Erica carnea, Alpine heather

Your Alpine heather likes humidity. The plant appreciates frequent and generous watering. But its roots may rot if you overwater. To get the dosage right, leave the soil to dry out partially between two waterings (by about a centimetre). The substrate should always remain slightly moist.

After each watering, remove any stagnant water from the saucer or planter to avoid drowning the roots.

Soak the root ball of your Alpine 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 Alpine heather.

Water generously to remove air bubbles and encourage rooting.

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.

You are not obliged to prune your Erica carnea. 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.

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

Soak the root ball of your Erica carnea 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. Alpine heather 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 carnea. 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 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.