By Jerryp
United States 
Not all heathers are Ericas, and therefore one should not lump them together. There are over 800 varieties of Erica, most originally from S. Africa. There should be a category under E for Erica, which gives it more justice than calling it a heather.
Calling an Erica a heather, is like calling a Giant Sequoia a tree. I grow Erica cerinthoides. I do have a few others though.
12 Jun, 2013
Answers
This site is populated by it's contributers, Jerry, who are mainly based in Britain. I agree that there are many more members of the Erica genus than the heathers that we grow in out gardens but, regarding the 'heather' category, it is simply that no one has submitted any pictures or the other Erics.
12 Jun, 2013
I hope to put up some Erica photos soon as I like this site.
The best book on Ericas is -Ericas of South Africa-, by Schumann and Kirsten.
Ha Ha Derek. Hope you don't go to S. Africa w/ Schumann and climb to six thousand feet and say, "look, a heather !"
12 Jun, 2013
If you are referring to Goypedia then you can pm the boys and suggest a new erica category and offer to moderate :-)
12 Jun, 2013
Sounds good Moon.
12 Jun, 2013
Will any of the heathers thrive in lime cLay? I have only ever grown them in winter containers, but would like them in the ground if poss.
13 Jun, 2013
All Erica and Calluna require acid soil, except the European species of Erica which flower in winter or early spring, Rosiebeck, which are reasonably lime tolerant. Erica manipuliflora, E. darlyensis would be examples.
13 Jun, 2013
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Hi Jerryp, welcome to g o y, I always thought a giant sequoia was a tree!!! .Derek.
12 Jun, 2013