Heather 'Darkness'

'Darkness' is a compact, evergreen heather that provides a vivid splash of colour in the late summer and autumn. It forms a dense mat of tiny, scale-like, mid-green leaves. During its peak, it is covered in upright spikes of deep crimson-purple flowers. This cultivar is quintessential for a British heath-style garden or for adding texture to a front-of-border display. It typically grows to about 30-40cm in height. Like most heathers, it is very hardy (H7) but strictly requires acidic soil to survive; in alkaline areas, it must be grown in pots with ericaceous compost. It thrives in full sun and well-drained, sandy or peaty soil. Pruning should be done in early spring by trimming off the old flower spikes to just below the spent blooms, which prevents the plant from becoming leggy and bare in the centre. It is an excellent plant for attracting late-season pollinators.

Sun: Full sun.

Soil: Acidic, well-drained soil.

Hardiness: H7 — below −20°C.

Flowering: Aug, Sep, Oct.