Erica 'Winter Crown'® P13

Choosing the Right Location and Preparing the Soil

Erica ‘Winter Crown’® is a hardy winter-flowering heather, prized for its vibrant pink-red blooms that appear when few other plants are in flower. Its compact, evergreen growth and long-lasting colour make it an ideal choice for winter beds, rock gardens, and containers. To achieve healthy growth and abundant flowering, correct soil preparation and positioning are essential.

• Light Requirements: Prefers full sun, though it can tolerate light shade. Full sun ensures strong colour and dense growth.

• Soil Type: Requires acidic to neutral, well-drained soil. Avoid chalky or alkaline ground, which can cause chlorosis and poor flowering.

• Soil Preparation: Dig the planting area to twice the width of the root ball. Incorporate ericaceous compost or peat-free acidic compost to maintain soil pH and structure.

• Drainage: Heather dislikes waterlogged soil. If your soil is heavy, add grit or coarse sand to improve drainage.

• Location: Ideal for borders, heather gardens, or mixed plantings with other acid-loving species. Also grows well in containers with suitable compost.

• Spacing: Space plants 25–30 cm apart to allow air circulation and create a full, carpet-like effect.

Planting and Establishment

Proper planting helps Erica ‘Winter Crown’® establish quickly and ensures strong growth through the colder months.

• Planting Time: Best planted in spring or early autumn when the soil is moist and temperatures are mild. Avoid planting during frost or extreme summer heat.

• Hole Size: Dig a hole the same depth as the root ball and about twice its width. The crown of the plant should sit level with the soil surface.

• Plant Preparation: Gently remove the plant from its pot and tease out any tangled roots to encourage outward growth.

• Backfilling: Mix excavated soil with ericaceous compost and refill the hole, pressing lightly to remove air pockets but not compacting too tightly.

• Watering After Planting: Water thoroughly to settle the soil and establish root contact. Maintain steady moisture during the first growing season.

• Mulching: Apply a 5 cm layer of pine bark, leaf mould, or composted needles around the base to retain moisture and suppress weeds. Keep mulch away from the stems to avoid rot.

• Container Growing: Use an ericaceous potting mix, add extra grit for drainage, and water regularly. Position containers in a bright, sunny spot.

Aftercare and Maintenance

Erica ‘Winter Crown’® is a low-maintenance plant once established but benefits from a few simple seasonal care routines to maintain shape, colour, and health.

• Watering: Keep soil consistently moist, especially in dry periods. Use rainwater when possible, as it helps maintain soil acidity. Avoid waterlogging.

• Feeding: In early spring, apply a slow-release fertiliser for acid-loving plants or a light top dressing of ericaceous compost. Avoid lime-based feeds.

• Pruning: After flowering, lightly trim the faded blooms and upper growth to encourage bushy new shoots. Do not cut into old woody stems, as this can prevent regrowth.

• Pest and Disease Control: Generally resistant to pests, though root rot may occur in poorly drained conditions. Improve air circulation and drainage to prevent fungal issues.

• Winter Care: Fully hardy, but in exposed or windy locations, a layer of mulch will protect the roots from frost.

• Rejuvenation: Every few years, replace older plants or take cuttings in late summer to refresh the display.

• Companion Planting: Combine with Calluna, dwarf conifers, or small Rhododendrons for varied texture and seasonal interest.

With proper soil, light, and occasional trimming, Erica ‘Winter Crown’® rewards with months of vivid winter colour and neat, evergreen foliage, adding life and brightness to the garden when it’s needed most.

• Size
  P13

We currently only deliver within the island of Ireland, other countries can be quoted for by contacting [email protected] or via telephone on 06964084
 

Standard Delivery is FREE on orders over €250*

All standard deliveries will be completed within 5-7 working days via Fastway Couriers, any delay to this delivery time, the customer will be notified by One of our staff.

The in-Store delivery charge will vary compared with online, in-store delivery charge is done on a case by case basis. 

* Only mainland Ireland addresses qualify for free delivery.
 

Live Plants Delivery

Our live plants are packed with care and diligence by our staff, our horticulturists review each plant before despatch to ensure quality is maintained.
Live Plant delivery charges are not calculated on weight but on the space required per package to ensure safe delivery, so delivery charges may vary as some plants require more space than others when packed.
All live plants are despatched within 3-5 working days where possible, our couriers aim to deliver within 48 hours of despatch from our Garden Centre to allow the plant to arrive in healthy condition.
 

Click & Collect

Can’t wait for delivery? Why not try our FREE Click & Collect service? Simply make your purchase online and collect it from our store located in Croagh Co. Limerick. Our staff will contact you by phone when your order is ready for collection (Please allow 24 hours minimum). When collecting your item, call the store on 069-64084. We will then load into your car as required. This service is available in-store 9am – 6pm Monday – Saturday (No collections on Sundays)

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If you have any further questions about the online order payment please contact us via ­069 640 84 or mail.