Erica x darleyensis White Glow - Winter Heath

Erica x darleyensis 'White Glow' is a winter heather considered one of the most beautiful white varieties. Its evergreen foliage is a beautiful vibrant green, with young yellow shoots in spring. It blooms from December to May. This low shrub forms a spreading cushion with bright flowering and foliage that precedes the first late winter bulbs and accompanies the return of spring blooms. By combining different varieties with staggered flowering times, these heathers create beautiful colourful carpets from November to May.

Erica x darleyensis 'White Glow' is a horticultural hybrid resulting from the cross-breeding of Erica carnea, native to 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 coloured young foliage, and abundant and prolonged flowering. This small, evergreen shrub, with a rounded and spreading habit, will reach approximately 45 cm in height and 75 cm (30in) in width at maturity, with a rather slow growth rate. Its lifespan is around 10 to 15 years. 'White Glow' usually flowers between December and May depending on the climate, for several weeks. Its flowers are small white urns. These 3mm (0.1in) long flowers are gathered in clusters 3 to 10cm (1 to 4in) long and are scattered along the branches, amidst linear, obtuse leaves measuring 3 to 10mm (0.1in) in length, arranged in an opposite manner.

Winter heathers are hardy and adaptable to soil type; they form sturdy undershrubs, even in slightly limestone and dry soil. They are perfectly showcased in heather gardens, 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 flower beds or borders. Pair it with dwarf conifers and creeping junipers for beautiful combinations of textures and colors, as well as spring bulbs.