Winter Heath Erica carnea 'David's Seedling'
ABOUT
Erica carnea 'David's Seedling', commonly known as winter heath or spring heath, is a charming evergreen subshrub known for its ornamental value in the garden. The plant has a dense, mounding habit with foliage that remains attractive throughout the year. Its needle-like leaves are small and narrow, typically dark green in color, creating a fine texture that adds visual interest to the plant profile. The most distinctive feature of 'David's Seedling' is its flowers, which appear in abundance and can cover the entire plant, giving it a striking appearance. These flowers are bell-shaped and form in small clusters along the stems. The color of the blossoms tends to be a soft pink, although the hue may vary slightly. These blooms emerge in late winter to early spring, providing a much-needed splash of color during a time when few plants are flowering. The flowering period is long-lasting, sometimes extending into mid-spring, offering extended visual enjoyment. Overall, winter heath's evergreen foliage and profuse flowering make it a popular choice for gardeners looking to add winter interest to their landscapes. It's especially favored for rock gardens, slopes, or as ground cover where its flower display can be appreciated up close.
About this plant
NamesFamily
Ericaceae.
Synonyms
Winter Heath, Spring Heath, Alpine Heath.
Common names
Erica carnea 'David's Seedling'.
ToxicityTo humans
Winter heath is generally considered non-toxic to humans. Ingesting any part of this plant is unlikely to cause symptoms of poisoning, and no significant toxicity issues should be expected.
To pets
Winter heath is also generally considered non-toxic to pets. Ingestion of this plant by pets typically does not cause any harmful effects or symptoms of poisoning.
CharacteristicsLife cycle
Perennials
Foliage type
Evergreen
Color of leaves
Green
Flower color
Pink
Height
6 inches (15 cm)
Spread
18 inches (45 cm)
Plant type
Shrub
Hardiness zones
5
Native area
Europe
Benefits
General Benefits- Year-round Interest: Erica carnea 'David's Seedling', also known as winter heath, offers garden interest across all seasons with its evergreen foliage and winter flowers.
- Drought Resistance: Once established, this plant is quite tolerant of dry conditions, making it suitable for drought-prone areas.
- Low Maintenance: Winter heath requires minimal care, thriving without the need for regular watering or fertilizing once established.
- Cold Hardy: This variety is very resistant to cold weather, making it a great choice for gardens in cooler climates.
- Ground Cover: Its low, spreading growth habit makes it an excellent ground cover, helping to suppress weeds and stabilize soil.
- Attracts Pollinators: The winter blooms provide a valuable nectar source for bees and other pollinators during times when few other plants are flowering.
- Color Variety: 'David's Seedling' offers vibrant pink flowers, adding a splash of color to the winter garden when most other plants are dormant.
- Versatility: It can be used in various garden settings, including borders, rockeries, and containers, offering flexibility in garden design.
Medical PropertiesThis plant is not used for medical purposes.
Air-purifying QualitiesThis plant is not specifically known for air purifying qualities.
Other Uses- Wintergreen attracts beneficial insects to the garden, providing a natural pest control and aiding in pollination of nearby plants.
- They can be used in container gardening, especially in areas with harsh winters, to add some greenery when most plants are dormant.
- Wintergreen is sometimes used as a low-maintenance ground cover for sloped areas, where it helps to prevent soil erosion.
- The plant can be incorporated into wildlife gardens, as it provides shelter for small animals and birds during the winter months.
- Plant enthusiasts sometimes use preserved Wintergreen flowers in dried floral arrangements due to their longevity.
- They're used in educational settings like schools and nature centers to teach about plant hardiness and winter survival strategies in flora.
- Wintergreen's vibrant winter colors can be utilized in color therapy landscapes designed to uplift the mood during bleak winter days.
- As an evergreen, Wintergreen can be used during the Christmas season as part of festive outdoor decorations and wreaths.
- In photography, Wintergreen serves as a preferred subject in macro and close-up shots due to its intricate flower structures.
- Garden designers might use Wintergreen in xeriscaping, which requires minimal irrigation, because of its low water requirement once established.
Interesting Facts
Feng ShuiWinter heath is not used in Feng Shui practice.
Plant Symbolism- Endurance - Erica carnea, commonly known as winter heath or spring heath, often blooms in the late winter to early spring, symbolizing the ability to endure harsh conditions and persevere through tough times.
- Protection - Traditionally, heath plants have been considered as protective charms, symbolizing guardianship and a safe haven against harm.
- Good Luck - In some cultures, heather, which is part of the same family as Erica carnea, represents good luck, and so the association can carry over, offering positive fortunes to those who encounter it.
- Solitude - The plant's natural habitat in the wide, open heaths can symbolize a love for solitude and self-reflection.
WaterWinter Heath, commonly known as Erica carnea 'David's Seedling', requires moderate watering. During the growing season in spring and summer, water the plant thoroughly when the top inch of soil feels dry to the touch, which typically might mean once a week. Avoid overwatering as this plant prefers well-drained soil, and ensure the pot or ground has adequate drainage. In the cooler fall and winter months, reduce watering to every two weeks or less, depending on the weather conditions. As a guideline, provide approximately 1 to 2 gallons of water at each watering session to ensure the soil is moistened but not waterlogged.
LightWinter Heath thrives best in full sun to partial shade conditions. An ideal location would provide at least four to six hours of sunlight daily, while also offering some protection from the hot midday sun in extremely warm climates. It can tolerate a spot that receives morning sunlight and afternoon shade or vice versa, ensuring it gets a good balance of light without being scorched.
TemperatureThe Winter Heath can withstand cold temperatures, typically down to about -10 degrees Fahrenheit, making it quite frost-resistant. It grows best in a temperature range of 30 to 70 degrees Fahrenheit. The plant can tolerate temperature fluctuations, but sudden extreme changes should be avoided to maintain its health and flowering capability.
PruningWinter Heath benefits from light pruning to maintain its shape and encourage bushy growth. Prune immediately after flowering in late spring by trimming back the flowered stems to just below where the flowers have finished. This also helps prevent the plant from becoming leggy. Typically, an annual pruning is adequate, and it's best carried out with clean, sharp shears to minimize damage to the plant.
CleaningAs needed
SoilWinter Heath, commonly known as Erica carnea 'David's Seedling', thrives in well-drained, acidic soil with a pH between 4.5 and 6. A suitable mix for the plant would be a combination of one-third peat, one-third sand or perlite, and one-third organic matter, such as leaf mold or compost.
RepottingWinter Heath does not typically require frequent repotting. It should be repotted every 2 to 3 years to prevent the soil from becoming compacted and to replenish nutrients.
Humidity & MistingWinter Heath prefers a moderate humidity level, typical of outdoor conditions. It does not require high humidity environments which are often needed for tropical plants.
Suitable locationsIndoor
Place Winter Heath near bright window; avoid overwatering.
Outdoor
Plant in sunny spot with good drainage; protect from harsh winds.
Hardiness zone
4-9 USDA
Life cycleErica carnea, commonly known as Winter Heath or 'David's Seedling', begins its life cycle when seeds are dispersed into the soil where they germinate given adequate warmth and moisture conditions. The seedlings emerge and develop into juvenile plants, forming a woody base and evergreen foliage as they mature. During its growth phase, the plant develops a dense mat of greenery with needle-like leaves. Once mature, usually after a few years, it enters the flowering stage in late winter to early spring, producing pink to purple flowers that offer nectar to pollinators. After pollination, the flowers develop into small seed capsules that release seeds to restart the cycle. Winter Heath is a perennial, enduring through multiple seasons with the correct care and climatic conditions, contributing to semi-evergreen ground cover where it thrives.
PropogationPropogation time
Early Spring
The most popular method for propagating the Heather 'David's Seedling', which is a cultivar of Erica carnea, is through semi-ripe cuttings. This process is typically carried out in late summer. To do this, gardeners select healthy, semi-ripe shoots and clip them to lengths of about 2 to 3 inches (5 to 7.5 cm). The lower leaves are removed, and the base of the cuttings is dipped in rooting hormone to encourage growth. The prepared cuttings are then inserted into a mixture of peat and sharp sand or perlite, ensuring the foliage does not touch the medium. Cutting trays are kept in a cold frame or a protected area until roots develop, after which the new heathers can be potted individually and grown on until they are ready for planting out in the garden.
