Re: More on Ericas

Einionygarddwr@aol.com wrote:
> 
>     Hello Moira,
> 
>     and thank you for your information concerning South African ericas in New
> Zealand. It's good to know that everyone seems agreed that E.canaliculata is
> the hardiest species. Was yours the white- or pink-flowered form? I don't
> know which mine is, since it has not yet reached flowering size; I prefer it
> in its white form, which means that it will almost certainly be pink!

Hi Einion 

Mine was a rich pink. In fact I didn't know it had a white form, so this
is probably not common here. A white flowered SA heath I agree can be
very attractive. That's why I tried to succeed with E peziza, which in
fact did last a couple of years. The one I really coveted though was the
yellow-flowered one which used to be known as 'Cavendishiana'. I can
only find it in an old book and don't know what its present name is. The
spikes are spectacular and the flowers a beautiful clear light yellow. I
once saw it growing in Lower Hutt our seaside neighbour, but don't know
its subsequent history..
> 
>     I don't myself grow any of the European species, since I find them rather
> boring, though nowhere near as deadly as the mass-produced dwarf bedding
> heathers... 

 I have a huge and ancient bush of what I know as E. mediterranea, but I
now see should be called E. erigena. My cultivar 'Rosslaire' seems to be
no longer listed but from the description 'Ewen Jones' must be pretty
well the same. It makes a great show in late winter where there is
little other colour in my hillside bed. I also have a small number of
the creeping kinds edging a bed of miniature conifers in another part of
the garden, but they are gradually being overwhelmed by their larger
companions.

> 
>     I also had a message, in a private capacity, from a former subscriber in
> California, who enclosed a list of ericas which Rod Saunders thought would be
> the 'hardiest'. It's interesting to see that bauera, mammosa, perziza and
> regia are all included , but you had no luck with them? The list amounts to
> over 40 species, so if you're interested, let me know.

Thanks, but I have really given up on this group, so won't put you to
the trouble of sending it.
> 
>     I'm just sending off to Silverhill for seed of about 6 species, to 'have
> a go'. Apparently, the recent fires in S.A. may well mean that erica seed
> will be in short supply for a few years after this year.

Good luck with them!
> 
>     The Saunders list most of their ericas as zone 8. I'm not sure how
> infallible this zoning system really is, and am firmly of the opinion that
> sharp drainage is more critical to plant survival than just minimum
> temperatures. I see that they have Pittosporum viridiflorum and Begonia
> sutherlandii as zone 10, yet the former has survived this winter so far, as
> small seedlings in pots outside, albeit right next to the house; the begonia
> came sailing through last winter (dormant), and flowered merrily from July to
> the first frost, as did its attendant bulbil babies (I can't grow this as
> house plant at all, yet it's supposed to be 'easy'...!)

While drainage is I agree a large part of the survival equation, I
suspect just wet cold weather may be hard on them. We don't get temps
much below -3C ever, and probably  not even this low in the well-drained
hillside bed, but there can be a soggy wet atmosphere for weeks on end
in winter and I think that was probably the downfall of my plants.

Moira

Tony & Moira Ryan <theryans@xtra.co.nz>
Wainuiomata, New Zealand. (on the "Ring of Fire" in the SW Pacific).
Lat. 41:16S Long. 174:58E. Climate: Mediterranean/Temperate
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