Quick Guide: winter, hardy, full sun, height:25cm/10in, width: 60cm/24in

The winter-flowering heath, Erica carnea syn. E. herbacea, is a low-growing shrub excellent for ground cover and, unlike other heaths, will tolerate chalky soils. The foliage is usually green, sometimes golden, the bell-shaped flowers white or pink. Easy to grow, heaths are invaluable in low-maintenance gardens and wherever winter colour is needed.

GROWING An open sunny position is essential. Prepare the site by digging it over well. -Mix bonemeal into the top soil at 100g/m2 (4oz/sq yd) and top dress with a 7.5cm/3in layer of peat. Plant in spring or late autumn, making sure the plants are well firmed in with the stem completely buried. Set the plants between 30 and 45cm/12 and 18in apart in groups of 6 or more. Water well - do not let plants dry out, particularly in the first year. Cut right back after flowering to keep the plants dense and bushy.

PROPAGATION Take 5cm/2in cuttings of side shoots in late summer and insert in pots of a moist mixture of sharp sand and peat at 2:1. Place in a mist propagator until rooted and transfer to a cold frame or nursery bed. Plant out when l0cm/4in high.

VARIETIES `Cecilia M. Beale', white, and `Eileen Porter', pink; `Aurea', golden leaves, pink blooms; `Praecox Rubra', prostrate with pink flowers.

POSSIBLE PROBLEMS Generally trouble-free.