A Gardeners Forum Forums Gardening Reference Gardening in 2007 winter Heather

Pretty Purple flowers

This pretty bush is at my work and I am really curious what it is! Also, I would love to take some of it and plant it at my house...is that even possible? And if so, how?

Angelfaery,
You say bush??

Well, my first guess if you say a bush,
might be a
HEATHER??????????? ?????????

Got a side view picture of it *like how tall it is*???
And picture of leaves???

Others may be thru and they might know exactly,
give 'em a wee~bit...

That's a Heather, Winter (Erica) type probably.

Oh good, Thanks Daniel..
You know, I'd had one, a longggggg time ago..
Wasn't sure how winter tolerant it was,
the marker didn't say, and it was before the
"computer age", so wasn't 100% sure..
But the flower looked the same...

That's and awefully gorgeous plant, Angelfaery!!

Cool! Thanks for ID-ing it! I see it all over the place around this area and have always wondered what it is. They seem to be one of the first flowers to bloom and it is nice to see some color in winter!

Is it blooming now? Will it grow in zone 7?

Yes it has been blooming for about a month now I'd say. I don't know much about the zones but I think I am in zone 8.

You get two types (winter and summer) although they actually flower (in the UK anyway) in spring and Autumn/Fall (go figure!).

They're hardy (as they grow all over the place over hear) but need acidic (ericaceous) soil. So add composted bracken (they're natural companion) or conifer or leaf mould when planting.

They come in reds, pinks and purples and whites. Very pretty when planted in large groups.

Cut their heads off after flowering to keep them bushy.

I think that's all I've read on them?