The Calluna vulgaris family, flowering in the Summer and late Autumn require an acid soil and a lighter soil structure whereby the plants can get their fine roots to penetrate the soil easily. Some of the other Summer flowering heather requiring the same conditions are Erica cinerea , Erica tetralix , Erica x williamsii , Erica ciliaris , Erica x watsonii , Erica x stuartii , Erica mackaiana and Daboecia.
Erica vagans , the Cornish heather a Summer flowering heather will tolerate heavier soils and is generally described as moderately lime tolerant. Tree or shrub heathers, some lime tolerant and scented growing to around 2 m in height are usually available in early Spring and display their long spikes of white to rich purple flowers on green or gold foliage.
The smaller purchased heather plants are normally planted in the top few centimetres of soil and if planted in the Spring this is the soil layer that dries out very quickly in hot weather, therefore additional watering or irrigation is necessary especially in the Summer after planting.
The soil can be modified by the addition of material to allow the fine roots of the heather to penetrate the soil particles easily, being of a fine texture they cannot batter their way through heavy clays soils without some help! Essentially the soil type may need to be improved in texture to aid the heather. Heavier, denser soils may need a material added to make them more friable or open in texture whilst the sandy soils would benefit from an addition of a loamy material to assist in retaining moisture and nutrients.
Imagine going home this Autumn to a lush garden of splendid blooms swaying gracefully to the wind. Then, you will be happy to hear that such a scene is easily created with the heather plant. Heather plants are evergreens of low-growing, branching shrubs. They change colour year-round into gorgeous flowering expanses. With such vivid and lively display of colours, heathers are perfect for adding charm and beauty to your landscapes.
The heather plant is a native of Ireland. It is known for its high yielding capacity as it produces seeds in very large numbers. Its flower has 30 seeds, producing up to , seeds per season. Heathers can grow to about 60 cm tall and cm wide. The heather plant is a popular choice among gardeners due to its numerous attractive qualities. It is low maintenance, salt resistant, winter hardy and once established, drought tolerant.
Simply ensure they have access to drainage and sunshine, and voila! There are many different types of heather plants. It is good to be able to differentiate them so you plant the right heather for the right season. Heath is commonly confused with heather. Heaths are generally smaller at about 30 cm tall and 45 cm wide.
The soils should be moist but not soggy. This will encourage rapid and vigorous growth of the plants. Once established, the plants are drought tolerant and rarely need watering.
Mulch heathers after planting. Erica x darleyensis 'Ghost Hills' Erica x darleyensis 'Arthur Johnson' Erica x darleyensis 'Kramer's Red' Click here to compare all Heath and Heather varieties Heath and Heathers: Pruning Summer bloomers : Pruning is essential and should occur in late fall or early spring, below the old flowers on the branch. Round and shape the plant.
Winter bloomers : Shear lightly in spring, immediately after blooming. If your plants die out in the center, shearing will keep them alive and growing. Create a Garden with Great Winter Interest. Pretty Flowers for your Winter Garden. Most people celebrate daffodils as the harbingers of spring, without being aware that many other plants flower much earlier Learn More.
Heaths and Heathers. Garden Examples. Heat Zones 5 - 7 What's My Zone? Want Garden Inspiration? Related Items Guides. Plant Family. Heaths and Heathers Vibrant color and reliable blooms can be yours year-round! Pretty Flowers for your Winter Garden Most people celebrate daffodils as the harbingers of A Fragrant Path Providing months of fragrance and color, while being Created by Carter A Welcoming Hedge What a fabulous and distinctive hedge!
Keeping the compost moist yet allowing for free drainage is key. We recommend installing a 2. Consider mixing some water retaining gel into your compost to improve moisture retention. As for garden plantings, plant your heathers deep in the compost. Initial Pruning and Watering Shear newly planted heathers to foster a bushy growth habit. Water fortnightly for the first 3 months to keep the ground moist but not sodden. Garden Care Watering Drought tolerance is normally established within years from planting, after which time your heather plants will take care of themselves.
Until this time, water as required to keep the soil evenly moist, but never soggy. Weeding and Feeding Make sure the heather border is kept weed-free. This is best done by hand rather than using a hoe as heathers are shallow rooted. Apply an annual mulch of bark, peat or ericaceous compost to help suppress weeds.
Fertilise once with ericaceous plant food at planting time. Further feeding is not typically required thereafter, although if the bloom production is reduced or foliage turns pale, you can re-apply the ericaceous plant food from late winter to mid-spring.
Once a 'wave' of heather plants have become established and filled the gaps between them, they will act as an effective weed suppressant, so little weeding is typically required once the plants have become established. Annual Shearing In early spring before any buds have set shear off the top third of foliage growth from your heathers, removing any remaining dead flowers from the previous year as you do so.
Removing old stems will encourage your heathers to develop fresh new growth, maintain a bushy habit and prevent them from becoming thin and woody. This way the plant is constantly renewed. Heathers being sheared in early spring. Pests and Diseases Heathers have few pests but can be susceptible to powdery mildew if they are planted too close together and air flow is impaired.
The best way to tackle powdery mildew is with a fungus killer spray. Heathers can also be damaged by large animals such as dogs or deer trampling on them, so consider the planting spot carefully to keep them out of harms way. Share this page:. This site uses cookies to store information on your computer.
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