Here's Why Winter Heath Is The Perfect Ground Cover for Beginner Gardeners

Hardy, evergreen winter heath (Erica Carnea), like its Scottish heather relative, makes an ideal low-maintenance, textural, weed-smothering ground cover that provides year-round interest.

The late winter to early spring blooms bring a pop of bright color when your yard needs it most, and the needle-like foliage sports shades of green the rest of the year. 

This fast-growing species has many cultivars to choose from. Most need a full or partial sun position in moist but well-drained soil. These European natives prefer mild temperatures and don’t typically do well in sultry southern states.

Winter Heath Care

The major care requirements for winter heath include:

• Position in full sun. In regions that experience intense summer afternoon sun a partial shade position is best.
• Plant in well-drained soil. This species prefers an acidic, sandy, and well-drained soil.
• Water to keep moderately moist but avoid soggy soils.
• Plant in regions experiencing cool summer temperatures. This species doesn’t do well in sultry southern states with high humidity and intense heat.

Light

Winter heath generally prefers a spot in full sun to see the best blooms. However, in regions that experience hot summers, a partial shade position with respite from intense afternoon sun is best.

Soil

While winter heath tolerates neutral or alkaline soil pH levels, it thrives in acidic soils that are moist and well-draining. A sandy or loamy soil is best, and if you are concerned about drainage, consider planting in raised beds.

Infertile conditions aren’t a problem for winter heath, and it suits salty coastal locations. However, the species won’t survive in heavy clay soils.

Water

Winter heath prefers medium moisture levels but doesn't tolerate waterlogged soils. Young plants dry out more rapidly and require more frequent irrigation until established.

Temperature and Humidity

Winter heath is an alpine Europe native. That means it prefers mild summer temperatures. This isn’t a plant that does well in sultry southern regions, and it needs respite from intense afternoon sun. Some cultivars, like ‘Springwood White’, are more tolerant of hotter summers.

These plants appreciate a layer of insulating mulch in the fall if you expect the temperatures to drop significantly in the winter. 

Fertilizer

Winter heath does well in nutrient-poor soils. You don’t generally need to apply any fertilizer.

Types of Winter Heath

There are over 100 winter heath cultivars to choose from. Some popular varieties include:

• Erica Carnea ‘Claire Wilkinson’: Features long-blooming, shell-pink flowers that appear from late winter to late spring. Grows in USDA hardiness zones 4 to 5.
• Erica Carnea ‘King George’: Dark green foliage and deep pink flowers that bloom from December to March.
• Erica Carnea ‘Springwood White’: Has a compact form, vigorous growth, light green leaves and white flowers.
• Erica Carnea ‘Eva’: The foliage turns from dark green to bronze in the winter, and the light red flowers appear in the late winter and hang around until mid-spring.

Pruning

Pruning winter heath isn’t necessary, but this spreading ground cover can start to look rather straggly if left to its own devices.

If you want to tidy it up, do this annually at the end of the bloom season in the spring. Trim conservatively into new green growth, as it can be tricky for this species to grow new shoots on old, woody stems.

Propagating Winter Heath

If you want more winter heath for another area of your yard, it’s possible to propagate from semi-hardwood cuttings during the summer. Follow these steps for a chance of success:

1. Select a healthy 6-inch cutting from newer growth rather than a hard, old stem. Use sterile, sharp pruning shears or scissors to detach the cutting.
2. If you have rooting hormone, dip the end of the cutting in this.
3. Fill a growing pot with a soilless potting mix (consider mixing in a small amount of organic matter for extra nutrients).
4. Place the cutting into a hole in the potting mix you make with your finger or a pencil. Pat down the soil to hold the cutting securely in place.
5. Place the pot in indirect but bright light indoors and keep the soil evenly moist but not soggy.
6. Cover the plant with a bag to hold in moisture if your home environment is particularly dry. Remove the bag for an hour or two a day to let the cutting access some fresh air.
7. Once you see signs of new growth, remove the bag and wait for the cutting to take root fully.
8. You can move the cutting to its position outdoors in the spring once the roots are well-established and any danger of frost has passed. 

Potting Winter Heath

If you plan to grow your winter heath in containers for winter interest on porches or patios, use a large, wide pot that isn’t too deep for this fast-growing, spreading plant. Ensure it has good drainage—a porous terracotta pot is also helpful.

How to Get Winter Heath to Bloom

Learn more about the bell-shaped blossoms of the winter heath to allow you to see the prettiest and most prolific blooms.

Be aware there can be exceptions regarding color, shape, and flowering time depending on the cultivar and your local climate. 

Bloom Months

While the buds form on winter heath in the summer, they don’t typically bloom until late winter or early spring. The earliest blooming cultivars start flowering in late November, while others might not appear until January.

Plants typically flower later in exposed locations where winters are harsh compared to those in sheltered spots in milder regions.

How Long Does Winter Heath Bloom?

Winter heath can remain in bloom for several months. Some cultivars appear in December and might still bloom in April or even early May if temperatures and conditions are right.

What Does Winter Heath’s Flowers Look and Smell Like?

The small, drooping, urn-shaped flowers of winter heath typically come in shades of red, pink, purple, and white. As the clusters of tiny blooms mature, their color sometimes deepens.

How to Encourage More Blooms

Light pruning of new growth can encourage more blooms the following season. Just be sure to do this in the spring after the flowers have faded and before the new buds set in the summer. You don’t need to deadhead the flowers of these plants. 

Unless your region experiences intense summer heat, a full sun position is best to encourage the most prolific flowering. It also pays to keep the soil moist without letting it get soggy.

Common Problems with Winter Heath

Hardy winter heath is relatively low-maintenance, but it isn’t immune to problems. Typically, the signs below are a warning that you need to alter the plant’s care or conditions.

Leggy Growth

If the stems of your winter heath start to look spindly and weak, this commonly relates to being planted in a position with insufficient light. It can also result from over or under-watering or overly fertile soil.

Leaves Turning Brown

Browning foliage on your winter heath can result from too much intense sun or fallen leaves from trees gathering amongst the stems of the dense foliage. However, if the leaves are dry and brittle and the brown spreads from the middle, this can be a sign that your plant is dying from root rot due to poor drainage and soggy soils.

If this hasn’t gone too far, you might be able to trim away rotten roots and replant. Alternatively, you might need to remove the plants and start again in a new spot with better drainage.

Wilting Leaves

When your winter heath is suffering from wilting leaves, getting it wrong with watering is often the culprit. Ensure the soil has adequate drainage and remains evenly moist but not soggy. Foliage can also droop when the plant isn’t receiving enough sunlight.