(Cornish Heather)

Fine, bright green foliage may turn russet-brown in the chill of winter on Cornish heather, and summer finds tip-clusters of tiny rose, pink or white flowers. A robust, hardy, evergreen shrub with a rounded shape but with rather open branches, it is native to Ireland, England, western France and Spain. This heather is among the easiest to grow and is very popular in gardens worldwide.

Its foliage is small and needle-like, bright green and attractive on the upward-reaching stems. From midsummer...

(Cornish Heather, Mrs D.F. Maxwell Heather)

Fine, bright green foliage may turn russet-brown in the chill of winter on the Mrs. D.F. Maxwell heather, and summer finds tip-clusters of tiny rose-pink flowers. A robust, hardy, evergreen shrub with a low, rounded or mounding shape, this selection was found on the Lizard Peninsula in Cornwall, England.

Its foliage is small and needle-like, bright o dark green and attractive on the upward-reaching stems. From midsummer to mid-fall, the branch tips are heavily lined in clusters of bell-shaped...

(Hybrid Heath)

The hybrid of winter heath and Irish heath, this low evergreen shrub bears clusters of small white to rose-pink bell-shaped flowers over many weeks in winter and early spring. The small, needle-like, whorled leaves are typically dark green, but in some cultivars are yellow, bronze, or variegated.

This plant prefers well-drained, slightly acidic soil, full sun, and protection from drying winds. It tolerates neutral soil and short periods of drought. It is often used in the rock garden, or as an...

(Furzey Heath, Hybrid Heath)

A hybrid of winter heath and Irish heath, Furzey heath is a low evergreen shrub bearing clusters of small, deep rose-pink bell-shaped flowers over many weeks in winter and early spring. The small, needle-like, whorled leaves are dark green, tipped with pink in the spring.

This plant prefers well-drained, slightly acidic soil, full sun, and protection from drying winds. It tolerates neutral soil and short periods of drought. It is often used in the rock garden, or as an edging or ground cover.

(Ghost Hills Heath, Hybrid Heath)

The hybrid of winter heath and Irish heath, Ghost hills heath is a low evergreen shrub bearing clusters of small red-purple, bell-shaped flowers over many weeks in winter and early spring. The small, needle-like, whorled leaves are grren tipped with silver.

This plant prefers well-drained, slightly acidic soil, full sun, and protection from drying winds. It tolerates neutral soil and short periods of drought. It is often used in the rock garden, or as an edging or ground cover.

(Hybrid Heath, Kramer's Rote Heath)

One of many cultivars of this hybrid heath, this low evergreen shrub bears sprays of small magenta bell-shaped flowers over many weeks in winter and early spring. The small, needle-like, whorled leaves are bronze-green.

'Kramer's Rote' prefers well-drained, slightly acidic soil, full sun, and protection from drying winds. It tolerates neutral soil and short periods of drought. It works well in the rock garden, or as an edging or ground cover.

(Hybrid Heath, Mediterranean Pink Heath)

One of many cultivars of this hybrid heath, this low evergreen shrub bears sprays of small purplish-pink bell-shaped flowers over many weeks in winter and early spring. The small, needle-like, whorled leaves are medium green.

'Mediterranean Pink' prefers well-drained, slightly acidic soil, full sun, and protection from drying winds. It accepts neutral soil and short periods of drought, and is one of the most heat-tolerant heaths. It works well in the rock garden, or as an edging or ground cover.

(Hybrid Heath, Mediterranean White Heath)

One of many cultivars of this hybrid heath, this vigorous low evergreen shrub bears sprays of fragrant white bell-shaped flowers over many weeks in winter and early spring. The small, needle-like, whorled leaves are medium green.

'Mediterranean White' prefers well-drained, slightly acidic soil, full sun, and protection from drying winds. It accepts neutral soil and short periods of drought. It works well in the rock garden, or as an edging or ground cover.

(Aguirre, Goldenweed, Turpentine Bush)

The bright blooms of this small, drought resistant evergreen shrub from southwestern North America help visually carry desert gardens through fall. Its upright, branching, waist-high stems are furnished with verdant, needle-like foliage. The leaves contain a turpentine-scented resin that discourages herbivores. The lower branches of this dense mounding shrub may become barren with age. Brilliant yellow daisy flowers envelop the plant in fall, providing valuable nectar for bees and butterflies. Flowers...

(Dwarf Blue Rabbitbrush, Rubber Rabbitbush)

The bright blooms of this small, drought resistant evergreen shrub color the plains and deserts of western North America in late summer and early fall. Its upright, branching, knee-high to head-high stems are furnished with narrow, fuzzy, silvery or green leaves. The lower branches of this dense mounding shrub may become barren with age. Clusters of frothy, brilliant yellow flowers envelop the plant in late summer and early fall, providing valuable nectar for bees and butterflies. Flowers are followed...