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Erica carnea ‘March Seedling’ (Winter Heath)

Winter Heath 'March Seedling', Heather 'March Seedling', Snow Heath 'March Seedling', Spring Heath 'March Seedling', Alpine Heath 'March Seedling'

AGM Award
Erica Carnea 'March Seedling', Winter Heath 'March Seedling', Heather 'March Seedling', Snow Heath 'March Seedling', Spring Heath 'March Seedling', Alpine Heath 'March Seedling'

Award-winner Erica carnea ‘March Seedling’ is one of the later winter heaths to blossom with masses of small, urn-shaped, heliotrope flowers borne in short racemes. Blooming heavily for weeks from late winter to late spring (Feb-May), they beautifully smother the needle-like, mid-green foliage. Great at providing winter color, this low-growing, evergreen shrub creates an excellent ground cover for sunny locations while requiring little care.

  • Grows in an attractive mound, up to 4-6 in. tall (10-15 cm) and 18-24 in. across (45-60 cm). Spreading along the ground by procumbent stems, this perennial will form a dense ground cover over time.
  • Recipient of the prestigious Award of Garden Merit of the Royal Horticultural Society for its outstanding qualities
  • 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.


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Requirements

Hardiness 5 - 7
Heat Zones 5 - 7
Climate Zones 2, 2A, 2B, 3, 3A, 3B, 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
Exposure Full Sun
Season of Interest Spring (Early, Mid, Late)
Winter
Height 4" - 6"
(10cm - 20cm)
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 Plant of Merit, Showy, Evergreen
Tolerance Deer
Attracts Bees
Garden Uses Banks And Slopes, Beds And Borders, 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 'White Perfection', Heather 'White Perfection', Heath 'White Perfection', White HeathAGM Award
Erica Carnea 'Golden Starlet', Winter Heath 'Golden Starlet', Heather 'Golden Starlet', Snow Heath 'Golden Starlet', Spring Heath 'Golden Starlet', Alpine Heath 'Golden Starlet', White Heath, White HeatherAGM Award
Erica Carnea 'Springwood Pink', Winter Heath 'Springwood Pink', Heather 'Springwood Pink', Snow Heath 'Springwood Pink', Spring Heath 'Springwood Pink', Alpine Heath 'Springwood Pink'
Erica x Darleyensis 'Margaret Porter', Winter Heath 'Margaret Porter', Heather 'Margaret Porter', Heath 'Margaret Porter', Pink Heath, Pink Heather, Pink Flowers,lilac Heath, lilac Heather, lilac Flowers
Erica Carnea 'Ice Princess', Winter Heath 'Ice Princess', Heather 'Ice Princess', Snow Heath 'Ice Princess', Spring Heath 'Ice Princess', Alpine Heath 'Ice Princess', White Heath, White HeatherAGM Award
Erica x Darleyensis 'Arthur Johnson', Winter Heath 'Arthur Johnson', Heather 'Arthur Johnson', Heath 'Arthur Johnson', Pink HeathAGM Award

Recommended Companion Plants

Helleborus Winter Jewels 'Golden Lotus'',Hellebore 'Golden Lotus', Lenten Rose 'Golden Lotus', Helleborus x hybridus 'Golden Lotus', Hellebores Winter Series, yellow Hellebore, Double Hellebore
Anemone Nemorosa, Wood Anemone, Lady's Nightcap, Moonflower, Nightcaps, Old Woman's Nest, Wind-Flower, Wood Crowfoot, Wood Windflower
Cornus Sanguinea 'Midwinter Fire', Bloodtwig Dogwood 'Midwinter Fire', European Dogwood 'Midwinter Fire', Dogwood 'Midwinter Fire', Deciduous Shrubs, Foliage, Fall color, Winter colorAward General
Carex Comans 'Frosted Curls', New Zealand Hair Sedge 'Frosted Curls', New Zealand Sedge 'Frosted Curls', Ornamental grasses, Ornamental grass, Decorative grasses, grasses, perennial grasses
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, 2A, 2B, 3, 3A, 3B, 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
Exposure Full Sun
Season of Interest Spring (Early, Mid, Late)
Winter
Height 4" - 6"
(10cm - 20cm)
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 Plant of Merit, Showy, Evergreen
Tolerance Deer
Attracts Bees
Garden Uses Banks And Slopes, Beds And Borders, Ground Covers, Patio And Containers
Garden Styles Coastal Garden, Gravel and Rock Garden, Informal and Cottage
How Many Plants
Do I Need?
Learn Now
Explore Great Plant Combination Ideas
Erica
Guides with
Erica
Not sure which Erica to pick?
Compare Now

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