Taxonomy

Division:

Magnoliophyta | - Flowering plants

Family:

Ericaceae

Genus:

Erica

Species:

Erica tetralix

USDA Symbol:

ERTE4

Growth Characteristics

Life Cycle:

Perennial

Growth Habit:

Shrub , Subshrub

Height:

60 cm

Light Requirements:

Full Sun

Drought Tolerance:

Low

Bloom Months:

jun,jul,aug,sep

Bloom Colors:

pink, white

Landscaping Shrub:

Yes

Wildlife Benefits

Bees:

★☆☆☆☆ Documented bee visitation (GBIF)

Butterflies & Moths:

★☆☆☆☆ Documented Lepidoptera association (GBIF)

Garden & Ecology Notes

Wildlife Value:

bees, butterflies

Deer Resistant:

Yes

Fire Ecology:

Fire adapted — tolerates or benefits from fire

Fire Notes:

Resprouts from base after fire in heathland management; historically maintained by periodic burning.

Soil Requirements

Soil Type:

wet, peaty, nutrient-poor soil

pH:

4.0 - 5.5 (strongly acidic to acidic)

Drainage:

tolerates poor drainage

Moisture:

consistently moist

Notes:

prefers boggy conditions typical of heathlands

Propagation & Germination

Stratification:

None required

Germination Time:

14–60 days

Notes:

Seeds require light for germination; surface sow on moist acidic substrate. Germination can be erratic.

The above propagation data sourced from Claude AI