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Erica x darleyensis ‘Margaret Porter’ (Winter Heath)

Winter Heath 'Margaret Porter', Heather 'Margaret Porter', Heath 'Margaret Porter'

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 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 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.
  • 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 bushier, 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 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 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 Ericaceae
Genus Erica
Common names Heath, Heather, Winter Heath
Exposure Full Sun
Season of Interest Spring (Early), Winter
Height 6" - 8" (15cm - 20cm)
Spread 1' - 2' (30cm - 60cm)
Spacing 12" - 18" (30cm - 50cm)
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, 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 ‘Ice Princess’ (Winter Heath)
Erica carnea ‘Springwood Pink’ (Winter Heath)
Erica x darleyensis ‘Arthur Johnson’ (Winter Heath)

Recommended Companion Plants

Abies nordmanniana ‘Golden Spreader’ (Caucasian Fir)
Cornus sanguinea ‘Midwinter Fire’ (Bloodtwig Dogwood)
Sedum ‘Herbstfreude’ (‘Autumn Joy’)
Narcissus ‘Tete a Tete’ (Cyclamineus Daffodil)

Find In One of Our Guides or Gardens

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 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 Ericaceae
Genus Erica
Common names Heath, Heather, Winter Heath
Exposure Full Sun
Season of Interest Spring (Early), Winter
Height 6" - 8" (15cm - 20cm)
Spread 1' - 2' (30cm - 60cm)
Spacing 12" - 18" (30cm - 50cm)
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, 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)
Guides with
Erica (Heath)
Not sure which Erica (Heath) to pick?
Compare Now

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