Erica x darleyensis Lea - Winter Heath

Erica x darleyensis 'Lea' is a winter heather variety that is particularly late as its first flowers appear in February and last until May. Its small urn-shaped flowers are a very bright pink and cover a persistent foliage with a green tint of bronze. It has medium vigour and a compact habit. It forms a spreading cushion with vibrant flowering that accompanies the first late winter bulbs and early spring blooms. By combining different varieties with staggered flowering, these heathers create beautiful coloured carpets from November to May.

Erica x darleyensis 'Lea' is a horticultural creation. It is one of the many hybrids resulting from the cross-breeding between Erica carnea, native to the mountainous areas of southern and central Europe, thriving on limestone soil, and Erica erigena, acidophilous, native to western Europe. This hybrid combines vigorous growth, beautifully colored young foliage, and abundant and prolonged flowering. This small evergreen shrub, with a rounded and spreading habit, will reach approximately 30 to 40 cm (12 to 16in) in height and 50 to 60 cm (20 to 24in) in width at maturity, with a rather slow growth. Its lifespan is about 10 to 15 years. 'Lea' usually flowers between February and May depending on the climate, for several weeks. Its flowers are small urns of a very bright pink. These 3 mm (0.1in) long flowers are grouped in clusters 3 to 10 cm (1 to 4in) long and are scattered along the branches, amidst linear, obtuse leaves, 3 to 10 mm (0.1in) long, arranged oppositely. The young foliage of this variety is bronze in colour, becoming dark green when mature.

Winter heathers are hardy and adaptable to soil type, forming sturdy undershrubs, even in slightly limestone and dry soil. They are perfectly showcased in a heather garden, alongside other species and varieties with varied foliage and flower colors, such as Calluna vulgaris and Erica arborea. As a persistent ground cover, it can be planted in the foreground of borders and beds. Combine it with dwarf conifers and creeping junipers for beautiful combinations of textures and colours, and spring bulbs.