Content
- The snow heath - unrestricted winter hardy?
- Do not confuse the snow heath with the heather
- A winter ornament for the balcony box
- Precautions for the care of the snow heath
- Tips
The snow heath even blooms in the snow
The snow heath - unrestricted winter hardy?
The snow heath (Erica carnea) occurs in the wild in subalpine and alpine locations up to an altitude of about 2,700 m above sea level. As a winter or early spring bloomer, the snow or winter heather can bring some color change in the otherwise rather monotonous winter hue of the garden.
Early article Cut the winter heather properlyDo not confuse the snow heath with the heather
It is not by chance that the snow heath is too often confused with the so-called heather. At the same time, this plant, also known as the broom heath, grows more on boggy-acid soil of milder heathland, while the alpine snow heath feels particularly comfortable on calcareous soils. The heather usually shows great differences in the resistance to frost between different cultivars and needs in winter cold weather. On the other hand, the snow heather (which can definitely be determined on its leaves) seldom freezes when there are really exceptionally cold temperature conditions or care mistakes have been made.
A winter ornament for the balcony box
Since most balcony flowers are only one year old or at least not outdoors to overwinter, window boxes are often completely removed in winter or at least "winter" overwintered. But that does not have to be, because the snow heath is also well suited for planting in the balcony box. However, one problem may be that the optimal time to plant the snow heath is actually spring. This can be solved with a second set of window boxes. The planters with the perennial snow heath are then placed in the summer just as sunny a spot in the garden and watered sufficiently. Finally, in the autumn, the "appearance" on the balcony takes place, which can last until April or May, depending on the weather.
Precautions for the care of the snow heath
During the winter months, the following factors affect the heather:
In a balcony box, the plants of the snow heath are exposed to these environmental factors much more exposed than in the outdoor soil. Therefore, the otherwise actually frosty snow heath in the balcony box should get a certain winter protection, if very pronounced frosts are to be expected. Since wind and sun can dry out the plant substrate dangerously, the areas between the plants should be covered with some leaves or brushwood and adequate irrigation should be ensured on frost-free days.
Tips
Alleged frost damage does not always go back to a temperature-related dying of the plants. In order to prevent the plants from killing from within after a few years, they should be pruned as regularly as possible.