www.greatplantpicks.org
Plant Details:
Category:
Deciduous Shrubs & Broadleaf Evergreens
Height:
2 in.
Width:
2 in.
Zones:
6a - 8b
Exposure:
Sun
www.greatplantpicks.org
Common Name: Darley Dale Mediteranean Pink Heather
Great Plant Picks - This clone was the original hybrid of this group and gives them their name. It was found as a seedling at James Smith's Nursery in Darley Dale, Derbyshire, England, around 1900. It is a hybrid between E. carnea (winter heath) and E. erigena (Irish or Mediterranean heath). It produces abundant, shell-pink flowers that darken to medium pink as the season progresses. From November to April, these cover its mid-green leaves that have cream tips in spring. It produces the most flowers in full sun. Mass plantings of this heath create an excellent groundcover for sunny locations, providing outstanding winter interest. Heaths add interest to winter containers and produce nectar that attracts bees on mild winter days. It prefers a location with well-drained or sandy soil and it is best to water regularly during dry weather. Newly planted heath can dry out quickly once planted so it is important to water often and deeply when the plant is young. It can also be helpful to soak the plant in a bucket of water to fully saturate the soil before planting. After the blossoms have faded a light shearing will remove most of the faded flowers and promote dense growth.
