Winter Fire

Awesome South African Cape Heath! We see this plant blooming in winter for us here in California, while others on the net say it blooms in spring. Maybe it is a regional thing. The plant is tall and stiff, growing to 3 ft tall and 2 ft wide. It is quite floriferous with its red, 'hummingbird' flowers that are loaded with nectar. As it is tender and only hardy to 28 degrees F, it may be a plant to protect in a greenhouse in winter. We do not get this cold often, but if there is a warning, we move the plant into a protected greenhouse. Some heather specialists have said that this plant is most likely a hybrid between E. mammosa and E. oatesii. This is a rare plant, and will not be found in your local garden center.