In a suitable location, the winter or snow heather (Erica carnea) is not one of the particularly high-maintenance plants in the garden. Nevertheless, you should take some time for a pruning after the flowering period if you want to enjoy your plants the same way.

In order for the winter heather to bloom profusely in autumn/winter, it must be pruned back in spring

Pruning promotes compact growth

Without regular pruning, the snow heath reaches a maximum height of about 30 cm. However, the perennial plants get a gnarled appearance over the years and can become bare from below. Often, however, the specimens of the winter heath planted in groups should form a carpet that is as regular as possible with delicate flowers. For this, a pruning of the plants at least every two years (but better annually) is essential. In addition, compact plants can also take less damage from a heavy snow cover.

Make sure you get the timing right

When pruning the winter heather, you should definitely pay attention to the right time and not confuse the plants with the similar-looking varieties of common heather. In order for the snow heather in your garden to bloom lushly in the following year, numerous flower buds must be formed in autumn. However, this is only the case if a relatively vigorous pruning is carried out immediately after flowering in spring, which also stimulates the growth of young plant shoots. Of course, this does not apply if the winter heather was only planted in the same spring and has yet to really take root in the ground.

Prevent the development of bald spots with a targeted cut

The winter heather is one of the semi-shrubs that can tend to become bare from the center of the plant if it is not pruned to make it smaller. That's why it's important that regular pruning gives young shoots the chance to get enough light and healthy growth. Even sparing use of fertilizer alone cannot counteract the risk of bare vegetation if the snow heather is not pruned. The following things should be considered when pruning:

  • use clean cutting tools with sharp edges
  • don't cut too much into the old wood
  • shorten the plants by about a third

tips

The winter heath can be propagated by division or by cuttings. If you plan to propagate by cuttings, the spring cut should be a little more subtle in the year in question. Then you can cut about 3 to 5 cm long and semi-lignified cuttings in midsummer, which you can root in evenly moist substrate.

Category:

Vegetable garden