Erica darleyensis Trio - Winter Heath

A trio of winter heathers (Erica x darleyensis) in different colours, pink, purple, and white, cultivated in the same pot. These three evergreen undershrubs offer beautiful autumn to winter flowering, even until early spring. A perfect composition to liven up a terrace or balcony during a time of year when flowers are scarce. Hardy and accommodating, potted winter heather requires little maintenance apart from regular watering. 

Erica x darleyensis is a cross between the Erica carnea, native to mountainous areas of southern and central Europe, thriving on limestone soil, and the E. erigena, acidophilous, native to western Europe. This small, evergreen shrub, with a rounded and spreading habit, will reach a height of about 40 cm (16 in), its growth is quite slow. Its lifespan is around 10 to 15 years. It blooms for a long time, between November and March, depending on the climate. Its flowers resemble small urns, 7 mm (0.3 in) long and 4 mm (0.2 in) wide. Their colour varies depending on the cultivars. This trio brings together a variety with white flowers, one with pink flowers, and the third with purple flowers. The flowers are gathered in beautiful clusters, 6 to 10 cm (2.4 to 3.9 in) long, scattered along the branches, amidst linear, slender leaves, 3 to 10 mm (0.1 to 0.4 in) long. The dark green foliage is evergreen in winter. It sometimes takes on shades of bronze or copper due to the cold. 

Hardy and undemanding in terms of soil, Darley heather is also an excellent ground cover for borders and slopes, whether alone or combined with dwarf creeping conifers (Juniperus squamata 'Blue Star', Juniperus horizontalis 'Blue Chip', J.repanda...). A row of heathers planted at the top of a retaining wall always creates a sensational spectacle in winter. The mouse-ear chickweed and aubrietas can take over in spring. Plant botanical daffodils and botanical tulips among your winter heathers: their flowers will emerge from the cushions of heather, covered in flowers very early in the season, while the heathers will conceal their dry foliage in summer.