Christmas Heather, Black-Eyed Heather

Frost Tolerance: Hardy to 28°F (-2°C)

Sun Exposure: Light shade inland, full sun on the coast

Origin: South Africa (Southern Cape)

Growth Habits: Evergreen shrub or twisted small tree, 5 to 12 feet tall (1.5-3.6 m), or more, 4 feet in spread (1.2 m); dark green needle-like leaves, 0.25 inch long (6 mm), with white undersides.

Flowers: Pink flowers, in early fall to late winter

Watering Needs: Likes moist acid soil, tolerates some drought, needs good drainage, infrequent deep watering in summer

Propagation: Seeds, cuttings in late spring

Good cut flowers.

Blooming Habits:
Profusion of pale pink to purplish cup-shaped flowers with black center, 0.12 inch in diameter (3 mm), in terminal clusters of 3 to 6, in fall and winter. The flower color varies with conditions, and the plants grown outside in cooler conditions are darker colored.