Erica x darleyensis 'Margaret Porter' (Winter Heath)
Winter Heath 'Margaret Porter', Heather 'Margaret Porter', Heath 'Margaret Porter'
Erica x darleyensis 'Margaret Porter' (Winter Heath) is a vigorous, bushy shrub of neat rounded habit with a profusion of large, fluffy, lilac flowers. Blooming heavily from mid winter to early spring (Jan-Mar), they cover the mid-green foliage which displays attractive cream tips in spring. Great at providing winter color while requiring little care, it is perfect at smothering weeds!
- Grows up to 6-8 in. tall (15-20 cm) and 12-18 in. across (30-450 cm).
- 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 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 as flower buds are formed during the summer. Annual light shearing promotes a bushier plant.
- Erica x darleyensis includes many hybrids of Erica carnea and Erica erigena. A taller growing shrub than Erica carnea, generally between 12-24 in. tall (30-60 cm), and more bushy, it is useful in adding winter color at greater heights. It is loved for its early bloom and evergreen presence and forms bristling splashes of pink, white, purple or red blooms in the landscape which are at their best with dwarf evergreens, conifers and mixed plantings of heathers. Most varieties display needle-like mid green foliage with pink, cream or red, young growth in late spring and a bronzy foliage in the winter. Buds form in late summer or early fall, and some cultivars begin blooming as early as late September, often lasting until April
How to Grow and Care for Heaths and Heathers
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.Read More
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Requirements
Hardiness | 6
– 8 |
---|---|
Heat Zones | 7
– 8 |
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 |
Plant Type | Shrubs |
Plant Family | Erica and Calluna |
Exposure | Full Sun |
Season of Interest |
Spring (Early) Winter |
Height | 6" – 8" (15cm – 20cm) |
Spread | 1' – 2' (30cm – 60cm) |
Spacing | 12" – 18" (30cm – 45cm) |
Water Needs | Average |
Maintenance | Low |
Soil Type | Clay, Loam, Sand |
Soil pH | Acid, Neutral |
Soil Drainage | Moist but Well-Drained, Well-Drained |
Characteristics | Showy, Evergreen |
Tolerance | Deer |
Garden Uses | Banks and Slopes, Beds and Borders, Ground Covers, Patio and Containers |
Garden Styles | Coastal Garden, Gravel and Rock Garden, Informal and Cottage |
© Martin Ogden /www.teddingtongardener.com
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.
Requirements
Hardiness | 6
– 8 |
---|---|
Heat Zones | 7
– 8 |
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 |
Plant Type | Shrubs |
Plant Family | Erica and Calluna |
Exposure | Full Sun |
Season of Interest |
Spring (Early) Winter |
Height | 6" – 8" (15cm – 20cm) |
Spread | 1' – 2' (30cm – 60cm) |
Spacing | 12" – 18" (30cm – 45cm) |
Water Needs | Average |
Maintenance | Low |
Soil Type | Clay, Loam, Sand |
Soil pH | Acid, Neutral |
Soil Drainage | Moist but Well-Drained, Well-Drained |
Characteristics | Showy, Evergreen |
Tolerance | Deer |
Garden Uses | Banks and Slopes, Beds and Borders, Ground Covers, Patio and Containers |
Garden Styles | Coastal Garden, Gravel and Rock Garden, Informal and Cottage |