Winter heather

Erica x darleyensis

Winter heather is a shrub for edging, groundcover, suited to full sun to partial shade and loam, sandy soil or acid soil, flowering Jan, Feb, Mar, Apr.

Where to use it in a border

At around 30 cm, it sits best along the front edge, where a low, spreading habit reads best. Give it about 45 cm of room to spread, roughly 2 to the metre when planted in a drift. It is hardy across USDA zones 5a to 7b and rated H5 by the RHS, so check it suits your area before planting.

It appears in our lists of full sun, sandy soil, acid soil, evergreen plants, pollinator-friendly plants.

Border Builder uses Winter heather's height, spread, soil, bloom months and companions to place it in a full border plan for your own conditions, on iPhone and iPad.

Flowering through the year

Worth knowing

• Evergreen, so it keeps the border furnished through winter.
• It tolerates acid soil but dislikes shallow chalk.
• Its flowers are valued by bees and other pollinators.

Good companions

Plants that share its conditions and style, chosen to complement its place in the border:

• Bugleto edge in front
• Azaleafor height behind it
• Black Cohoshfor height behind it
• Camelliafor height behind it
• Cascade Oregon Grapeto edge in front
• Cherry Laurelfor height behind it

Garden styles

Formal Shade cottage Wildlife garden Woodland