Wrzośce - varieties, cultivation, reproduction

Table of contents

Wrzośce(Erica) are small, very decorative shrubs, often mistaken for heather (Calluna). They are valued for their ease of cultivation and a wide range of applications in gardens. Meet the most interestingspecies and varieties of briarrecommended for gardeners. Find out what it looks likegrowing briar in the garden , when to prune these shrubs and how to propagate your favorite varieties of briar on your own.


Gentle briar - Erica gracilis
Photo. shutterstock.com

What do heathers look like

Althoughbelongs to the genus of heather (Erica) about 700 species , in Poland there is only one in its natural state -marsh briar(E. tetralix). However, thanks to growers from all over the world, these charming plants, in countless varieties, can be grown without problems in your own garden.

Wrzośce are small, evergreen shrubswhich are distinguished by small, coniferous leaves densely overgrowing flabby stems. In July, flower buds form in the stalks. In summer heaths, buds appear on this year's shoots. Small, , bell-shaped briar flowers , form abundant clusters of saturated, deep colors ranging from white through pink, red to purple.

Briar can be decorative at any time of the year , because depending on the species and variety, the flowering period of briar may start in December and end in October or even November . Darley briar(Erica darleyensis) blooms first, followed byred briar(Erica carnea). Swamp briar, gray briar and scattered briar bloom in summer, and their flowers persist into the late fall months.

Wrzosiec and heather - differences

In autumn, many beautifully flowering heathers and heaths appear on saleIt is worth knowing how to distinguish them, because autumn blooming heathers will usually only be a temporary decoration, which will prove useful mainly in an apartment. Heathers planted in the garden will survive for many years. When it comes to heathers, for the garden, we should choose the ones that bloom in spring, because these will usually be more frost-resistant.
Plants that bloom in spring are definitely heathers. In autumn, however, you need to take a closer look at the plants to distinguish them. Well, ltruly heathers are acicular, they grow perpendicular to the stem, and the flowers are potted or tube-likeIn heather the leaves are scaly and the flowers look like bells composed of clearly separate petals.


Briar (on the left) and heather (on the right)
Fig. pixabay.com

Wrzośce - application

Heathers planted in groupsa dozen or so of the same variety are colored stains on the moors. The golden, copper or lush green heather leaves (even in winter) are also a colorful accent after the fading of the leaves. Numerousground cover varieties of heathscreate dense carpets of fantastic colors, presenting themselves particularly favorably under shrubs and dwarf varieties of conifers, e.g. junipers, pines, thuja (commonly referred to as thujas) and spruce trees.
Obvious neighborhood for briarare species with similar job requirements, such as: Japanese pieris, common heather, rhododendron, larch, shrubbery, lingonberry and garden azaleas. When creating moors, however, we do not have to limit ourselves to these plants and we can also use deciduous shrubs and trees, e.g.rowan, birch, dogwood or tavulas. Ornamental grasses, such as fescue, imperata or sedges, are also a good complement to heather gardens.


Heathers, heathers and other moorland plants
Fig. © PoradnikOgrodniczy.pl

Wrzośce - species

Among many species of heaths grown in Polish gardens, a few deserve special attention. We list thesespecies of briar , which are well adapted to our climatic conditions and available in many interesting varieties.
Red briar(Erica carnea) - also known as red briar, it is the most popular species that blooms in February and March. Accompanied by snowdrops, ranches, crocuses, squirrels and snowmen, it announces the arrival of spring. Red briar is a small shrub that grows up to 15-25 cm high and 35-45 cm wide. It is one of the most resistant species grown in Poland, and in the group of heather plants it is distinguished by a much greater tolerance to calcareous soils.Most varieties of briar are classified as the plant frost resistance zone 6A and can be successfully grown in gardens throughout Poland.


Red briar, red briar - Erica carnea
Fig. shutterstock.com

Darley briar(Erica darleyensis) - blooms even earlier than its predecessor. Bred in Great Britain, it is much less frost-resistant, so it will work best in warmer regions of Poland (plant frost resistance zone 6B). Plants of this species are among the tallest in Eric's group and can reach up to 60 cm.


Darlejski heather - Erica darleyensis 'White Perfection'
Photo. shutterstock.com

Gray briar(Erica cinerea) - also known as gray briar, blooms in July, and dark red flowers persist in September.The shrub reaches a height of 25-30 cm and the same diameter. Again, it works best in warmer parts of the country, but it is enough to protect the plants well to enjoy the sight of these beautiful heathers and in parts of the country with a less favorable climate.


Gray Briar, Gray Briar - Erica cinerea 'Stephen Davis'
Fig. shutterstock.com

Scattered briar(Erica vagans) - This species of briar, native to the Mediterranean regions of Europe, has light green leaves and pale pink flowers that appear in July. Reaches a height of 30-40 cm. It belongs to the frost resistance zone 6B, so it winters well in gardens only in warmer regions of Poland.


Heather scattered - Erica vagans
Fig. shutterstock.com

Marsh briar(Erica tetralix) - a species found in the native flora with full frost resistance and perfectly adapted to our climate (frost resistance zone 5B).It has needle-shaped leaves with rolled up edges. It is one of the easier to cultivate because, unlike other heaths, it feels good in slightly damp positions.


Scattered briar - Erica tetralix
Fig. shutterstock.com

Briar - varieties

We present heather varieties recommended for gardens in the table . They differ in height, color of leaves and flowers as well as flowering date, and their selection is so large that everyone will surely find something for themselves: -)

Download this table in a printable version:

  • Briar varieties (PDF)

Wrzośce - cultivation

Heathers need a sunny or semi-shaded position, sheltered from the windand light, humus-permeable, acid-permeable soil (4.0 -5.5 pH).Briar also tolerates more alkaline soils. They are not demanding when it comes to watering, but they do not tolerate too dry and too wet soil.
Due to the moderate frost resistance (exceptions are red heather and marsh heather),should be protected in autumn against frost and physiological drought, to which they are particularly sensitive. The ground around the red and marsh briar is covered with a layer of mulch, the remaining species, in the absence of snow cover, are entirely covered with a shading net or thick nonwoven agrotextile or spruce branches. Plants perfectly winter under snow cover and frost is not afraid of them.
Wrzosce we plant in autumn(second half of September to October)or spring(from March to the end of April). The most important thing is to prepare the right substrate. If we do not have an acidic stand, we should mix the soil with peat or a special garden soil dedicated to acidophilic plants.


Planting heathers and heathers
Fig. shutterstock.com

Heathers look best when planted in groups of approx. 9-15 plants per m² clumps. We plant the plants so that the lower branches touch the ground, and then mulch the soil with pine bark. We also do not forget to water it regularly until the plants are well rooted.
When planting briar it is worth usingmycorrhiza on heather plants. Mycorrhiza facilitates the adoption of newly planted plants, strengthens them and makes them resistant to diseases. As a result, heathers are less sensitive to drought, unfavorable pH of the soil, they grow much nicer and bloom more profusely. RHODOVIT® is an appropriate mycorrhizal preparation for heaths.

It is enough to fertilize briar once a year. In spring, we supply them with a dose of multi-component fertilizers, slow-release fertilizers or fertilizers dedicated to acidophilic plants.

Wrzośce - trimming

Trim brushes for the first few years after planting to ensure adequate density and abundant flowering. April is the appropriate term for most species, while red heather (E. carnea) requires pruning as soon as flowering has ceased. Flower buds are formed on the shoots already in summer or early autumn, socutting briar too late may deprive them of flowers in the next seasonTherefore, it is not worth waiting for the last flower to wither. It is better to regret the flowers that stay on the twigs for too long.
Trim the briar below the faded inflorescences but high enough to leave green leaves on the stemsIf we cut them too low, the shoots will not grow back already from woody twigs. Cut the plants to the shape of a slightly flattened ball, i.e. leave slightly higher shoots in the middle, and trim shorter on the sides. Thanks to this, heathers will retain their natural, hemispherical habit.

Wrzośce - reproduction

The most popularmethod of briar propagation is cuttingShoot cuttings are taken from plants during the growing season (from June to September) and placed in a pot filled with a mixture of peat and sand in a ratio of 1: 1. We prepare the seedlings in such a way that each of them has at least two nodes from which it will take root. Place the young plants in a greenhouse or an inspection room with a temperature of approx. 12 ° C, not forgetting to water them regularly. We plant them permanently in spring, when weather conditions allow it.

MSc Eng. Anna Błaszczak

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