Selected seedling from the deliberate crossing in 1999 of Erica carnea ‘Treasure Trove‘ x Erica erigena ‘Irish Dusk‘; made, selected and named by David Wilson.
One of the toughest and more tolerant of heaths to a variety of soils and moisture conditions, this early blooming variety features salmon-pink flowers along upright spikes in late winter and early spring; makes a great groundcover in mass plantings
Ornamental Features
Winter Treasure Heath is clothed in stunning spikes of salmon bell-shaped flowers with pink overtones rising above the foliage from late winter to early spring. It has dark green foliage. The tiny needles remain dark green throughout the winter. The fruit is not ornamentally significant.
Landscape Attributes
Winter Treasure Heath is a multi-stemmed evergreen shrub with a mounded form. It lends an extremely fine and delicate texture to the landscape composition which should be used to full effect.
This is a relatively low maintenance shrub, and should only be pruned after flowering to avoid removing any of the current season's flowers. It is a good choice for attracting bees to your yard. It has no significant negative characteristics.
Winter Treasure Heath is recommended for the following landscape applications;
- Mass Planting
- General Garden Use
- Groundcover
- Naturalizing And Woodland Gardens
Planting & Growing
Winter Treasure Heath will grow to be about 14 inches tall at maturity, with a spread of 18 inches. It tends to fill out right to the ground and therefore doesn't necessarily require facer plants in front. It grows at a medium rate, and under ideal conditions can be expected to live for approximately 20 years.
This shrub should only be grown in full sunlight. It does best in average to evenly moist conditions, but will not tolerate standing water. It is not particular as to soil type, but has a definite preference for acidic soils, and is subject to chlorosis (yellowing) of the leaves in alkaline soils. It is somewhat tolerant of urban pollution. Consider applying a thick mulch around the root zone in winter to protect it in exposed locations or colder microclimates. This particular variety is an interspecific hybrid.