Heath plant named Heidi
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     This invention relates to a new and distinct plant variety of the Ericaceae family which has been named Erica persoluta `Heidi` by the assignee of the invention. This new heather variety was discovered by the inventor as a seedling of unknown pollen parentage growing in a cultivated field of Erica persoluta `Sunset` (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 5,336), the cut-flower variety believed to be the seed parent, where it was noticed because of its intense red-purple, magenta colored blooms, and dwarfish growth habit compared to the field cut flower heath varieties, which make it desirable for potted plant culture. The new variety resembles its seed parent persoluta `Sunset` in its early blooming habit. 
     The characteristics of the new variety that make it desirable for potted plant culture are: its slower growth rate and natural branching with little or no pruning which results in a shorter plant with a full dense appearance. 
     The closest varieties of heath, cultivated as potted plants, of which I am aware are Erica persoluta and Erica persoluta `Rosemarie`. `Heidi` and `Rosemarie` are very similar in their dwarfish growth habit which differs greatly from the growth habit of Erica persoluta. These growth habit characteristics are: 
     1. slower growth rate and shorter height, 
     2. compact, dense appearance, and 
     3. natural abundant branching with minimal or no pruning. 
     In bloom color, `Heidi` is darker in color than `Rosemarie` and lighter in color than Erica persoluta. 
     In blooming time, at Half Moon Bay, Calif., `Heidi` starts to bloom 1 to 2 weeks later than `Rosemarie`, and 1 to 2 months earlier than Erica persoluta. `Heidi` normally reaches bloom maturity from mid January through mid February, and `Rosemarie` reaches bloom maturity from December through February. This makes `Heidi` and `Rosemarie` available for the Valentine Day market. Erica persoluta does not reach bloom maturity until March. 
     `Heidi` also differs from `Rosemarie` in its darker green foliage color during the vegatative stage, and its distinct tight plumed foliage having very erect and stiff stems. `Rosemarie` has needlelike foliage and stems that give a much looser appearance. 
     Asexual reproduction of the new cultivar through successive generations by means of cuttings performed under the direction and control of the inventor at Half Moon Bay, shows that its shorter, compact growth habit, natural abundant branching, early blooming time and intense red-purple color, remain true from generation to generation and appear to be firmly fixed. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING 
     The accompanying drawing is a color photograph of a potted plant of the new variety illustrating the overall appearance and form of the plant, shorter height, dense compact appearance and intense red-purple blooms. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING 
     The following is a detailed description of the new variety with color designations according to the R.H.S. Colour Chart published by The Royal Horticultural Society of London, England. The following description is based on observations of well fertilized 4&#34; potted plants of 12 to 14 months of age from initial propagation which were grown outside under saran in a commercial nursery at Half Moon Bay, Calif., where temperatures average from 55 to 65 degrees F. during the summer months, and 45 to 55 degrees F. during the winter months. 
     Color designation and other values stated may deviate slightly from the stated values from flowering to flowering, but the deviations will be within the range expected from varying environmental, seasonal, and cultural conditions. 
     The Plant 
     Origin: Seedling. 
     Parentage: 
     Seed parent.--Erica persoluta `Sunset`. 
     Pollen parent.--Unknown. 
     Classification: 
     Botanic.--Erica persoluta `Heidi`. 
     Commercial.--`Heidi`. 
     Form: Perennial. 
     Shape: Upright, stems curving slightly to accommodate fullness of plant. 
     Height: Mean 11&#34; to 12&#34;. 
     Girth: Mean 5&#34;. 
     Branching: Naturally abundant with minimal or no pruning necessary. 
     Growth: Slow growth rate resulting in reduced height of plant. 
     Rooting time: 3 weeks. 
     Foliage: Abundant, with distinct tight plumed foliage, very erect and stiff. 
     Size of leaf.--Mean 1/8&#34; long and less than 1/16&#34; wide. 
     Shape of leaf.--Plumedlike. 
     Character.--Sulcate. 
     Color.--RHS 143A. 
     Texture.--Smooth. 
     Hardiness: Can tolerate a temperature range of 28 to 100 degrees F. 
     Disease resistance: Considerable resistance to fungus type diseases. Common diseases include phythium and phytoplhora. 
     Seed production: Sparce; commercially produced asexually by cuttings. 
     Effects of weather: Can tolerate freezing temperatures for one week. Over 90 degree F. temperatures stress the plant. 
     In general, the foliage is too tiny to determine further characteristics by on plant observation. 
     The Bud 
     Size: 
     Length.--1/8&#34; and less. 
     Diameter.--1/16&#34; and less. 
     Rate of opening: Rapid, progressive and continuous beginning at the base of stem and progressing to the tip of the stem. 
     Petals: Corolline flowers in which the sepals are relatively insignificant. 
     Color: R.H.S. 72C. 
     Inflorescence 
     Blooming habit: Annually, from mid January through mid February. 
     Size of bloom: 1/8&#34; by 1/16&#34;. 
     Borne: Compound raceme. Clusters with as many as seven terminal buds. 
     Shape: Urceolate. 
     Appearance: Satiny. 
     Color: RHS 71C to 71D in overall appearance of the plant. 
     Flower Stem: 
     Length.--Mean 1/4&#34; to 3&#34;. 
     Color.--RHS 177D. 
     Strength.--Woody and supple. 
     Discoloration: Does not fade. 
     Effects of weather: Prolonged exposure to hot or wet weather is detrimental to plant appearance. Extended periods of hot dry sunshine will accelerate blooming and cause blooms to fade and decline more quickly, shortening its lasting quality. Extended wet weather will cause more mature blooms in the clusters to turn brown. 
     Persistence: Blooms persists long after the stem ceases to draw water. Blooms do not shed easily. 
     Fragrance: Mild. 
     Lasting quality: On plant: 2 months. As a cut flower: 2 weeks. 
     The outstanding characteristics of this new plant resides in its early blooming from mid January through mid February for the Valentine&#39;s Day market, whereas Erica persoluta does not begin to bloom until March. Its natural compact growth habit makes it suitable for pot plant culture, whereas its parent Erica persoluta `Sunset` is of the cut flower variety and is taller. 
     
         ______________________________________                                    
TABLE OF COMPARISON                                                       
                     `ROSE-    ERICA                                      
PLANT  NEW CULTIVAR  MARIE`    PERSOLUTA                                  
______________________________________                                    
Height a 4&#34; pot will be                                                   
                     Same      a 4&#34; pot will be 10&#34;                       
       8&#34; or 9&#34; high in        to 12&#34; high in                             
       18 mos. growing         18 mos growing                             
       time with little or     time with                                  
       no pruning              numerous pruning.                          
Form   short, dense  Same      woody shrub                                
       appearing, compact                                                 
       woody shrub                                                        
Shape  Upright, stems                                                     
                     Same      Upright, stems                             
       curving slightly to     spreading to                               
       accomodate fullness     produce fullness                           
       of plant                of plant                                   
Branch-                                                                   
       naturally generous,                                                
                     Same      Generous, several                          
ing    minimal or no           prunings necessary                         
       pruning needed          to encourage                               
                               branching                                  
Growth upright but   Same      upright with woody                         
       naturally short and     flexible strength                          
       branching                                                          
       with woody, flexible                                               
       strength                                                           
Blooming                                                                  
       Annual,       annual,   Annual,                                    
Season:                                                                   
       mid January   Dec.      early March                                
       through mid   thru Feb. through late March                         
       February                                                           
Foliage                                                                   
Color  R.H.S. 143A   R.H.S.    R.H.S. 143A                                
                     144A      with 59A                                   
                               streaking through                          
                               the leaves.                                
Size   1/8&#34;          Same      Same                                       
Shape  plumedlike, with                                                   
                     Acerose   Acerose                                    
       stiff, erect stems                                                 
                     and stems                                            
                     give a                                               
                     loose                                                
                     appearance                                           
Quantity                                                                  
       Abundant      Same      Same                                       
Bloom                                                                     
Size   1/8&#34; × 1/16&#34;                                                 
                     Same      3/16&#34; × 1/16&#34;                        
Shape  Urceolate     Same      Ovoid                                      
Color  R.H.S. 71C    R.H.S. 66D                                           
                               R.H.S. 70A to 70B                          
       to 71D                                                             
Rate of                                                                   
       Rapid, progressive                                                 
                     Same      Same                                       
opening:                                                                  
       and continuous                                                     
       beginning at the                                                   
       base of the stem                                                   
       and progressing to                                                 
       the tip of the stem.                                               
______________________________________