Bell heaths attract attention with their bushy shape and pink sea of flowers. There are now numerous varieties that expand the color palette. If you pay attention to their special requirements for location and care, bell heathers turn out to be long-lasting dwarf shrubs.
What characterizes the Glockenheide?
Bell heathers are dwarf evergreen shrubs known for their bushy growth and pink flowers. They prefer partially shaded locations with nutrient-poor, moist soils and are long-lived if their special requirements for location and care are taken into account.
Origin
Behind the bell heather there is a plant from the Ericaceae, which has the scientific name Erica tetralix. The species grows in Atlantic regions of Europe. It occurs in Spain and Portugal as well as in northern France. Their area extends to England and Denmark. In Germany, the Glockenheide occurs mainly in the northwest German lowlands. The related species Erica gracilis is also often sold commercially as bell heather. She is originally from South Africa.
Natural habitats of the local bell heather:
- Moors, heath moors and moorland forests
- Dwarf shrub heaths and bristly grass lawns
- Wet heaths and banks of ponds
- Sand pits and forest clearings
Growth
Bell heaths are evergreen dwarf shrubs whose shoots become woody and grow rigidly upright. They grow between 15 and 50 centimeters high and have reduced leaves that are reminiscent of needles.
leaves
The needle-shaped leaves are between three and six millimeters long and are arranged in whorls. The leaves protrude sparsely from the stem and have stiff, hairy cilia on their upper side. The edge of the leaf is curled downwards. This leaf shape is an adaptation to natural locations that are poor in nutrient s alts.
Bloom
The heather family develops a bushy to heady inflorescence made up of five to 15 individual flowers. Each flower consists of four sepals and the same number of petals. These have grown together to form a bulbous tube and enclose eight stamens.
Flowering time
While Erica tetralix blooms between June and September, Erica gracilis bears flowers from September to December. In both species the petals shine in pink tones. The numerous varieties expand the color palette to include purple, red or white nuances. After the flowers are pollinated, the petals remain. This makes the plants attractive as they simulate a long flowering period.read more
Fruit
Depending on the flowering time, the two bell heather species bear fruit either in autumn or spring. The capsule fruits open along pre-formed seams and release the tiny seeds, which spread with the wind. When the fruit ripens, the withered petals do not fall off, so the capsules are hidden deep in the crown.
Usage
Bell heaths enrich naturally designed heather gardens and bee pastures. They are suitable for planting moorland beds and along the banks of bodies of water. The splendor of the flowers is particularly effective when large areas are planted with the heather family. They are perfect as ground cover and for planting on slopes. Due to their low height, the dwarf shrubs can be planted in bowls and balcony boxes. They decorate balconies and terraces. Bell heathers are often used for grave planting.
Ideal combination partners:
- Besenheiden
- Juniper and pine trees
- Lungwort and Larkspur
- Blueberries and cranberries
- Fever clover and wood anemones
Which location is suitable?
The dwarf shrubs prefer partially shaded locations with bright conditions. They grow best with plenty of morning and evening sun. The blazing midday sun does not cause any problems for the plants if sufficient water is available.
What soil does the plant need?
Bell heaths grow on nutrient-poor and moist substrates. Sandy and boggy to slightly peaty soils are ideal. The dwarf shrubs cannot tolerate lime. The moister the soil, the more sunlight heathers can tolerate. Dry conditions quickly cause leaves to dry out. Potting soil or special soil for rhododendrons (€20.00 on Amazon) has proven to be beneficial as a substrate. The soil can be used pure or mixed with sand.
Mix the substrate yourself:
- one part of peat or peat substitute
- a part of bog soil
- three parts conifer soil
- a part of sand
Propagate bell heather
Both Erica tetralix and the related Erica gracilis are successfully propagated from cuttings. Division and abscission also produce offspring. Sowing is more difficult and is therefore not one of the standard methods.
Division
During spring you can dig up the root ball of the bell heather and cut it with a sharp knife. The partial plants should have strong roots and several shoots so that they can grow well. Plant the daughter plants immediately in their place so that the roots do not dry out.
Lowers
For this propagation method, a strong side shoot is bent towards the ground and scratched crosswise at the tip. This part is fixed to the substrate with a stone so that the shoot tip is not covered. After regular watering, the sinker develops roots within a few weeks and the shoot can be separated from the mother plant.
Cuttings
Cut cuttings that are about ten to 15 centimeters long from a strong mother plant. The shoots may be slightly woody. Be careful not to crush the tissue at the interfaces. Place the shoots in a nutrient-poor substrate such as ericaceous soil. An optimal climate with high humidity develops under a transparent cover. After a few weeks, the cuttings will have developed roots.
What is the best time to plant?
If the nurseries are full of bell heathers, they can be planted in the garden immediately. Loosen the substrate and dig the hole so deep that the root ball is covered by about a centimeter of substrate. Before you plant the plant, the root ball should be immersed in a water bath. Ensure regular watering in the first few weeks after planting.
Bell heather in a pot
Bell heathers are suitable for planting in containers because they do not grow very tall. The roots cannot tolerate waterlogging. Cover the bottom of the container with pottery shards and stones so that the roots do not stand in water. A planter with a drainage hole is ideal so that excess water can drain away. In pots, bell heathers adorn sunny to partially shaded balconies. Depending on the species, you should ensure adequate winter protection. Since the substrate in the bucket freezes more quickly, winter-hardy varieties should also be protected from frost.
Watering bell heather
Erica gracilis and Erica tetralix have higher water requirements. Drought quickly causes the dwarf shrubs to dry out. Check the moisture content of the substrate regularly during hot summer months. Potted plants need to be watered more frequently because the substrate dries out more quickly. Use lime-free water. Rainwater is ideal.
Fertilize bell heather properly
As plants in nutrient-poor locations, bell heathers rarely need fertilizer. Special fertilizers for azaleas and rhododendrons stimulate growth spurts in the dwarf shrubs. Potted plants enjoy additional nutrients every four weeks. For these plants you can use a liquid flowering plant fertilizer in low concentration.
Cut bell heather correctly
Every year after flowering, the withered inflorescences can be cut off. This encourages the dwarf shrubs to form fresh shoots. They grow bushy and avoid internal baldness. If you cut the bell heather back to around two thirds in the first year, the young plant will sprout particularly vigorously. In subsequent years you can cut the shrub back to just above the previous year's cutting height.
hardy
Not every bell heather is equally hardy. The Erica gracilis, which comes from South Africa, can tolerate temperatures in the single-digit minus range. Below -6 °C the roots freeze. Erica tetralix is well hardy and can withstand lower temperatures down to double digits. Since the bushes are evergreen, they need enough water even in winter. Water the plants on frost-free days to avoid drought stress.
Depending on the species and with appropriate winter protection, potted plants can be left outside. Non-winter-hardy species spend the cold months in bright winter quarters with temperatures between five and ten degrees Celsius. Your root ball must not dry out in winter.read more
Fungal infestation
Fungus can spread under suboptimal site conditions. These can cause serious damage to the plants and should be combated quickly.
Mildew
The spores settle on the shoots and leaves and leave a mealy coating. You can fight the fungus with a mixture of ten percent whole milk and 90 percent water. Spray the affected plants regularly with the solution. Affected shoots should be cut off generously.
Gray horse
The fungus colonizes rotten parts of plants that develop due to waterlogging. The bushes dry out because they cannot maintain their water balance. Generously remove infected plant parts and roots. Allow the plant to air dry before planting the root ball.
If gray mold has spread in the moorland, the plants should be temporarily placed in pots with germ-free substrate. Replace the substrate and plant the dwarf shrubs as soon as the risk of gray mold infestation has been eliminated.
Pests
Occasionally bell heathers are attacked by pests that spread in dry and warm conditions.
Heather Leaf Beetle
The pests eat leaves and shoot tips. Beetle larvae feed on the fine outer skin of the leaves, making them appear dried out. In the evening the beetles can be collected from the plants. A spray treatment with plant broths helps against larvae.
Aphids
They can be combated with oil-containing preparations. Spray the plants with neem or tea tree oil. The greasy film covers shoots and leaves, trapping pests underneath.
Tip
The rustic bell heather looks particularly good in the silver zinc pot. In the galvanized watering can with patina, the flower-rich dwarf shrub beautifies cottage gardens.
Varieties
- Beauty Queens(R): Erica gracilis series. A cultivar with yellow foliage. Piston-shaped inflorescences with purple-pink, red or white flowers.
- Alba: Erica tetralix variety. Light gray to greenish foliage, silvery hairy. Flowers white, between June and October.
- Pink Star: Erica tetralix variety. Foliage silvery gray-green. Flowers light pink, from July to October.
- Con Underwood: Erica tetralix strain. Upright growth, foliage grey-green. Flowers dark colored, purple to pink. Blooms from July to October.
