A vigorous winter flowering heather that tolerates lime but not shallow chalk; very floriferous. The first written records of heaths and heather's are found during the Greek and Roman civilisations with the books of Theophrastus and Pliny the Elder. In 1753, the Swedish botanist Linnaeus recorded 23 species of Erica in his book Species Plantarum, many originating in Africa. In the early nineteenth century the growing of heaths and heather's became very fashionable, with over 400 varieties, mainly of Southern African origin, being grown. The fashion waned towards the end of the century but was resurrected in the mid twentieth century with the cultivation of the hardy species and cultivars of Erica, Daboecia and Calluna. In 1963 the Heather Society of Great Britain was founded and is today responsible for horticultural nomenclature and registration. Erica carnea ‘Springwood White’ was a foundling plant discovered growing on Monte Corragio, Italy by Mrs Ralph Walker of Springwood, Stirling, Scotland. Originally just called ‘Springwood’ but changed when ‘Springwood Pink’ appeared as an offspring. Received RHS Award of Merit in 1930.