Erica Species, Alpine Heather, Scotch Heath, Winter Heath

Ericacarnea

Family
Ericaceae (er-ek-AY-see-ee)
Genus
Erica (ER-ee-kuh)
Species
carnea (KAR-nee-uh)
Synonym
Sun Exposure
Full Sun
Foliage
Grown for foliage
Evergreen
Height
6-12 in. (15-30 cm)
Spacing
12-15 in. (30-38 cm)
Hardiness
USDA Zone 5a: to -28.8 °C (-20 °F)
USDA Zone 5b: to -26.1 °C (-15 °F)
USDA Zone 6a: to -23.3 °C (-10 °F)
USDA Zone 6b: to -20.5 °C (-5 °F)
USDA Zone 7a: to -17.7 °C (0 °F)
USDA Zone 7b: to -14.9 °C (5 °F)
Bloom Color
Pale Pink
Pink
Rose/Mauve
Magenta (pink-purple)
Fuchsia (red-purple)
Red
Scarlet (dark red)
Pale Yellow
Bright Yellow
Lavender
White/Near White
Bloom Time
Late Winter/Early Spring
Mid Spring
Late Fall/Early Winter
Mid Winter
Other Details
Category
Shrubs
Water Requirements
Requires consistently moist soil; do not let dry out between waterings
Foliage Color
Where to Grow
Bloom Characteristics
Bloom Size
Other details
Soil pH requirements
5.6 to 6.0 (acidic)
6.1 to 6.5 (mildly acidic)
6.6 to 7.5 (neutral)
Patent Information
Non-patented
Propagation Methods
From seed; direct sow after last frost
By simple layering
By serpentine layering
By stooling or mound layering
Seed Collecting
Allow seedheads to dry on plants; remove and collect seeds
Regional

This plant is said to grow outdoors in the following regions:

Riverdale, Maryland

Piscataway, New Jersey

Syosset, New York

Greensboro, North Carolina

Philomath, Oregon

Wynnewood, Pennsylvania

Stephens City, Virginia

Kirkland, Washington

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Gardener's Notes:

1
positive
2
neutrals
0
negative
Sort By:
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L
Shenandoah Valley, VA (Zone 6b) | December 2005 | positive

The species, Erica carnea, grows as a prostrate shrubby perennial that blooms in the winter here in the northern border of Zone 7a. This ...Read More

B
B
Baa
| August 2003 | neutral

A small shrub from Western Europe, mainly occuring in the Great British Isles and France.

Has deep green, rolled, almost n...Read More

L
Grove City, OH (Zone 6a) | April 2002 | neutral

Protect from drying winds in winter while blooming. This variety tolerates higher soil alkalinity than other ericas. Foliage color vari...Read More

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