Erica tetralix Tina

The 'Tina' Erica tetralix is a variety of marsh heather with very pretty small bell-shaped flowers in a light pink-violet colour. They are gathered at the top of the stems from August to November. The evergreen foliage is ornamental, with a beautiful gray-green colour and silvery reflections, with a velvety texture due to the presence of a fuzz on the leaves. The plant forms a low, spreading ground cover that expands over time, less dense than other heathers. It should be planted in well-drained and moist, acidic soil.

The Erica tetralix is a native species of Western Europe, especially in regions influenced by the maritime climate. II can be found in marshes and along the edges of ponds. It is hardy down to -30º C. This species is attractive for its spreading habit, bright foliage, and charming pink flowering in summer. This small evergreen shrub, with a spreading habit, will reach about 20 cm in height and 30 cm in width at maturity, with a relatively slow growth rate. Its lifespan is about 10 to 15 years. It usually blooms between June and August, depending on the climate, for several weeks. Its flowers are small bell-shaped urns that lighten in colour. These 5 to 9 mm long flowers are gathered in sparse umbels of 5 to 12 pendulous flowers, slightly fragrant, and are carried at the tops of the stems, amidst thread-like sessile leaves arranged in whorls of 4. The branches and foliage are covered with sticky glandular fuzz that catches the light.

The 'Tina' variety was discovered in the wild on Kampina Heath in the Netherlands, by Mr. Zwijnenburg in 1965 and introduced by P.G. Zwijnenburg in 1967. It has a flowering in small pale violet-pink bells, gathered in terminal clusters, less abundant than in other heather species that bloom along the entire stem. It blooms from August to November. It reaches 20 cm in height and 30 to 40 cm in width at maturity.

This 'Tina' marsh heather can be planted with other heathers to create beautiful carpets with diverse foliage and flowering. In a heather bed, it makes an excellent ground cover, but it also pairs well with dwarf conifers, with which it harmonizes in terms of foliage colour and texture. Its evergreen gray-green, fuzzy foliage brings life to the front of beds or borders all year round, especially beautiful with low blue-flowered plants like small campanulas or the Veronica umbrosa 'Georgia Blue', which is so charming.