About
Erica carnea 'Diana Young' is a named cultivar of Erica in the family Ericaceae that carries a prolonged flowering season from July to November. It forms a low, spreading mound with dense, needle-like foliage and numerous small, bell-shaped flowers. The blooms appear in clusters along short shoots and are typically in shades of pink. It suits gravel, rockery or edged planting where late-summer to autumn colour is required.
About the genus
Erica is a genus of roughly 857 species of flowering plants in the family Ericaceae. The English common names heath and heather are shared by some closely related genera of similar appearance. The genus Calluna was formerly included in Erica; it differs in having even smaller scale-leaves, and the flower corolla consisting of separate petals.
Wikipedia contributors, "Erica (plant)", CC BY-SA 4.0 — Erica (plant)
In the garden
Erica carnea 'Diana Young' is a cultivated form of the Erica genus (family Ericaceae) noted for its extended bloom period running from July to November. As with other Ericas, it produces small, bell-shaped flowers closely set along short stems, creating a long display of colour through late summer into autumn. The cultivar habit is compact and mat-forming, making it straightforward to place where a low, flowering ground cover is needed. Plant in a free-draining, ericaceous-minded spot — this group performs best where soil is on the acidic side and does not remain waterlogged. A sunny or lightly shaded aspect suits flowering and keeps the foliage neat; in heavier soils, raise the planting area or use grit to improve drainage. Water in well at planting and during prolonged dry spells while the root system establishes. Use Erica carnea 'Diana Young' at the front of mixed borders, on rock gardens, gravel slopes or beneath light-canopied conifers where its low, spreading form will not be obscured. Trim back lightly after the main flowering period to tidy growth and prevent old wood from building up, and replace a thin mulch of ericaceous compost each spring if the soil is lean.
More in the Erica genus
- Erica gracilis 'Mister X'PBR
- Erica spiculifolia 'Mila'
- Erica vagans 'Chittendenii'Cornish Heath
- Erica vagans 'Lilacina'Cornish Heath
- Erica x darleyensis 'Aurélie Brégeon'
- Erica mackayana f. eburnea 'Doctor Ronald Gray'Mackay's Heath
- Erica x darleyensis f. albiflora 'Ada S. Collings'