False Heather Plant Botanical Name

Although heather like in appearance this plant is not a member of the heather family hence the sometimes used common name of false heather.

False heather plant botanical name. Flowers are attractive to hummingbirds and butterflies. It grows 1 2 tall and makes a nice edging for the front of a border. Calluna vulgaris common heather ling or simply heather is the sole species in the genus calluna in the flowering plant family ericaceae. Cuphea species are concentrated in tropical regions of central america with this one native to mexico and parts of guatemala.

The plant requires part shade to shaded. Heathers calluna heaths erica and irish heath daboecia thrive in an open sunny position but will tolerate light shade such as under high canopied deciduous trees. Heathers for acidic soil. Cuphea hyssopifolia the false heather mexican heather hawaiian heather or elfin herb is a small evergreen shrub native to mexico guatemala and honduras.

The species name alludes to the similarity of the foliage to that of the european herb hyssop. It has won several international flower awards and it grows up to 20 inches in height. Blooms profusely summer to frost. False heather grows best in full.

It attracts both butterflies and hummingbirds. Species name alludes to the similarity of the foliage to that of the european herb hyssop. Some white and pink flowered cultivars are available. It is a low growing evergreen shrub growing to 20 to 50 centimetres 7 9 to 19 7 in tall or rarely to 1 metre 39 in and taller 2 and is found widely in europe and asia minor on acidic soils in open sunny situations and in moderate shade.

Commonly referred to as mexican heather or false heather it is of no relation to the european family of heathers. Other common names false heather elfin herb synonyms cuphea hyssopifolia purple family lythraceae. Many need lime free soil acidic that is rich in organic matter. It heaviest bloom period occurs in summer with some flowers present almost all year.

Firefly calluna vulgaris also known as the scottish heather this plant consists of deep mauve petals and is one of the showiest types of heather plants. Some tolerate neutral to alkaline soil. 1 2 it grows to about 60 cm 24 in high by 90 cm 35 in wide and has purple lavender or white coloured flowers and fine foliage. A shrubby dependable evergreen perennial that grows to 2 tall and 4 wide the false heather bears small closely set leaves and tiny rose red flowers.

An annual in the st. Flowers appear singly in the leaf axils along stems crowded with lance shaped glossy green leaves to 3 4 long. It was classified by patrick browne 1720 1790 the irish physician best known for writing on plants of jamaica. In some regions this plant is known as the elfin herb due to its small flowers and foliage.