Morning All. Today we are back with the Erica series, as we are so crazy about them. They just buck the belief that fynbos is boring, don’t they. Their bright colors, tubes and applications destroying convention. Here is a quick recap on the Erica family:

Erica (practically meaningless; probably not from ereiko, to break, as commonly stated). Ericaceae. Heath. This is the genus that the gardener usually means by “heath.” The heath or heather of English literature and history belongs to the closely allied genus Calluna. The next most important group of cultivated “heaths is Epacris, which, however, belongs to a different family.

Ericas are perennial woody plants from 6 in. to 12 ft. or more, usually much branched: lvs. in whorls of 3-6. very rarely flat, usually 3-sided and with revolute margins that are sometimes connate with the under side: infl. usually terminal or sometimes axillary, very seldom actually, though often apparently, racemose; calyx free, 4- parted; corolla hypogynous, white, rosy or sometimes yellow, usually early deciduous, variously shaped, the commonest forms (in cult.) being bell- shaped, tubular and ventricose, usually 4-lobed; stamens 8; ovary sessile or rarely stalked, 4-celled, rarely 8-celled, with 2-∞ ovules in each cell: fr. a 4-valved caps., with minute seeds.— About 500 species, mostly from South Africa.

Great. Today we are talking about the Versicolor. Another beauty, isn’t she just.

Erica versicolor is a strong, robust shrub – growing up to 2.5m tall with a spread of 2m.

The tubular body of the flower is red with green to whitish coloring towards the tips. Versicolor flowers all year around and enjoys a position of full sun.

This is a strong grower, suitable for difficult gardens and is also lovely as a cut flower.

Today, we are going to move away from the whole scientific angle, and going to expand on the Fynbos Friday concept a little, hopefully to spark a little something. I could go on about the Erica Versicolor for days here, but today I want to see if I can inspire you to take fynbos out of the “bush” and into your homes, your gardens, and into your lives.

Fynbos is not boring. Look a the Versicolor. It flowers all year, it stands quite high and would be an amazing addition to any garden. It’s tough and will make an amazing array when you grow it in its natural state, which you can see an image of here.

A full growing guide can be found here so really there is little excuse not to have at least one of the Erica family in your home. As something you should be truly proud of as a South African (considering 90 percent of the worlds Erica’s are from South Africa) its a fantastic way to show your “Ayobaness” this year.

With our Football World Cup just a few months away now, let’s show the world something that is truly South African.

I feel so inspired I am off to the nursery this morning. Being the web guy, I do not have the advantage of living on the farm, instead I have to grow my own, like you.

More beautiful images here for those who are now inspired as well.