I bare balcony? It takes 3 vases of 20 cm Erica and a light 10 -liter soil to immediately transform the atmosphere: in a few hours you will see color spots that last 6 months. This rustic plant, cheap and available in many varieties, is the secret to giving life to balconies and flower beds without great efforts. He resists well in the cold, he does not fear the wind and with his prolonged blooms he manages to bring joy even on gray days.
The Erica is not only an ornamental plant, but a real ally for those who want a flower -proof flower corner. Its ability to adapt to reduced spaces makes it perfect for vases, cassettes and even small urban flower beds. Once arranged in the right soil and with a sunny exposure or half shadow, it continues to flourish without great maintenance needs. It is the typical plant that, once planted, seems almost to get away with it: ideal for those who love immediate results. A balcony decorated with the Erica becomes like an impressionist painting: spots of purple, pink, red and white that mix by creating unique chromatic games. This is why many amateur gardeners consider it indispensable: a glance reminiscent of a natural carpet, capable of capturing attention even from afar. And if the flowerbed is anonymous or the terrace seems to be off, there is enough some erico plant to restore character to the space.
Those who tried it on balconies exposed to the north say they have found a reliable partner on this plant, resistant to temperature changes. Also used by Florovivaisti for seasonal installations, Erica shows that beauty does not necessarily require continuous maintenance. Not surprisingly, it is one of the protagonists of autumn sales in nurseries, where it is often proposed already ready in mixed compositions with ornamental or cyclamen cabbage.
Easy ideas for using Erica in autumn
Creating compositions with Erica is simpler than it seems. There is no need to experience as a gardener, just a little imagination and the desire to dare with the colors. Each vase can become a small natural mosaic, and the beauty is that these plants coexist well with many other seasonal species. A flower bed combined with ornamental grainaceae, for example, recalls a Scottish landscape, with that mix of rigor and wildness that always fascinates. After all, who has never wished a colored corner even when the other flowers disappear? With Erica it is possible: continue to flourish until late spring. Each variety brings with it a different touch, from intense rose to white white, and mixing them means creating a small domestic rainbow. Nature, in this case, becomes the best decorator.
An interesting way of using it is in the balcony boxes: by positioning variety of different heights, an effect is obtained to climb very scenographic. The combination with ornamental cabbage, cyclamen or small evergreen such as miniature bosso makes the composition even richer. And for the flower beds? Just plant it in groups of 5 or 7 specimens to have a remarkable visual impact, similar to a brushstroke of color that breaks the monotony. Before moving on to practical ideas, it is worth remembering one thing: the Erica is like a wool scarf in autumn. It is not needed, but once you use it, you ask yourself how you did without. The same goes for gardens and balconies: with her, the atmosphere changes radically.
Necessary to cultivate the Erica
To set up balconies and flower beds with the Erica you need few materials. Better to prepare in advance, so as to have everything in hand and work without interruption.
Here’s what it takes to leave:
- Vases or boxes with drainage holes
- Light and well draining soil, possibly acidic
- Gravel or expanded clay for the bottom
- Erics of Eric in pots (choose different varieties for chromatic effects)
- Watering can with thin spout
- Gardening gloves to protect your hands
Once the material is ready, the transformation is a question of a few gestures. With the right tools, even those who have never cultivated plants can get surprising results.
Quick steps to plant the Erica
Many think they take hours to set up a flowery balcony. In reality, with the Erica, a few simple steps are enough. Here they are, to follow without haste:
- Prepare the vase with a layer of gravel or expanded clay on the bottom.
- Fill for two thirds with light and acid soil.
- Gently extract the Erica plant from the cultivation vase.
- Place it in the center or in groups, according to the design you want to obtain.
- Add more soil to cover the roots well.
- It water with gently, without leaving stagnation.
In less than half an hour, the balcony changes its face. It is the demonstration that it does not always take a long time to have an effective result.
Errors to avoid with the Erica
The Eric is resistant, but there are small mistakes that can compromise their beauty. Knowing what to avoid helps to keep the plant healthy longer. The most common mistakes are:
- Use too compact universal soil
- Export it into completely shaded areas
- Water with excessive frequency
- Neglect the drainage of the vessels
- Prick it drasticly during flowering
After all, it is enough to cure it: it is more a matter of attention than of skill. And who has passed us, knows it well.
Where and when to cultivate the Erica
The best time to plant the Erica is autumn, just when it starts to bloom. So you immediately enjoy the chromatic show. The ideal areas are balconies and gardens with sunny exposure or half shadow, provided they are repaired by the stagnation of water. In the flower beds you can also plant near stones or walls: it creates a natural contrast that recalls mountain landscapes.
Those who live in very cold areas can be calm: the Erica resists well even at temperatures below zero. On the contrary, the excessive heat can make it suffer, so it is better to avoid hot exposures in the height of summer. In general, it is a plant that finds its best time between October and April.
Practical advice of nurserymen
A small anecdote told by a nurseryman confirms his versatility: a customer wanted to rejoice the shop entrance with resistant and inexpensive plants. He chose about ten vases of mixed erica. After months, despite cold and rain, they were still there, flowery and lively. An example that shows how little commitment requires.
Among the most useful advice is to combine different varieties to prolong flowering. Some begin in September, others resist until March. Mixing them means having color all winter. In addition, the nurserymen suggest not to throw away the plants once dry: they can be pruned and leave to rest, ready to be reborn in the following season.
Those who want an even more scenic effect can use vases of different heights, creating a sort of small theatrical scenography. It is a simple but effective trick, often used in gardening fairs to attract attention.
Erica is the simple answer to those looking for a balcony or a flowerbed that know how to surprise even in the middle of autumn. Resistant, colorful and very easy to manage, it gives that hot atmosphere reminiscent of an enveloping blanket on cold days.
If you want to give character to your outdoor space without complicating your life, this plant is the perfect ally: with a few gestures it gives months of color and lightness.
Photo © Stock.adobe
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