Italian Heather Plant Care

Overview

Italian or Mediterranean heather (Erica darleyensis) is also called Darley heath. It is actually a member of the heath family, rather than the heather. However, Italian heather is very similar in that it's an evergreen shrub or groundcover. It forms a mounded, bushy shape with hundreds of tiny, pink bell-shaped flowers. Blooming from November through May, it is hardy in zones 6 to 9. Italian heather is perfect for the rock garden, as an edging plant, or mass-planted on a hillside.

Step 1

Choose a site with full sun and well-drained soil. Plant container-grown plants in either the spring or fall. Dig a hole to accommodate your plant. Mix in one part peat moss to two parts soil.

Step 2

Place the heather plant in the hole and cover with soil and compact it to remove any air pockets. Water generously.

Step 3

Cover the base of the heather with a generous amount of mulch to keep in the moisture.

Step 4

Water heather during periods of excessive heat or dry spells.

Step 5

Deadhead spent flower spikes by snipping off right below the flowerhead. This will encourage more blooms as well as help keep the plant's shape.