This is one of two small heathers I put into the ground in September last year. The cultivar is Easter-Bonfire. They survived the extreme winter, but everyone I know who has heather has lost all or most of theirs. One of my regular client's has a well established and well protected patch of heather that appeared to have died completely this winter. It was completely brown above ground and all the needles had fallen off. But when I went to cut it at the ground, I saw a few tiny green needles and the stems appeared green inside right at the base of the plant. Apparently it was not completely dead.
A friend who planted heather earlier than I did last fall lost all of his. I can only guess that my two brand new heathers made it because they were planted in fabulous fine soil in a place that tends to stay wet. It is recommended that heather not be placed where they get exposure to harsh winds. This particular location is somewhat protected - it is not a hillside where it is very exposed, but there is a large open space to the south.
So if your heather is all brown before digging it up, check carefully for signs of life!
A friend who planted heather earlier than I did last fall lost all of his. I can only guess that my two brand new heathers made it because they were planted in fabulous fine soil in a place that tends to stay wet. It is recommended that heather not be placed where they get exposure to harsh winds. This particular location is somewhat protected - it is not a hillside where it is very exposed, but there is a large open space to the south.
So if your heather is all brown before digging it up, check carefully for signs of life!