Erica carnea 'Springwood white' 10-20 cm

Erica carnea ‘Springwood White’ – White Winter Heath

Erica carnea ‘Springwood White’ is a beautiful evergreen winter-flowering heather that brings a fresh touch of colour to the garden during the darker winter months and early spring. This low-growing heather forms a dense, spreading carpet of fine green, needle-like foliage. From winter into spring, it produces masses of pure white, bell-shaped flowers.

The long flowering period makes ‘Springwood White’ particularly attractive for the winter garden. While many other plants are still dormant, this winter heath is already providing colour and life. Its early flowers are also valuable for bees and other early pollinators, when few other food sources are available.

Thanks to its spreading growth habit, Erica carnea ‘Springwood White’ is an excellent ground cover plant. Plant it in groups in borders, rock gardens, heath gardens or along the edge of planting beds. It also looks attractive in pots and planters.

Position

Plant Erica carnea ‘Springwood White’ in a sunny to lightly shaded position. A sunny location encourages abundant flowering and compact, healthy growth.

Soil and care

A well-drained, humus-rich soil is ideal. Erica carnea prefers acidic to slightly acidic soil, although it is more tolerant of soil pH than many other heathers and can also grow in neutral or slightly alkaline soil. Avoid permanently wet conditions.

After flowering, lightly trim the plant to keep it compact and dense and to prevent it from becoming bare at the base. Only trim the young green growth and avoid cutting deeply into old wood.

Features

• Common name: White Winter Heath

• Botanical name: Erica carnea ‘Springwood White’

• Flowering period: winter to spring, mainly February–April

• Flower colour: pure white

• Height: approx. 15–25 cm

• Width: approx. 40–45 cm

• Position: full sun to light partial shade

• Soil: well-drained, humus-rich, preferably acidic to slightly acidic

• Evergreen: yes

• Hardiness: very hardy

• Growth habit: spreading and ground-covering

• Uses: ground cover, borders, rock gardens, heath gardens, pots and planters

• Biodiversity: valuable for early pollinators

Planting advice: Plant approximately 6–10 plants per m², depending on how quickly you want the planting to form a dense cover. For a natural effect, plant them in small groups.