Erica carnea 'Sarah' – Care Guide

Erica carnea 'Sarah' is a compact, evergreen winter-flowering heather known for its masses of deep rose-pink blooms and reliable performance in cold, wet conditions. Flowering from mid-winter into early spring, it brings vital colour when little else is in bloom. Ideal for pots, rockeries, borders, and groundcover, it is hardy, low-maintenance, and tolerant of a wide range of soils.

Planting & Position

• Light:

  • Thrives in full sun or light partial shade.

  • Best flowering and colour in sunny positions.

• Soil:

  • Unlike many heathers, Erica carnea tolerates both acidic and slightly alkaline soils.

  • Requires well-drained but moist soil.

  • In containers, use a peat-free ericaceous or heather-friendly compost.

• Spacing:

  • Space plants 25–35 cm apart for groundcover.

  • Ideal for mass planting, edging, and mixed winter containers.

• Planting time:

  • Can be planted year-round if soil is workable, but best in autumn or spring.

Care & Maintenance

• Watering:

  • Water regularly while establishing.

  • Once established, drought tolerant but benefits from occasional watering during dry spells.

• Feeding:

  • Apply a light feed of slow-release heather or shrub fertiliser in spring.

  • Avoid heavy feeding.

• Pruning:

  • After flowering (late spring), lightly trim spent blooms to maintain a compact shape and encourage fresh growth.

  • Avoid cutting into old, woody stems.

• Mulching:

  • A light mulch of fine bark or compost helps retain moisture and suppress weeds.

• Hardiness:

  • Fully hardy and well-suited to cold, exposed, or windy locations.

Seasonal Interest & Uses

• Flowers:

  • Deep rose-pink to red flowers from late winter through early spring.

  • Provides reliable winter colour during the quietest months.

• Foliage:

  • Dense, needle-like evergreen foliage for year-round structure.

• Ideal uses:

  • Winter and early-spring containers

  • Rock gardens and gravel beds

  • Front of borders

  • Groundcover and mass planting

  • Pairing with other early-season plants such as hellebores, cyclamen, and dwarf conifers

• Wildlife:

  • Flowers provide early nectar for bees and pollinators.

In Summary:

Erica carnea 'Sarah' is a hardy, evergreen winter heather with rich pink flowers that brighten the garden when colour is most needed. Easy to grow, tolerant of a range of soils, and ideal for containers or groundcover, it is an excellent addition to any winter or early-spring planting scheme.

• Size
  P10.5

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