Heather plant named Erica `Augustina`

The present invention relates to a new and distinct cultivar of Heather plant named Erica Augustina, a seedling of unknown pollen parent growing in a field of Erica persoluta `Sunset`, the variety believed to be its seed parent, where it was selected because of its blooming habit which is earlier than that of any Heather variety familiar to me, long stems and attractive deep, rich rose-magenta color.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
This invention relates to a new and distinct variety of the Ericaceae 
family which as been named Erica `Augustina`. This new Heather variety was 
discovered by me in the Spring of 1985. I discovered thousands of little 
seedlings growing in between the plants and rows of a cultivated field of 
Erica persoluta `Sunset` (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 5,336) in my commercial 
nursery at Watsonville, Calif. Erica persoluta `Sunset` is believed to be 
the seed parent of the new variety and the pollen parent is unknown. Over 
a period of weeks these tiny seedlings, which had apparently germinated 
from seeds deposited by the Erica persoluta `Sunset` plants the previous 
season, were dug up and potted and placed in a lath-house. By August of 
the same year, I began to plant the healthiest survivors of the 
"volunteer" seedlings in a field by themselves. Approximately 22,000 
seedlings were planted. 
In August of 1986, I found two plants from this field in full bloom. The 
plants were tall and have a beautiful rosy color. I kept the field of 
plants for another year and in August of 1987, I observed that the same 
two plants had retained the characteristics identified the previous year: 
color, length, and especially early blooming habit. Most significant was 
the blooming period, which predeeds the well-known variety Erica 
Regerminans by at least eight (8) weeks. 
In January 1988, I selected one of the plants to proprogate and named the 
new plant `Augustina`. The plant was dug up and potted in a large 
container and placed in the lath-house to continue growing for propagative 
stock. By August 1988, I had over three thousand (3000) rooted plants, 
which has now resulted in a field of blooming plants of sufficient size to 
assure that the new variety will hold its novel characteristics. 
The closest commercial cultivar to my new variety of which I am aware is 
the Heather Erica Regerminan. The distinguishing characteristics which are 
outstanding in the new cultivar and which distinguish it from Erica 
Regerminan are as follows: 
1. Erica `Augustina` blooms about mid-August, eight to ten weeks earlier 
than the closest commercial cultivar Erica Regerminans, which blooms in 
late October or early November. 
2. Erica `Augustina` is a deeper, richer, rose-magenta color than Erica 
Regerminan. 
3. Erica `Augustina` resembles Erica Regerminan in fragrance and in the 
size and shape of the bloom. 
The geographic location where the `Augustina` was discovered is along the 
temperate central coast of California. The soil is sandy and has a pH of 
approximately 5.6. `Augustina` has been found to grow well in heavier clay 
soils with higher pH values also. 
This new variety can also tolerate several hours of below-freezing 
temperatures, and seems to resist the powdery mildew which affects the 
Erica persoluta `Sunset` heather and the persoluta heather. 
The original `Augustina` plant came from seed and I would presume they are 
also capable of producing seed. I have not looked for any seed since the 
`Augustina` is propagated by cuttings. 
The seed parent of the new variety is the Erica persoluta `Sunset`, but the 
pollen parent is not known; therefore I am not able to determine the 
species affiliation of `Augustina`.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING 
The following is a detailed description of my new Heather plant, Erica 
`Augustina`based upon observations of field-grown plants in August 1989 at 
Watsonville, Calif. The color terminology used in the following is in 
accordance with The Royal Horticultural Society Colour Chart, the colors 
specified being as close as could reasonably be determined from the very 
small flowers of this plant. 
PLANT 
Origin: Seedling. 
Parentage. 
Seed parent.--Erica persoluta `Sunset`. 
Classification: 
Botanic.--Erica `Augustina` 
Commercial.--`Augustina` Heather. 
Form: Woody shrub, perennial. 
Shape: Generally upright with stems curving slightly to accommodate 
fullness. 
Height: About 2 feet. 
Main stem length: Maximum 2 feet. 
Branching: Generous, Pruned yearly to encourage fullness. 
Growth: Upright with woody, flexible strength. 
Foliage: Tiny needle-like leaves most dense on the flower bearing branches 
of main stems over entire plant. 
Size of leaf.--1/8 to 1/4 inch long, less than 1/16 inch wide. 
Shape.--Long, narrow. 
Color.--Mature foliage dark green (RHS 139A). 
Texture.--Smooth. 
THE BUD 
Size: 1/8 inch or less diameter; 3/8 inch or less length. 
Shape: Tear-drop with rounded base resting in calyx. 
Color: RHS 70B. 
Rate of opening: Progressive and continuous beginning at base of stem 
upwards to tip. 
INFLORESCENCE 
Blooming habit: Once annually, begining early August to mid-October. 
Size of bloom: 1/8 inch diameter and length. 
Borne: Compound raceme. Clusters with as many as twelve terminal buds. 
Shape: Bell-shaped with pinched opening. 
Appearance: Satiny. 
Color: Dusty rose magenta, RHS 70B. 
Flower stem: 
Length.--1/4 to 3 inches. 
Color.--Light brown. 
Strength.--Supple. 
Fragrance: Mildly pungent. 
Lasting quality: 
On plant.--6 to 8 (approximately). 
As cut flower.--Up to 4 weeks (approximation). 
Discoloration: fades slightly. 
Persistence: The bloom persists long after the stem ceases to draw water. 
Effects of weather: Plant can tolerate freezing tempertures for several 
hours. Over 90 degree temperatures stress the plant. 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.