The snow heath (Erica carnea) occurs in the wild in subalpine and alpine locations up to an altitude of around 2,700 m above sea level. As a winter or early spring bloomer, the snow or winter heather can bring some color variation to the otherwise mostly monotonous winter color of the garden.
Is the snow heath hardy?
The snow heath (Erica carnea) is a hardy, winter or early spring bloomer that grows in alpine locations until 2. Occurs 700 m above sea level. However, if there are very severe frosts, winter protection should be ensured, especially if it is planted in a balcony box.
Don't confuse the snow heather with the heather
It is no coincidence that the snow heather is all too often confused with the so-called heather. This plant, also known as broom heather, tends to grow on boggy, acidic soils in mild heathland landscapes, while the alpine snow heather feels particularly comfortable on calcareous soils. Heather usually shows great differences in frost resistance between different cultivars and definitely needs winter protection in cool locations. On the other hand, the snow heath (which can be clearly identified by its leaves) only very rarely freezes if the temperature conditions are exceptionally cold or care errors have been made.
A winter decoration for the balcony box
Since most balcony flowers are only annuals or at least cannot be overwintered outdoors, balcony boxes are often completely removed in winter or at least left empty over the winter. But that doesn't have to be the case, as the snow heath is also well suited for planting in the balcony box. However, one problem that can arise is that the optimal time for planting snow heather is actually spring. However, this can be solved with a second set of balcony boxes (€39.00 on Amazon). The planters with the perennial snow heath are then simply placed in the sunniest possible spot in the garden in summer and watered sufficiently. The “performance” on the balcony finally takes place in autumn, which can last until April or May, depending on the weather.
Precautions when caring for snow heather
During the winter months, the following factors affect the snow heath:
- Sunlight
- Wind
- Temperature/Frost
In a balcony box, the snow heath plants are much more exposed to these environmental factors than in open ground. Therefore, the otherwise frost-hardy snow heather in the balcony box should be given a certain amount of winter protection if very severe frosts are to be expected. Since wind and sun can dry out the plant substrate dangerously, the areas between the plants should be covered with some leaves or brushwood and care should be taken to ensure sufficient watering on frost-free days.
Tip
Supposed frost damage is not always actually due to temperature-related death of the plants. So that the plants do not become bare from the inside after a few years, they should be pruned as regularly as possible.
