Weed Potential
Right plant wrong place. We are currently updating this section.
Please note that a plant may be invasive in one area but may not in your area so it’s worth checking.
Conservation Status
IUCN Red List of Threatened Plants Status :
Related Plants
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Latin Name | Common Name | Habit | Height | Hardiness | Growth | Soil | Shade | Moisture | Edible | Medicinal | Other |
Adiantum pedatum | Northern Maidenhair,American Maidenhair Fern | Fern | 0.5 |
4-9
| S | LMH | S | M | 0 | 2 | 2 |
Agave americana | Agave, American century plant | Perennial | 7.5 |
8-11
| S | LM | N | DM | 3 | 3 | 3 |
Alisma plantago-aquatica | Great Water Plantain, ZE-XIE, European water plantain, American water plantain, Northern water plan | Perennial | 0.9 |
5-9
| | LMH | N | WeWa | 1 | 3 | |
Alnus viridis crispa | American Green Alder | Shrub | 3.0 |
4-8
| | MH | SN | MWe | 1 | 2 | 3 |
Ammophila breviligulata | Beach Grass, American beachgrass | Perennial | 1.3 |
4-8
| | LM | N | DM | 0 | 0 | |
Amphicarpaea bracteata | Hog Peanut, American hogpeanut | Perennial Climber | 1.5 |
4-9
| | LMH | FS | M | 5 | 1 | 3 |
Andromeda glaucophylla | Bog Rosemary | Shrub | 0.6 |
-
| | LM | S | MWe | 2 | 0 | |
Andromeda polifolia | Marsh Andromeda, Bog rosemary | Shrub | 0.3 |
2-6
| S | LM | S | MWe | 2 | 1 | 1 |
Apios americana | Ground Nut | Perennial | 1.2 |
3-9
| | LM | SN | M | 5 | 1 | 3 |
Aralia racemosa | American Spikenard | Perennial | 1.8 |
4-8
| | LMH | FS | M | 3 | 3 | 2 |
Aralia spinosa | Hercule's Club, Aralia spinosa, American Angelica Tree, Hercules' Club, Devil's Walking Stick | Tree | 9.0 |
5-9
| S | LMH | FS | M | 2 | 2 | 2 |
Arbutus andrachne | Grecian StrawberryTree | Tree | 6.0 |
7-10
| S | LM | N | DM | 3 | 0 | 3 |
Arbutus arizonica | Arizona Maderone | Tree | 15.0 |
5-9
| S | LM | SN | DM | 2 | 1 | 2 |
Arbutus canariensis | Canary Madrona | Tree | 10.0 |
7-10
| | LM | SN | M | 2 | 0 | |
Arbutus menziesii | Madrona, Pacific madrone, Pacific Madrone | Tree | 15.0 |
8-9
| M | LM | SN | DM | 3 | 2 | 2 |
Arbutus texana | Texas Madrone | Tree | 8.0 |
7-10
| S | LM | SN | DM | 2 | 1 | 2 |
Arbutus unedo | Strawberry Tree | Tree | 9.0 |
7-11
| M | LM | SN | DM | 4 | 2 | 2 |
Arbutus x andrachnoides | | Tree | 10.0 |
7-10
| M | LMH | SN | M | 4 | 0 | |
Arbutus xalapensis | Madrono, Texas madrone | Tree | 12.0 |
7-10
| S | LM | SN | DM | 2 | 0 | |
Arctostaphylos alpina | Alpine Bearberry | Shrub | 0.1 |
-
| | LM | SN | M | 2 | 1 | |
Arctostaphylos columbiana | Hairy Manzanita | Shrub | 1.5 |
6-9
| | LM | SN | M | 2 | 1 | 2 |
Arctostaphylos glauca | Bigberry Manzanita | Shrub | 4.0 |
7-10
| | LM | SN | DM | 2 | 2 | 3 |
Arctostaphylos manzanita | Manzanita, Whiteleaf manzanita, Konocti manzanita, Contra Costa manzanita, Roof's manzanita, Wieslan | Shrub | 2.0 |
7-10
| | LM | SN | DM | 3 | 1 | 3 |
Arctostaphylos nevadensis | Pine-Mat Manzanita | Shrub | 0.1 |
5-9
| M | LM | SN | M | 2 | 1 | 3 |
Arctostaphylos parryana | Parry Manzanita | Shrub | 1.8 |
-
| | LM | SN | DM | 1 | 0 | 1 |
Arctostaphylos patula | Greenleaf Manzanita | Shrub | 2.0 |
5-9
| | LM | SN | M | 3 | 1 | 1 |
Arctostaphylos pungens | Pointleaf Manzanita | Shrub | 0.0 |
-
| | LM | SN | DM | 1 | 1 | 2 |
Arctostaphylos stanfordiana | Stanford's manzanita, Rincon manzanita | Shrub | 1.5 |
5-9
| | LM | SN | DM | 3 | 0 | 1 |
Arctostaphylos tomentosa | Downy Manzanita, Woollyleaf manzanita, Brittleleaf manzanita, Dacite manzanita, Rosy manzanita, San | Shrub | 1.5 |
7-10
| | LM | SN | M | 3 | 3 | 3 |
Arctostaphylos uva-ursi | Bearberry | Shrub | 0.1 |
4-8
| M | LM | FSN | M | 3 | 4 | 4 |
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Growth: S = slow M = medium F = fast. Soil: L = light (sandy) M = medium H = heavy (clay). pH: A = acid N = neutral B = basic (alkaline). Shade: F = full shade S = semi-shade N = no shade. Moisture: D = dry M = Moist We = wet Wa = water.
Expert comment
Author
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Botanical References
1117200
Links / References
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