Winter heath (Erica carnea) is one of our favorites for, you guessed it…winter!!
Heathers and heaths belong to the same family of plants (Ericaceae), but their major distinction is that heathers tend to be more hardy in warmer seasons, while some heaths, like winter heath, can actually bloom under snow.
It is extremely hardy in rocky landscapes with poor soil, or in areas with salty soil, such as coastal regions like Savannah or Hilton Head.
Try planting winter heath in mass plantings for a natural look over retaining walls or along pathways. They play very well with conifer varieties or anything else that requires slightly acidic soil.
Choose winter heath for it’s foliage color first, and bloom color second.