Little success with heathers

I would love to grow heathers as a low maintenance, ground cover plant.

I have tried over the past few years but my plants end up sparse and spindly. I do use ericaceous compost any ideas?

Regards
Cameron

 

Do you cut your heathers back after flowering to keep them compact? There is low maintenance and no maintenance!!

Do you know your soil pH (acid or alkaline?) Different species of heathers like different soil types.