January 2007
Winter Heaths
Leonard J. Buck Garden, Far Hills, NJ
The sparkling, tiny flowers of Erica carnea, also known as spring, winter, or snow heath, are on display in the raised peninsula bed next to the parking area in front of the visitor's center.
Winter heaths have fine, short, needlelike evergreen leaves that vary from deep green to silver, gold, or chartreuse. Their showy, urn-shaped flowers are floriferous during the winter months, lasting into spring.
The name, Erica, is derived from the Greek word ereike meaning “to break" which may refer to the fact that the stems of some species are easily broken. For centuries in Northern Europe heaths have been used for ropes, thatching, bedding, making brooms, and, perhaps the most well known today, heath honey.
Erica carnea is a fast grower no more than 9 inches high, but spreading to 24 inches. Grow them in a well-drained, slightly acidic to alkaline soil that is rich in humus. Winter heaths prefer sun all day but will grow well in half-day sun. A soil with too much nitrogen will produce lush growth that may be too fragile to withstand the cold of winter so use a light application of a dry granular fertilizer that you would use for acid-loving evergreens.
Several winter heath varieties currently blooming at the Leonard J. Buck Garden are: Erica carnea 'Anne Sparkes,' E. carnea 'Loughrigg,' E. carnea 'Pink Spangles,' E. carnea 'Springwood Pink,' E. carnea 'Springwood White,' and E. x darleyensis 'Kramer's Red.'
E. carnea 'Ann Sparkes' is a compact beacon of dazzling color with distinctive foliage set aglow with gilded yellow hues and bronzy red tips. Further attention is warranted when the carmine-red flowers unfurl, cheering up a drab winter landscape. 'Ann Sparkes' grows 6 to 9 inches in height with a 12 to 15-inch spread.
E. carnea 'Loughrigg's light to dark green leaves are often shaded blue with bronzy new growth. Flowers open pink, then with age deepen to rose pink and then heliotrope. It has a vigorous, carpeting habit, and grows 4 to 8 inches in height with a 15 to 20-inch spread.
E. carnea 'Pink Spangles' is distinguished by two-toned blooms and a robust yet gracious form. 'Pink Spangles' paints the winter landscape with a truly dynamic floral display. Shell pink sepals and rosier pink petals that open from lime-colored buds grace this superb heath. It grows 9 to 12 inches with its medium green foliage spreading 20-24 inches.
E. carnea 'Springwood Pink,' has dark rose pink flowers that deepen with age, and light green foliage with a faint touch of bronze on its tips in the winter. It has a vigorous, spreading habit, growing 4 to 8 inches in height with a 20 to 25-inch spread.
E. carnea 'Springwood White' is perhaps the most well known and most grown heath because of its ability to perform well in many situations. Masses of creamy buds open into pure white flowers on strong trailing stems. A vigorous ground cover, it can handle inland heat and tough conditions. It grows to a height of 10 inches with a 2-foot spread.
Erica x darleyensis 'Kramer's Red' is unparalleled among red flowering heaths. This ornate heath has dark green foliage enhanced in winter by bronze-purple highlights and closely set chartreuse buds that open into magenta blooms. 'Kramer's Red' grows to 15 inches with a 2-foot spread.
Winter heaths do just fine without pruning. Pruning is only necessary to keep them in bounds or to remove damaged stems. Prune immediately after flowers have faded because new buds form during the summer months.
Flowering winter heaths bring much needed color to the garden at this time of year. They are versatile, colorful, make wonderful groundcovers, are good companions with dwarf conifers and other ericaceous plants, and are relatively pest and disease resistant. All winter heaths listed in this article are hardy to at least Zone 5.
- Tricia Scibilia, interpretive gardener
** Photos 1,2,3,6 Courtesy of Tricia Scibilia
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