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Erica carnea ‘December Red’ (Winter Heath)

Winter Heath 'December Red', Heather 'December Red', Snow Heath 'December Red', Spring Heath 'December Red', Alpine Heath 'December Red'

Erica Carnea 'December Red', Winter Heath 'December Red', Heather 'December Red', Snow Heath 'December Red', Spring Heath 'December Red', Alpine Heath 'December Red'
Erica Carnea 'December Red', Winter Heath 'December Red', Heather 'December Red', Snow Heath 'December Red', Spring Heath 'December Red', Alpine Heath 'December Red'

One of the earliest Erica carnea (Winter Heath) to bloom, ‘December Red’ exhibits masses of narrow, urn-shaped flowers that open pink and deepen light purple over the season. Blooming heavily for weeks from early to late winter (Dec-Feb), they beautifully smother the needle-like, mid-green foliage. Great at providing winter color, this vigorous, low-growing, evergreen shrub creates an excellent ground cover for sunny locations while requiring little care.

  • Grows in an attractive mound, up to 6-12 in. tall (15-30 cm) and 18 in. across (45 cm). Spreading along the ground by procumbent stems, this perennial will form a dense ground cover over time.
  • Performs best in full sun in sandy, acidic, medium moisture, well-drained soils. Part shade is welcomed in hot summer areas. Newly planted Heath can dry out quickly once planted, so it is important to water regularly and thoroughly when the plant is young.
  • Easy to grow, this plant is a welcomed addition to rock gardens, groundcover, slopes, coastal gardens, cottage gardens, or containers. Plant in groups for the best visual impact.
  • Produces nectar that attracts bees on mild winter days, but is ignored by deer!
  • Virtually disease and pest free but watch for powdery mildew, root rot, rust, and wilt.
  • Plants may be sheared lightly after flowers fade, but not any later since flower buds are formed during the summer. Annual light shearing promotes a bushier plant.

One of the hardiest of Heathers, Erica carnea is native to the Alps of Central Europe. It is loved for its early bloom and evergreen presence and forms bristling mats of pink, white, purple or red blooms which are at their best with the early spring bulbs such as crocus, scillas and dwarf irises.

How to Grow and Care for Heath and Heather


Evergreen, Heathers (Calluna Vulgaris) and Heaths (Erica) are terrific plants that deserve a spot in the garden. Their fabulous ability to change color year-round, injecting vivid life into our landscape at a time when they need it most, is invaluable. Low maintenance, deer or salt resistant, winter hardy, drought tolerant (once established) and fairly easy to grow, they do not require much: decent drainage and some sunshine.

Requirements

Hardiness 5 - 7
Heat Zones 5 - 7
Climate Zones 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, A3
Plant Type Shrubs
Plant Family Ericaceae
Genus Erica
Common names Heather, Winter Heath
Exposure Full Sun
Season of Interest Winter
Height 6" - 1' (15cm - 30cm)
Spread 1' - 2' (30cm - 60cm)
Spacing 18" - 24" (50cm - 60cm)
Maintenance Low
Water Needs Average
Soil Type Clay, Loam, Sand
Soil pH Acid, Neutral
Soil Drainage Moist but Well-Drained, Well-Drained
Characteristics Showy, Evergreen
Tolerance Deer
Attracts Bees
Garden Uses Banks And Slopes, Beds And Borders, Edging, Ground Covers, Patio And Containers
Garden Styles Coastal Garden, Gravel and Rock Garden, Informal and Cottage
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Alternative Plants to Consider

Erica x darleyensis ‘White Perfection’ (Winter Heath)
Erica carnea ‘Golden Starlet’ (Winter Heath)
Erica carnea ‘March Seedling’ (Winter Heath)
Erica carnea ‘Springwood Pink’ (Winter Heath)
Erica x darleyensis ‘Margaret Porter’ (Winter Heath)
Erica carnea ‘Ice Princess’ (Winter Heath)

Recommended Companion Plants

Helleborus Winter Jewels ‘Golden Lotus’ (Hellebore)
Cornus sanguinea ‘Midwinter Fire’ (Bloodtwig Dogwood)
Carex comans ‘Frosted Curls’ (New Zealand Hair Sedge)
Crocus vernus ‘Jeanne d’Arc’ (Dutch Crocus)
Narcissus ‘Tete a Tete’ (Cyclamineus Daffodil)
Scilla siberica (Siberian Squill)
Iris reticulata (Dwarf Iris)

Find In One of Our Guides or Gardens

A Glowing Winter Border with Dogwood, Heath and Grasses
45 Terrific Shrubs for Stunning Container Gardens
Create a Garden with Great Winter Interest
Pretty Flowers for your Winter Garden
Heath and Heather
How to Grow and Care for Heath and Heather
While every effort has been made to describe these plants accurately, please keep in mind that height, bloom time, and color may differ in various climates. The description of these plants has been written based on numerous outside resources.
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Requirements

Hardiness 5 - 7
Heat Zones 5 - 7
Climate Zones 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, A3
Plant Type Shrubs
Plant Family Ericaceae
Genus Erica
Common names Heather, Winter Heath
Exposure Full Sun
Season of Interest Winter
Height 6" - 1' (15cm - 30cm)
Spread 1' - 2' (30cm - 60cm)
Spacing 18" - 24" (50cm - 60cm)
Maintenance Low
Water Needs Average
Soil Type Clay, Loam, Sand
Soil pH Acid, Neutral
Soil Drainage Moist but Well-Drained, Well-Drained
Characteristics Showy, Evergreen
Tolerance Deer
Attracts Bees
Garden Uses Banks And Slopes, Beds And Borders, Edging, Ground Covers, Patio And Containers
Garden Styles Coastal Garden, Gravel and Rock Garden, Informal and Cottage
How Many Plants
Do I Need?
Explore Great Plant Combination Ideas
Erica (Heath)
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Erica (Heath)
Not sure which Erica (Heath) to pick?
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