Erica carnea ‘Springwood White’

Erica carnea ‘Springwood white’ flower (12/12/2011, London)

Position: Full sun

Flowering period: Winter

Soil: Moist, well drained, not alkali

Eventual Height: 20cm

Eventual Spread: 40cm

Hardiness: 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a

Family: Ericaceae

Erica carnea ‘Springwood White’ is a low growing, compact evergreen shrub. The bright green leaves are needle like and are up yo 8mm long. The flowers are produced in winter to early spring and are borne in racemes. The individual flowers are bell shaped, up to 6mm long and white in colour with brown/ red tips.

Erica carnea ‘Springwood White’ is commonly known as Winter Flowering Heather, Winter Heath, Scotch Heath or Spring Heath. The species Erica carnea is native to the mountains of central and southern Europe. Erica carnea is synonymous with Erica herbacea and Erica mediterranea. It has a long pagan history, with uses in many pagan rituals.

The etymological root of the binomial name Erica is derived from the Latin name for Heather. Carnea is also derived from the Latin carnea ‘of the flesh’ or ‘carnal/ not spiritual’, presumably in reference to its pagan history.

Erica carnea ‘Springwood white’ (12/12/2011, London)

The landscape architect may find Erica carnea ‘Springwood White’ useful as a low growing, winter flowering evergreen ground cover plant, particularly in acidic or nutrient poor soils. This plant is drought tolerant once established and will tolerate maritime conditions.

Ecologically, Erica carnea ‘Springwood White’ is a valuable source of early nectar for bees and butterflies.

The Royal horticultural Society has given Erica carnea ‘Springwood White’ their prestigious Award of Garden Merit in 1993.

Erica carnea ‘Springwood White’  prefers moist, nutrient poor, well-drained soils. This plant prefers neutral to acid soils.

Erica carnea ‘Springwood White’ requires little maintenance. To promote a compact habit, the plant may be cut back after flowering.