Heather Flower Grows Where

Heather flowers commonly grow in northern and western europe turkey and morocco and have been naturalized in parts of north america.

Heather flower grows where. By alan titchmarsh published. Heather grows freely and abundantly spreading it s glorious purple hues across around five million acres of scottish moorland glens and hills. Whilst it will grow if planted in the shade the golden or foliage forms will lose their foliage colour and flowering will be reduced. Ideally chose a moist but free draining site and if planting on a bank remember that these sites dry out quickly.

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. The dainty red pink or white flowers are held in clusters at the top of 15 to 20cm stems. 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. Originally from europe and some parts of asia this is an ancient flower with most associations closely held in scotland but also grows wild in mexico.

Perhaps it s because it was and still is so readily available that the scots have found so many practical uses for one of their national flowers. Avoid planting under trees or in wet boggy areas. Where to grow them. Heather is found under the l genus calluna under the ericaceae family.

The name heather is believed to come from the scottish word haeddre which was used to describe a heathland or a shrubland habitat. Needs an acid soil erica tetralix cross leaved heath. They tolerate poor rocky soil and even salt spray so they re marvelous along coastal hillsides where little else will grow. Plant heaths and heathers in open areas up hillsides or along pathways.

Heather in the landscape the larger heathers are particularly striking when planted in mass on a slope. It is especially popular in scotland. Heather is a relatively low maintenance plant growing happily in both full sun and part shade and able to thrive in poor acid sandy soils. Some tolerate neutral to alkaline soil.

Heathers for acidic soil. Many need lime free soil acidic that is rich in organic matter. In the wild it grows naturally in boggy places but will stand much drier conditions in the garden. Origins of the word heather.

The heather flower is an evergreen flowering shrub with hundreds of bell shaped flowers up and down it s spike like stems. 00 01 sat nov 12 2016. Calluna vulgaris common heather ling or simply heather is the sole species in the genus calluna in the flowering plant family ericaceae. Heather will grow well in full sun or light shade.

A mulch of bark or even lawn mower clippings will help to retain moisture and reduce weed growth. They pair especially well with dwarf conifers which require similar acidic soil conditions.