Erica spp.

[Gustavo Martins]

Not much info on Erica spp. (I think their common name is heat or heather) but I think that their growth habit lends quite well to bonsai with gnarly trunks and dead wood. Does anyone has any experience with these? How should these be trimmed? They grow in rocks with virtually no soil so they should be quite resistant.

They look natural literati to me.

This species is also endemic so it should be well suited for my climate.

Check some pics of some larger individuals Erica azorica

 

[Gustavo Martins]

Anyone?

 

[Leo in N E Illinois]

I have no experience with Erica. But I agree, they look interesting. The needle like foliage reminds me of club moss. They may, or may not branch where you would like for "traditional bonsai". The only way to find out is to dig one up. That is how the Japanese discovered which of their locally native trees worked for bonsai, trial and error.

The tiny bell shaped flowers are a delightful feature. Erica is worth experimenting with.

 

[Bonsai Nut]

I have no experience with this species.

However there are many endemic species of heathers in the US. When I go out collecting California junipers I often hesitate on some of the heather and scrub that is out in the desert - some of which looks like it may be suitable for bonsai.

I wish I had more to offer you...

(Typical bonsainut collecting environment)

 

[sorce]

Heather is on sale at the Depot cuz the flowers faded.

Sorce

 

[Gustavo Martins]

Thanks for your input. It adds to my idea that there is not much info on them.

In the meanwhile I found a website where they made a bonsai from an Erica arborea. It's not the same species, but it proves it can be done. And it's beautiful!

I was planning to collect one next fall or winter. I will need to ask permission though because Erica azorica is protected by law. It's been overharvested in the past for burning and to making brooms, and given its restricted geographical distribution (endemic to the Azores), it's been protected against collection. It is a early successional species though and it can be found everywhere. There are many medium-sized ones on the sides of roads. I may ask to collect one of these and see if they give me permission.

I will post the progression if I can get my hands on one.

cheers

G

 

[Aiki_Joker]

Here is one (not arborea).
Slow growing in the ground and difficult to thicken if you let it bush. This is dead now. No water