Heather Plant Growing Conditions

Calluna vulgaris common heather ling or simply heather is the sole species in the genus calluna in the flowering plant family ericaceae 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 and is found widely in europe and asia minor on acidic soils in open sunny situations and in moderate shade.

Heather plant growing conditions. Golden foliaged varieties will need to be planted full sun in order to keep their bright colours. It likes highly acidic soil with a ph level of around 4 5 6. Heather has specific soil requirements to grow healthily in a pot. Heathers grow best in an open sunny situation.

They pair especially well with dwarf conifers which require similar acidic soil conditions. Plant heather in sandy loam soil that contains organic matter. They tolerate poor rocky soil and even salt spray so they re marvelous along coastal hillsides where little else will grow. Heather is frequently called by the names heather scotch heather ling or scottish heather.

They spread out more than grow up. Heather in the landscape the larger heathers are particularly striking when planted in mass on a slope. Heather needs at least a half day of sun minimum of six hours of sun a day. 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.

Heather may be planted in the fall or early spring so the plants may become established. Too much shade makes the plants leggy and affects the brilliance of their color. Organic matter like sphagnum peat moss well aged cow manure pine bark humus leaf mold or compost will help heather grow properly and beautifully. Heathers for acidic soil these flower from late summer to autumn and include all calluna and daboecia cantabrica.

Plant heathers so that the foliage is resting on the ground and no part of the root ball is showing above. Depending on the variety heaths and heathers grow only to be about one to two feet tall. The growing conditions and care needs of both heath and heather are so similar that you can plant them in the same section of the garden without any trouble. Full sun is better as the foliage colors intensify when fully exposed.

Forms of foliage will vary with the type of heather you plant and with the age of the shrub. The heather flower is tolerant of sea spray and resistant to deer. Many cultivars of heather offer changing brilliant and colorful foliage at different. The attractive changing foliage of this specimen of the ericaceae family is another reason for planting heather.

You ll need different soil for heather either buy an ericaceous potting mix or make your own by adding half 50 of peat moss 20 of perlite and 10 each of garden soil sand and compost or farm manure. The winter spring flowering heathers will tolerate some shade but won t flower as well. Plant heaths and heathers in open areas up hillsides or along pathways. Growing heather requires acidic sandy or loamy soil that is well drained and provides protection from damaging winds.

These heathers need a light sandy soil enriched with organic matter.