Mediterranean Heather Plant: A Comprehensive Guide to Growing

Mediterranean Heather is a brightly coloured flowering shrub, of the genus Erica, native to the Mediterranean region, northern Europe, and North Africa. Its showy flowering and wide adaptability has made it a popular plant for gardens and landscaping the world over, once established. This article provides a comprehensive overview of the Mediterranean Heather plant from its origin and attributes to its growth and care tips.

What is Mediterranean Heather?

Mediterranean Heather belongs to the group of flowering plants called the Ericaceae, which is a very large botanical family with approximately 4,000 members, many of which are familiar to us, such as heather, heath and rhododendron. Mediterranean Heather is an Erica plant, a close relative of the genus Calluna (there are more than 700 species of Erica but, outside of tropical areas, only a handful are cultivated as garden plants, mostly those native to the Mediterranean).

For its ornamental value is this plant essentially as a bedding plant. Its tiny, bell-shaped, pink, purple, white or red flowers open from late winter to early spring, providing a fleeting splash of colour in the earlier spring months when little else is in bloom. Delicate and needle-like, the foliage, too, has ornamental value: green to bronze, depending on the season and variety.

Origins and Natural Habitat

Mediterranean Heather, as its name suggests, is native to the Mediterranean Basin of Europe and northern Africa; specifically, to countries like Spain, Italy, Greece, and Morocco. In its native territory, Mediterranean Heather is found in a variety of conditions, from coastal cliffs and sand dunes to rocky hillside and open woodlands. Part of what makes Mediterranean Heather so popular in landscaping all over the world is its adaptable nature; it is not picky about its environment.

This plant adapts perfectly to hot, dry summers and mild, wet winters, with its natural reservoirs of water, and to poor, draining soils. It is also often found growing with other Mediterranean plants that are adapted to dry situations, including lavender, rosemary and cistus. Mediterranean Heather is therefore best suited to garden situations where these conditions describe the environment.

Types of Mediterranean Heather

There are many different species of Erica commonly known as Mediterranean Heather. Some of the most popular types are:

Erica multiflora

It is sometimes called ‘Mediterranean heath’ or ‘many-flowered heath’. Erica multiflora is possibly the most characteristic species of the Mediterranean Heaths. It is a small, evergreen shrub, up to 1-2ft high, with large quantities of tiny pink to lilac flowers, that, like E multiflora, often cover it densely from late summer to early winter. Its main attraction is that it is a very hardy species, tolerating all sorts of soils, which makes it sought after in gardens.

Erica arborea

Often referred to as ‘tree heath’, Erica arborea is much taller than the other species, often reaching 20ft or even more in the wild but typically 6-10ft in the garden. The dense clusters of white or pale-pink flowers are produced in spring and, because of its stature, Erica arborea makes a good specimen plant or hedge.

Erica carnea

It’s not actually Mediterranean, but rather a relative – Erica carnea – is and is included in the group named the Mediterranean Heather. A native of the Alps and high mountains in western Europe, and elsewhere, the flowers bloom in late winter to spring, even in snow, and are pink or purple, although white is also available and available. It is a low-growing groundcover shrub somewhat slow-spreading, quite suitable for rock gardens or borders.

Growing Mediterranean Heather

It is possible to grow this delightful plant in your garden, provided you understand its requirements. If not, it will soon show you. Here is a guide for growing Mediterranean Heather.

Climate and Location

Mediterranean Heather thrives in any region with a climate resembling its native climate. It does especially well in areas with a mild winter (wetter than drier) and hot dry summer, and if you live in Mediterranean-climate conditions, you can grow it with little effort. If you live where winters are cold, hard, and last a long while, you might need to either protect the plant or grow Erica in pots that you can move indoors when it’s very cold outside.

Position your plant where it will receive full sun to partial shade. Although Mediterranean Heather can tolerate dappled, shaded areas (especially in warmer climates), it needs at least 4-6 hours of direct sunlight a day to bloom well.

Soil Requirements

Mediterranean Heather requires necessary conditions to thrive. This drought-tolerant plant is adapted to grow well in mineral soils that are well-drained, acidic and slightly sandy or clayey, with a pH between 4.5-6.0. If your soil isn’t particularly sandy, consider amending it by loosening it with the addition of compost, humus or inert materials, ideally for 24 inches or deeper. Your soil may also require some amount of organic material, like peat moss, to increase the soils acidity.

Do not plant in a soil that is too rich, as this will promote excessive growth at the expense of flowering; more fertile soils simply encourage the growth of woody stems on Erica plants, rather than the delightful flowers we would prefer. A low-nutrient site will also prevent the development of diseases, particularly root rot in the Heather.

Watering and Irrigation

When fully established, the Mediterranean Heather is extremely drought-tolerant and requires little to no supplemental watering. For one year after planting, watering should occur every week or two to help the plant establish its roots. After this period, watering should be significantly diminished, especially during the summer months when the plant is designed by nature to go long periods of time without water in its natural environment.

But be careful of the plant if you let it dry out for too long without watering – if the leaves start to wilt or go brown, it needs a good soaking. Avoid “drowning” the plant – Erica tends to develop root rot if left in waterlogged conditions, especially in the winter.

Fertilization

Mediterranean Heather is a minimal feeder, as long as your soil does not drain too well, so do not expect to have to fertilise it unless you want to promote a bit more vigorous growth and flowering, at which point you can also apply a bit more of a balanced, slow-release, soil fertiliser in spring. Make sure it’s a fertiliser specifically for acid-loving plants to help maintain your soil’s acidity.

Or else, you can surround the plant with a ring of organic materials such as pine needles or bark chips. As they break down, they will release nutrients and maintain the pH.

Pruning and Maintenance

It’s important to prune Mediterranean Heather annually to keep it looking tidy and encourage new, dense growth – early summer, right after flowering is a good time. Use clean, sharp shears to snip back any spent flowers and any legs or excessively long branches. Don’t hack into the old wood, Erica plants never resprout from old wood.

Regular pruning will keep the plant compact and bushy, which in turn encourages the plant to flower even more prolifically the next time around. Dead or diseased branches can invite fungal issues that can spread. The usual culprits for such conditions are humidity and poor ventilation.

Pests and Diseases

Mediterranean Heather is a hardy and usually pest- and disease-free plant. Several pests and diseases can attack it, however, especially when grown under incorrect conditions.

Common Pests

One of the worst of these, damaging many specimens of Mediterranean Heather, is the heather beetle (Lochmaea suturalis). A little dark brown beetle, its larvae feed on the leaves of Heather, stripping the leaves off the stems so that, if the infestation is not stopped, severe defoliation can occur and death of the plant results. Regular inspection and removal of affected plants can help to control this pest.

Occasionally, aphids and spider mites can infest an Erica plant as well, especially during times of drought and stress. With either of these pests, until they can be controlled, I suggest easing off on fertilising, giving your plant. Then I treat both pests with a dose of insecticidal soap or neem oil, following the pack recommendations.