If you want to add a good splash of winter colour to your garden, try growing winter flowering heathers. Most heathers prefer acidic soil with a pH of 4.5 to 5.0 but the many varieties of Erica carnea, Erica x darleyensis, Erica x williamsii and Erica vagans can be grown in alkaline soil.
Many bloom from November to March and some have very attractive foliage which provides a good contrast to the flower colour. They come in a range of colours in shades of white, pink, red and purple, and form good ground cover plants ranging in height from 6 inches to 24 inches.
Grow them together in beds for a dramatic swathe of winter colour or use them to fill gaps in the rock garden. Heathers can be grown in containers but they hate having dry roots so make sure they are well watered during dry periods.
They are low maintenance plants which only require a small amount of pruning. Just trim them lightly after flowering is finished. Don't cut back hard but follow the contours of the plant to keep it looking neat and tidy, pruning just underneath the spent flowers.
Gardening blog featuring a medium sized traditional English garden with mature trees, shrubs, lawn, herbaceous borders, vegetable patch, greenhouse and containers. All photos have been taken in my garden.
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