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Erica darleyensis Ghost Hills - Winter Heath

Erica x darleyensis Ghost Hills
Winter Heath, Spring Heath, Snow Heather, Alpine Heath

4,2/5
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Good condition, good packaging.

gilles, 18/04/2023

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This plant carries a 24 months recovery warranty

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A spreading and vigorous shrub covered with a cloud of small bell-shaped flowers in a bright pink to mauve shade, between December and March-April depending on the climate. Perfec for when the garden lacks colour. Its young shoots are cream to pink and its very fine and light green evergreen foliage takes on lovely coppery reflections in autumn. A hardy undershrub, tolerating limestone soils quite well. Award-winning variety in England.
Flower size
3 mm
Height at maturity
40 cm
Spread at maturity
70 cm
Exposure
Sun
Hardiness
Hardy down to -23°C
Soil moisture
Dry soil, Moist soil
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Best planting time March, October
Recommended planting time April to May, August to November
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Flowering time January to March, December
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Description

Erica x darleyensis 'Ghost Hills' is a vigorous variety that spreads strongly on the ground to form large flowering cushions in winter. It transforms into a cloud of small bell-shaped flowers in a soft pink colour fading to pale mauve, in the heart of winter when the garden lacks colour. Its young shoots are pinkish. Its fine evergreen foliage is light green with cream spots when young, and sometimes takes on pretty coppery reflections in the cold. This hardy and accommodating heather was rewarded in England for its ornamental qualities and ease of cultivation. It will find its place in every garden. By associating different varieties with staggered flowering, Darley heathers form a patchwork of colours for 6 to 7 months, in the garden or in pots, even in slightly chalky and dry soil. 

 

Erica x darleyensis 'Ghost Hills' is a horticultural creation resulting from the cross-breeding between Erica carnea, native to mountainous areas of southern and central Europe, thriving on limestone soil, and the acidophilous Erica erigena, native to western Europe. This hybrid combines significant development, subtly coloured foliage, and bright flowering, although slightly less abundant than that of other varieties. This small, evergreen shrub, with a rounded and spreading habit, will reach approximately 45 cm (17.7 in) in height and 70 cm to 80 cm (27.6 in to 31.5 in) in width at maturity, with a rather slow growth. Its lifespan is around 10 to 15 years. 'Ghost Hills' blooms from December to March-April depending on the climate, in the form of small urn-shaped flowers in a tender pink colour quickly fading to very pale mauve with a violet tip. These flowers, 3 mm to 5 mm (0.1 in to 0.2 in) in length, are gathered in clusters measuring 3 cm to 10 cm (1.2 in to 3.9 in) and are scattered along the branches, amidst linear, obtuse leaves, 3 mm to 10 mm (0.1 in to 0.4 in) in length. The foliage of this variety is pinkish on the young shoots, then light green speckled with white cream, becoming light green at maturity.

 

Hardy and not demanding on the nature of the soil, it is a sturdy small shrub, ideal for the layout of winter heather beds, in the company of other varieties, notably the white and snowy 'Silberschmelze' variety, or the bright carmine pink of 'Kramer's Rote'. Darley heather is also an excellent ground cover, whether alone or with dwarf creeping conifers (Juniperus squamata 'Blue Star', J. horizontalis 'Blue Chip', J. repanda), or ground cover plants such as Antennaria dioica 'Rubra', edelweiss, Armeria maritima 'Rubrifolia', or Campanula portenschlagiana, for example.

Erica darleyensis Ghost Hills - Winter Heath in pictures

Erica darleyensis Ghost Hills - Winter Heath (Flowering) Flowering
Erica darleyensis Ghost Hills - Winter Heath (Foliage) Foliage
Erica darleyensis Ghost Hills - Winter Heath (Plant habit) Plant habit

Plant habit

Height at maturity 40 cm
Spread at maturity 70 cm
Habit creeping
Growth rate slow

Flowering

Flower colour pink
Flowering time January to March, December
Inflorescence Cluster
Flower size 3 mm
Bee-friendly Attracts pollinators
Flowering description Heather flowers are melliferous and more or less scented. They produce a high-quality honey, with a well-structured flavour and a dark colour.

Foliage

Foliage persistence Evergreen
Foliage colour green

Botanical data

Genus

Erica

Species

x darleyensis

Cultivar

Ghost Hills

Family

Ericaceae

Other common names

Winter Heath, Spring Heath, Snow Heather, Alpine Heath

Origin

Cultivar or hybrid

Product reference844091

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Planting and care

Erica x darleyensis 'Ghost Hills' appreciates full sun, which intensifies its flowering, and can grow in any type of soil, even clay or slightly chalky, as long as it is well drained and deeply loosened. Once well established, it can withstand anything, but its planting must be carefully done and watering should be followed during the first two years: if the root ball dries out while the root system is still underdeveloped, the plant will die. Conversely, an overwatered soil, especially in hot weather, can promote the development of a fungus called Phytophthora which, once established, will overcome this heather.

During planting, it is advisable to loosen the root ball a little, cut any long roots, and plant in a hole measuring 30x30 cm (11.8x11.8in), filled with a mixture of compost, ericaceous soil, and garden soil. Water it once or twice a week depending on the ambient temperature, to keep the soil moist while the plant establishes itself. To maintain a compact habit and increase the lifespan of the heather, it is useful, every year after flowering, to prune back the faded branches to 2 cm to 5 cm (0.8 in to 2 in) from the previous year's growth, being careful not to cut below the last green leaves. Erica can also be susceptible to pythium and rhizoctonia during hot and humid periods. Fertiliser is not necessary, it is even discouraged, to avoid promoting foliage production at the expense of flowering (heathers are generally plants of poor soils).

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Planting period

Best planting time March, October
Recommended planting time April to May, August to November

Intended location

Suitable for Meadow, Rockery
Type of use Border, Edge of border, Slope
Hardiness Hardy down to -23°C (USDA zone 6a) Show map
Ease of cultivation Amateur
Planting density 5 per m2
Exposure Sun
Soil pH Any
Soil type Silty-loamy (rich and light), Stony (poor and well-drained)
Soil moisture Dry soil, Moist soil, Well-drained, permeable soil, sandy, not too chalky.

Care

Pruning instructions To maintain a compact habit and increase the lifespan of the heather, it is helpful, every year after flowering, to prune the faded branches to 2 cm to 5 cm (0.8 in to 2 in) from the previous year's shoot, ensuring never to prune below the last green leaves.
Pruning Pruning recommended once a year
Pruning time April to May
Soil moisture Dry soil, Moist soil
Disease resistance Good
Overwinter Can be left in the ground
4,2/5
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