- Full Sun (At Least 6 Hours Of Direct Sunlight)
- Mature Height 12 - 18 Inches
- Mature Spread 12 - 18 Inches
- Growing Zones 5 - 8
Calluna vulgaris Winter Chocolate is a vibrant variety of heather with year-round color that you have to see to believe. In the spring, its long wands are creamy salmon colored. In the summer, the foliage takes on golden and orange tones with pink tips. Lavender blooms cover the tips from late summer until fall. In winter, the foliage turns rich shades of chocolate and bronze. Its fine texture and outstanding color will take center stage in any garden setting.
This evergreen shrub has a mounding, dense habit that reaches 12 – 18 inches tall and 2 – 3 feet wide. This heather is easy to grow as long as its culture requirements are met. It is waterwise once established and is resistant to deer. It is cold hardy to zone 5 and will retain its colorful foliage all winter. The flowers attract bees and butterflies in the summer months. Use it as a vibrant groundcover or plant it in drifts with other heathers to create a colorful tapestry effect.
Winter Chocolate Heather Care
Winter Chocolate thrives in full sun, which will bring out its best colors. It prefers sandy, well-drained soil with an acidic pH. Alkaline soil can cause chlorosis and poor growth; you can amend such soil with sulfur or peat moss to increase the acidity. Winter Chocolate can be planted any time of the year, except during extreme heat or frost. Water regularly to keep the soil evenly moist, but never let it sit in standing water. Apply a thick layer of mulch in winter to protect the roots from frost and keep the weeds down.
Lightly shear this shrub after flowering to maintain a full, compact appearance. Avoid cutting into old wood because this will stunt new growth.
Winter Chocolate Heather Spacing
For mass planting, space individual plants approximately 2 feet apart on center and stagger the rows to create a natural appearance.If growing in a container, select a pot that is weather resistant with good drainage. The pot diameter should be at least 20 inches.
Winter Chocolate Heather Information
| USDA Hardiness Zones: 5 - 8 |
| Plant Type: Bushes |
| Light Exposure: Full Sun (At Least 6 Hours Of Direct Sunlight) |
| Mature Height: 12 - 18 Inches |
| Mature Spread: 2 - 3 Feet |
| Spacing: 2 - 3 Feet |
| Habit: Mounded |
| Flower Color(s): Purple |
| Flower Description: |
| Bloom Period: Summer |
| Foliage Type: Evergreen |
| Foliage Color(s): Green |
| Foliage Description: Variegated |
| Seasonal Interest: Summer Flowering |
| Watering: Average |
| Resists: Deer |
| Tolerates: Drought |
| Attracts: Butterflies |
| Container Role: |
| Uses: Borders, Groundcovers, Mass Planting, Wildlife Gardens |
| Features: Attracts Pollinators, Foliage Interest, Low Maintenance |
| Brand: |
| Common Name: Winter Chocolate Heather |
| Other Name(s): |
| Scientific Name: CALLUNA VULGARIS `WINTER CHOCOLATE` |
- SKU:
- 1231005297-pc
Container Sizes
Please Note: The pictures below are to give a general representation of the different container sizes. The actual size/ages of plants are estimates and will vary based on; type of plant, time of year, last pruning & many other factors.
4.5" Pot
Also Known As:
4.5" Container
Plant Age:
~ 6 months
Plant Size:
~ 3"-6"
Pot Size:
~ 4.5"H x 3.75"W
Volume:
1.42 quarts
Quart Pot
Also Known As:
Quart
Plant Age:
~ 6 months - 1 year
Plant Size:
~ 4"-8"
Pot Size:
~ 4.75"H x 4.5"W
Volume:
1.50 quarts
2.5 Quart
Also Known As:
2.5 Quart Pot
Plant Age:
~ 1 - 2 years old
Plant Size:
~ 8"-12"
Pot Size:
~ 6.5"H x 6.5"W
Volume:
2.20-2.30 quarts
#1 Pot
Also Known As:
#1 Container
1 Gallon
Plant Age:
~ 1 - 2 years old
Plant Size:
~ 10"-14"
Pot Size:
~ 7"H x 7.75"W
Volume:
2.26-3.73 quarts
#2 Pot
Also Known As:
#2 Container
2 Gallon
Plant Age:
~ 1.5 - 3 years old
Plant Size:
~ 12"-18"
Pot Size:
~ 9.5"H x 9.5"W
Volume:
1.19-1.76 gallons
#3 Pot
Also Known As:
#3 Container
3 Gallon
Plant Age:
~ 2 - 4 years old
Plant Size:
~ 12"-30"
Pot Size:
~9.5"H x 11"W
Volume:
2.32-2.76 gallons
For more detailed information, please click here.
Plant Addicts Guarantee (Included On All Plant Orders)
Plant Addicts always guarantees your plant(s) will arrive happy & healthy. However, plant(s) are being shipped through the mail & sometimes accidents happen. If the plant is dead, has dried out roots or the incorrect item was shipped, just notify Plant Addicts within 3 days upon delivery. We may ask for pictures but will try to make it as easy as possible for you. Please note, plant(s) with damaged branches or wilted leaves will not qualify for this guarantee. Plants are very resilient and will rebound quickly when cared for correctly.
For more information on how to care for your new plants, please click on our guide below.
Guide: How to Care for Your New Plant(s)
Plant Addicts Warranty - 1 Year (Extra Purchase Required)
We encourage all plant lovers to purchase the Plant Addicts Warranty, whether you're a new gardener or an expert. There are many variables outside of anyone's control that can cause a plant to die. Hungry animals, drought, poor soil conditions, over watering, diseases & pests are all good examples of what can cause plants to die. The Plant Addicts Warranty is a 1 year warranty protecting you from all of the unknowns and will replace your plant if something were to happen to it.
The warranty is purchased on a per plant basis and must be purchased at the same time as the plant(s). We will cover 100% of the price of the plant, but the warranty does not cover shipping costs. SImply let us know if your plant has died within 1 year of receiving it and we will get you a new one shipped out as soon as possible (depending on the time of the year and availability). We may ask for photos for documentation purposes, but we try to make the process as easy as possible.
For more information, please click on our page below.
Plant Shipping
Below are some factors we consider when determining when to ship the plants depending on the timing of the order.
Winter to Early Spring
We ship only when it's warm enough to plant in your growing zone.
Sometimes plants aren't completely ready to sell and ship in early spring. We will wait until the plants are ready before shipping so you don't get a subpar product.
For Southern plants we will be able to ship much earlier than plants coming from our northern nursery.
Summer
If there is extreme heat we may delay shipping for a week or several weeks.
We review what areas the plants are traveling through as well as your location.
Fall into Winter
We’ll ship plants out all the way up to the end of the fall planting season!
Winter
Get your order in early to reserve your plants for Spring planting!
Once your plant is shipped you’ll receive an automated email with tracking information.
Click here for more detailed shipping information.
Planter Shipping
Standard Colors: 2-3 business days
Special Order Colors: 8 weeks - this is due to the planter being custom made with the color(s) of your choice
Please Note: On special orders there can not be any cancellations