Erica × darleyensis Darley Heath, Winter Heath ER-i-ka x dar-
lee-EN-sis - Broadleaf evergreen ground cover/shrub, to 2 ft (60
cm), with equal or greater spread, multistemmed. Similar to
Erica carnea, but taller, more vigorous and with better frost
hardiness. Leaves needle-like, to 13 mm, in whorls. Flowers
white to rose, appear in late fall and may continue until mid-
spring (i.e., winter blooming). Many cultivars, plant habit
ranges from dense, compact to open and upright, and flower
colors range from white to shades of pink and purple. - Sun.
Survives in poor growing conditions, even alkaline soils. Needs
good drainage. - Hardy to USDA Zone 6 Natural hybrid of E.
erigena ´ E. carnea. Krüssmann(1976, p. 35) states that the
leaves, young branches and flowers of Erica × darleyensis are
"not distinguishable from those of the parents, especially on
young plants". However, it can be differentiated from its
parents because it flowers from November to May and is more
vigorous than E. carnea and less than E. erigena.