Erica x darleyensis ‘J.W. Porter’ (Erica carnea x Erica erigena) – An Award of Garden Merit winner with deep bronze-green winter foliage (with hints of burgundy) and attractive new spring growth of cream and red. The purplish-pink or mauve-pink flowers generally appear from February to May. ‘J.W. Porter’ grows 10″ high to 16″ wide, and is hardy to zone 6.

Erica carnea ‘Springwood White’ – Also known as Winter Heath, ‘Springwood White’ is an older variety with a slightly trailing habit. The snow-white urn-shaped blooms appear from late winter into early spring and are borne over bright green, needle-like foliage. At 6″ high, this is a very low growing cultivar which makes a useful flowering groundcover. Hardy to zone 5 and spreads up to 24″.

Erica carnea ‘Springwood Pink’ – Another of the Winter Heaths which is a great companion plant to ‘Springwood White’. The clear pink flowers are generally borne from February to April and these are nicely contrasted by forest green foliage. If properly maintained this is a long-lived shrub with a lifespan of about 20 years. Grows 6-8″ tall and 16″ wide. Hardy to zone 5.

Erica x darleyensis ‘Jack Brummage’ (Erica carnea x E. erigena) – An unusual cultivar with attractive bright gold foliage that picks up some bronze-orange highlights in winter. The rose-pink flowers can appear from late January and last until early spring. This gold-needled shrub is a good choice where contrast is lacking. Grows 12″ tall by 24″ wide, and is hardy to zone 6.

Erica x darleyensis ‘Kramer’s Red’ (syn. ‘Kramer’s Rote’) (Erica carnea x Erica erigena) – This cross of E. carnea ‘Myretown Ruby’ and E. erigena ‘Brightness’ is by far the best selling of the winter heathers. ‘Kramer’s Red’ features long-lasting deep magenta blooms that are contrasted by rich dark green foliage. Grows 15″ high by 24″ wide and is hardy to zone 6.