Pink heather Erica gracilis

Credit: Nicola van Berkel

Pink heather Erica gracilis

Credit: Corne Brink

Pink flowers Erica gracilis

Credit: Nicola van Berkel

Green leaves heather Erica gracilis

Credit: Nicola Van Berkel

Pink flowers heather Erica gracilis

Credit: Nicola van Berkel

Erica gracilis, All Saints' Heather

While most heathers in the Erica genus are native to Europe, Erica gracilis comes to us from South Africa. This perennial of the Ericaceae family is often nicknamed All Saints' heather, because its white, pink or purple flowers appear in autumn.

How to recognize Erica gracilis, the All Saints' heather?

Erica gracilis grows to no more than 40 centimetres in height, with the same wingspan. This perennial forms a bushy shrub.

The light-green leaves are elongated and thin, like pine needles. They measure just a few millimeters, but are so numerous that they almost completely cover the upright stems.

The evergreen foliage seems to disappear in autumn, beneath the abundant flowering. From October to December, bell-shaped flowers bloom along the stems. White, bright pink or crimson, they are odorless, unlike the flowers of erica arborea (Erica arborea).

Erica gracilis is not known to be toxic to animals or humans. However, All Saints' Heather is not an edible plant. Ingestion of leaves, stems or flowers can cause digestive disorders.

Our maintenance tips

Erica gracilis are easy-care plants. Once well established, they require almost no care.

Watering

Erica gracilis appreciate freshness. Their soil must be kept slightly moist in spring and summer. But the plant doesn't like excess. Be careful not to soak the substrate!

Provide water at room temperature, without lime. You can, for example, collect rainwater or use filtered water.

Once you've watered your Erica gracilis, empty any stagnant water from the saucer or planter. It may rot the roots.

Repotting

Soak the root ball of your All Saints' Heather to rehydrate it. Shake the plant to remove excess water.

Get a pierced terracotta pot. You can make a bed of clay balls at the bottom to improve drainage. Mix at least 25% heather soil with ordinary potting compost. Pour on a layer of substrate and plant your All Saints' Heather.

Water generously to remove air bubbles and encourage rooting.

Fertilization

You can stimulate the growth of your plant during its growth phase, in spring and summer, with fertilizer.

Apply a fertilizer for heathland plants every two weeks. Follow the manufacturer's instructions to avoid damaging the foliage.

Prune

You are not obliged to prune your Erica gracilis. You can, however, shorten branches with a clean, sharp tool to maintain a compact, rounded habit. Don't cut into old wood: the plant won't recover.

Also remove any spent flowers.

Plantation

Once the last spring frosts have passed, you can plant.

Soak the root ball of your Erica gracilis plant. This will help the plant adapt better to its new environment.

Dig a planting hole twice as deep and wider than the root ball to prepare the soil. Erica gracilis likes acidic, well-draining soil. If this is not the case in your garden, mix 2/3 heather soil with 1/3 ordinary potting soil. You can add sand to improve drainage.

Lay down a layer of substrate and plant your Erica gracilis. The root ball should be level with the soil. Fill in the planting hole and water generously.

You can also mulch the base with organic matter to keep the soil fresh.

Cutting

Cutting is carried out during the strong growth phase, generally in spring and early summer.

Locate a healthy, flowerless stem. It should be semi-woody, but still flexible.

Cut a ten- to fifteen-centimetre section just below a node. Use clean, sharp secateurs to facilitate healing.

Remove the lower leaves and keep only the upper pair.

Pour a mixture of potting soil and sand into a pot whose hole has been plugged with a pebble. Push half the stem of your cutting into the center without watering.

Place the pot in a mini greenhouse; if you don't have one, you can cover the plant with a translucent bag or a cut bottle. Place your graft in a bright spot, without direct sunlight.

Every day, aerate for a few minutes to drain off condensation and mist.

Disease / Threat

Phytophtora

Information

Family	Ericaceae - Ericaceae
Type	Erica - Erica
Species	All Saints' Heather - Erica gracilis
Lifecycle	Perennial
Foliage	Evergreen
Exposure	Half-shade
Substrat	Humus soil
Planting methods	Open ground In pots In tubs Planter
Category	Flowery
Tags	Beginner Flowery
Origin	South Africa
Hardiness (USDA)	9b
Leaf color
Flower colors