The present invention relates to a new and distinct cultivar of Heather plant named `Red Pacifica`, believed to be a seedling of Erica regerminans `Pacifica` (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 5,430) and of unknown pollen parent, discovered growing in a field of Erica regerminans `Pacifica`, where it was selected because of its distinctive Magenta-Pink color, larger growth habit and slightly earlier blooming time.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
This invention relates to a new and distinct variety of the Ericaceae 
family which has been named Erica `Red Pacifica`. This new heather variety 
was discovered by me at my commercial nursery in Watsonville, Calif. It 
was discovered as a seedling growing in a cultivated field of Erica 
regerminans `Pacifica` (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 5,430), the variety believed 
to be the seed parent. The pollen parentage is unknown. It was noticed 
because of its distinctive magenta-pink color, its taller growth habit and 
earlier blooming time than the seed parent `Pacifica`. I am not able to 
determine the species affiliation of the `Red Pacifica`. 
Since my discovery of this new plant, I have reproduced it through 
successive generations by means of cuttings and have found that its 
distinctive color, size and blooming time remain true from generation to 
generation and appear to be firmly fixed. This variety is now being grown 
for the commercial marked at my nursery which is located along the 
temperate Central California coast. 
`Red Pacifica` is a regerminans-type heather and resembles its oldest 
ancestor Erica regerminans, a variety in commercial production for many 
decades, in its overall shape of the plant, size and shape of the blooms 
and the way they are borne on the stems. 
The closest commercial cultivar to my new variety, of which I am aware, is 
the Erica regerminans `Pacifica`, discovered by me several years ago. The 
characteristics which distinguish the new cultivar from Erica regerminans 
`Pacifica` are as follows: 
1. `Red Pacifica` begins to bloom in mid-September, and blooms two (2) 
weeks earlier than `Pacifica`; 
2. `Red Pacifica` has a more vivid, deeper magenta-pink color than 
`Pacifica`; and 
3. The stems of `Red Pacifica` average 6 inches more in length than 
`Pacifica` making the plant height significantly taller. 
The new cultivar, `Red Pacifica`, can also be distinguished by the 
following characteristics from another of the regerminans-type heathers, 
the cultivar `Augustina` (U.S. Plant Pat. Ser. No. 07/393,674), discovered 
and propagated by me: `Red Pacifica` begins to bloom about four (4) weeks 
after `Augustina`, and `Red Pacifica` is a paler pink color than 
`Augustina`. 
The discovery of these new heathers with different blooming times, gives 
the commercial grower the ability to provide the flower industry with 
regerminans-type heather in bloom continuously from mid-August through 
November; starting with `Augustina` blooming in mid-August and continuing 
successively with `Red Pacifica` blooming next around mid-September, 
`Pacifica` next around early October, and ending with the regerminans 
blooming in early November. 
The original `Red Pacifica` plant came from seed and I presume it is also 
capable of producing seed. I have not looked for any seed since I 
propagate `Red Pacifica` by cuttings. `Red Pacifica` is resistant to 
powdery mildew and verticillium wilt, but sensitive to phytophthora and 
pithium.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
The following is a detailed description of my new Heather plant, Erica 
regerminans `Red Pacifica`, based upon observations of field-grown plants 
in October 1989 at Watsonville, Calif. The color terminology used in the 
following is in accordance with the Royal Horticultural Society Colour 
Chart, the color specified being as close as could reasonably be 
determined from the very small flowers of this plant. I chose a color 
which averages the shades of magenta-pink found on each bloom. 
PLANT 
Origin: Seedling. 
Parentage: 
Seed parent.--Erica regerminans `Pacifica` (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 5,430). 
Pollen parent.--Unknown. 
Classification: 
Botanic.--Erica regerminans `Red Pacifica`. 
Commercial.--Red Pacifica Heather. 
Form: Woody shrub, perennial. 
Shape: Generally upright with stems curving slightly to accommodate 
fullness of plant. 
Height: Two and one-half feet. 
Main stem length: Twenty-four inches. 
Branching: Generous, pruned yearly to encourage fullness. 
Growth: Vigorous with medium strength. 
Foliage: Abundant, tiny needle-like leaves most dense on flower bearing 
branches of main stem. 
Size of leaf.--1/8 to 1/4 inch. 
Shape.--Long, and very narrow. 
Color.--Mature foliage dark green (R.H.S. 139A). 
Texture.--Smooth. 
THE BUD 
Size: 1/8 inch or less diameter. 3/16 inch or less length. 
Shape: Tear-drop with rounded base resting in calyx. 
Color: R.H.S. 70C. 
Rate of opening: Progressive and continuous beginning at base of stem and 
progressing rapidly upwards to tip. 
INFLORESCENCE 
Blooming habit: Once annually, early fall beginning mid September to the 
end of October. 
Size of bloom: Averages 1/8" in diameter and length. 
Borne: Compound raceme. Clusters with as many as 12 terminal buds. 
Shape: Bell-shaped with pinched opening. 
Appearance: Satiny. 
Color: Magenta-pink, R.H.S. 70C. 
Flower stem: 
Length.--1/4 to 6 inches. 
Color.--Light brown. 
Strength.--Woody and supple. 
Fragrance: Mildly wild. 
Branching: Upright and about 45 degree angle from main stem. 
Lasting quality: 
On plant.--2 months (approximation). 
As cut flower.--Up to 4 weeks (approximation). 
Discoloration: Slight deepening of color after full bloom. 
Persistence: The bloom persists long after the stem ceases to draw water. 
Blooms do not shed easily. 
Effects of weather: Plant can tolerate freezing temperatures for several 
hours, but can be damaged by prolonged cold. Temperatures of 90 degrees 
F.+ can stress the plant. Extended periods of hot, dry weather will 
accelerate the rate of blooming and can cause blooms to fade and decline 
more quickly. Extended wet weather causes mature blooms to turn brown.