About
Erica carnea, the alpine or winter heath, is a dwarf, wide-spreading, evergreen shrub with tiny, narrow, rich-green leaves producing one-sided sprays of small, urn-shaped flowers in pink, purple-pink, magenta or white from late winter through to spring. One of the most reliable and widely planted of all winter-flowering heathers, tolerant of alkaline soil.
About the genus
Erica, the heaths and heathers, are a large genus of evergreen shrubs with fine, needle-like leaves in whorls and racemes or panicles of small, bell-shaped or tubular flowers. They include compact, low-growing garden heathers and tall, tree-like species from the Mediterranean and South Africa.
Growing conditions
SunlightFull sun, Partial shade
Soil typeClay, Loam, Sand
Soil pHAcid, Alkaline, Neutral
Soil moistureMoist but well-drained, Well-drained
AspectWest-facing, South-facing, East-facing
ExposureExposed, Sheltered
UK hardinessH6
Plant details
Plant typeShrubs
HabitMatforming, Trailing
FoliageEvergreen
Height0.1-0.5 metres
Spread0.5-1 metres
Time to full height2-5 years
Suggested usesWildlife gardens, City and courtyard gardens, Coastal, Cottage and informal garden, Patio and container plants
Native toC & S Europe
Care notes
CultivationA lime tolerant heather, prefers well-drained, neutral to acid soil in full sun but will tolerate alkaline soils and some shade. See Hardy heathers for further advice
PruningPruning group 10 after flowering
PropagationPropagate by semi-hardwood cuttings in mid- or late summer; mound-layer in spring
Pest resistanceGenerally pest-free
Disease resistanceMay be susceptible to fungal diseases, including honey fungus (rarely), and Phytophthora root rot, in wet conditions