The snow heather or winter heather is a hardy plant that is an eye-catcher with its pink flowers even in the cold season.
The snow heather is a heather plant and is also called winter heather. The small dwarf shrub requires little care, is hardy and offers delicate pink flowers. As an evergreen shrub, Erica carnea is also very popular in beds that otherwise lie fallow in winter. With the right care and the right location, the plant is very undemanding.
General information about Schneeheide
The snow heather grows mainly in central or southern Europe in mountainous areas. It can thrive at altitudes of over 2,000 meters, but can also be found in the lowlands. The twigs are rather low-lying, which creates a carpet-like covering over the ground in the planted area, which is characterized by the small flowers.
It is a hardy plant that does not need special protection in cold temperatures. In fact, the winter heath can even handle temperatures as low as minus 25 degrees Celsius.
| Heather (Erica carnea) | |
|---|---|
| Growth: | dwarf shrub |
| Growth: | up to 30 cm |
| Growth: | up to 40 cm |
| Flower: | February to April |
| Location: | Sun to partial shade |
| Floor: | rich in humus, sandy, loamy |
Location and surroundings for the snow heath
Sun is no problem for the snow heath, nor is a location in partial shade. A fully shaded area, on the other hand, is not an ideal option as the plants will appreciate some warmth and light. The soil should be as permeable as possible and have a high proportion of humus. Sandy and loamy soils are a good basis. It is important to ensure that there is no waterlogging and no soil compaction.
Planting winter heather
Before you plant the snow heather, you should ideally loosen the soil a little and enrich it with humus. The root balls must be sufficiently covered with soil when planting. In theIn the first few weeks, the winter heath needs a lot of water as regularly as possible.
Planting Tips:
- Loosen the soil before planting
- holes deep enough to cover the root ball
- Water roots before planting
- Eight centimeters between plants
Note: Winter heather is often used as ground cover. This also means that the plants should be placed as close as possible. A maximum distance of 10 cm is recommended here.
Care for snow heather
There are different varieties of snow heather, but care is similar for the varieties. If you prefer red flowers, you can use the "Challenger". "Isabell" brings white flowers with her.
Water heather
The dwarf shrub is often used in areas where the ground should be covered by the growth. It is also in bloom in winter and is therefore a frequently used eye-catcher for the garden. Normally, the snow heather does not need heavy watering every day. However, if there is a dry period, it should be watered regularly.
Fertilize snow heather
Fertiliser is only necessary if the plants are older or the soil at the location does not provide sufficient nutrients. In this case, sufficient fertilizer should be used in spring.
Pruning winter heather
We recommend cutting every two years. This prevents the snow heather from becoming too bare in the central area and no longer bearing any flowers. It should therefore be pruned back to keep the plant full and strong.
Propagating snow heath
Schneeheide can be multiplied quite easily and quickly. The mature shoots form the basis for this. Waiting until summer. Then the shoots are fully mature and can be cut. The pruning is good for the plant and the shoots can be placed directly in the ground.
It is also important to keep the distance here. If the shoots are close together, the winter heather will also pull closer over the ground. So that everything grows well, you should pay more attention to sufficient watering in the first few weeks.
Possible pests and diseases on the snow heather
Winter heather is usually very easy to care for and does not suffer from pest infestation. However, there may be a sudden wilt in the plants. Should this be the case with the Schneeheide, liesan infestation with fungi. The plants can no longer be saved. They are to be removed from the soil and not disposed of in the compost.
The risk of wilt can be reduced if the soil is sufficiently permeable. This prevents waterlogging and the roots tending to mold.