Winter Flowering Heathers (Ericas)

Heathers flowering in the middle of winter can bring much needed colour to the garden at this time of year. They are also important as ground-covering and foliage effect plants.

 
A winter flowering heather border - mainly Erica carnea types - with a Witch Hazel in background.

Unlike their summer-flowering counterparts, the winter flowering ericas (Heaths) are not too fussy about the type of soil they are planted in. They will live quite happily in alkaline (lime) soils, whereas the summer flowering types will only thrive in an acid soil.

As can be seen in the picture, they also make good ground covering plants. There are also many fine coloured foliage types to be obtained.

Winter flowering types are mainly cultivars of Erica carnea or Erica x darleyensis. (Erica vagans types will also thrive in alkaline soil, but are summer flowering)

The flower colours range from white through light pink, into deep pinks reds and cerise or purple. Foliage types are also important and can range from rich gold tinged with red , light yellow, silver and the normal range of greens and bronze/greens.

Pruning, Planting & Aftercare.

All types should be pruned immediately after flowering. This can be carried out by lightly trimming with a pair of hedge shears. Simply cut back the flowered stems. This ensures compact bushy plants.

Ericas can often be bought as small plants in 7cm square pots. It is worth paying a little extra for larger plants. Allow at least 45cm between plants, even if it does leave a soil gap. They will need the room to spread, and normally start spreading well during their second year after planting. Although they are happy in alkaline soils, they respond well to an annual dressing of moss peat. In the growing season, water freely, and feed with a half-strength solution of liquid feed monthly.

They have few pests or diseases, however, they can be susceptible to various fungal attacks in warm wet weather. The main culprit is Phytophtora - which rots the roots!

Some popular types - (there are many having different names, that look so similar!)