Heather Plant Growing Zones

Heathers grow best in an open sunny situation.

Heather plant growing zones. When shopping for new plants for your garden landscape the terms plant hardiness zones growing zones and planting zones may at first seem a bit confusing. These low mounding shrubs are the king of scotland the famous heather of the highlands. Heath erica carnea also called spring heath prefers zones 5 through 7. The general range for many heathers is zones 4 to 6 although several varieties can grow in zones 3 to 10.

Many need lime free soil acidic that is rich in organic matter. In essence plant hardiness zones have been used by growers for years to. Both plants belong to the ericaceae plant family but botanists placed each into its own genus. Yet gardeners continue planting heather and experimenting with how to care for heather with enthusiasm for the attractive long blooming ground cover shrub.

They are hardier than e. The us department of agriculture divided out the map of the us in areas which range from planting zone 1a to planting zone 13b. Heather has specific soil requirements to grow healthily in a pot. Carnea zone 4 although not as tidy and bloom from june until september.

Planting zones or growing zones are illustrated on a map known as the usda plant hardiness zone map. 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. 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. Any zones further south are said to be too hot for the heather shrub.

Golden foliaged varieties will need to be planted full sun in order to keep their bright colours. Read the information for the cultivar you choose to be sure it will thrive in your area and make it through the winter. Plant heathers so that the foliage is resting on the ground and no part of the root ball is showing above. Heathers often called scottish heather all belong to the species calluna vulgaris.

For the heather lover in the north these are the plants of choice as opposed to the true heaths which offer more colors but are generally less hardy. The winter spring flowering heathers will tolerate some shade but won t flower as well. It likes highly acidic soil with a ph level of around 4 5 6. Heathers for acidic soil.

The earliest flowering cultivars begin flowering in late july while late cultivars may not bloom until october november. These are areas which range in minimum temperatures from 60 degrees fahrenheit to 70 degrees fahrenheit. Some sources report that growing heather is limited to usda plant hardiness zones 4 to 6 while others include zone 7. Calluna are typically hardy in zones 5 7 but may thrive as far north as zone 3 with adequate winter protection or snow cover.

Some sources find difficulties with the plant s vigor and blame it on soil moisture content and wind.