Home»Flowering»Perennial
Calluna vulgaris [ kal - LOO - nuh , vul - GAIR - iss ] is the only species comprehend theCallunagenus .
It is native to the bogs and moors of Scotland and other part of Europe and is favored for the colorful flowers and foliage it adds to the landscape .
Calluna vulgaris is from thericaceaefamily
There are hundreds of aboriginal species in South Africa ( known as Cape heath ) , a 12 in England , and North America has just two .
A part of the flowering plant family Ericaceae , this recurrent plant has several vulgar names , including :
The plant is aboriginal to Europe , Iceland , the Faroe Islands , and the Azones .
Calluna vulgaris is from thericaceaefamily
However , they have been introduced in North America , including the United States , New Zealand , Australia , and the Falkland Islands .
Heather Plant Quick Care Tips
The scientific nameCalluna vulgariscomes from the Hellenic wordkalluno .
The word mean “ to cleanse or adorn , ” referring to the works used to make broom .
Vulgarissimply means common .
Did you screw that Purple heather is one of the two interior blossom of Norway ?
Besides this , the plant is considered an icon of Scotland , where it grow wide .
Common Heather Care
Heather Plant Size and Growth
The ling flora is aboriginal to habitats including moors , hillside , sand dune , heath , and peat bog .
When these growing conditions are repeat in other placement , the evergreen plant broadleaf shrub can originate up to 2 ’ – 3 ’ infantry improbable .
Their ground spread is mostly equivalent to their height . Branching is lush and upright , constitute loggerheaded mats .
The heather plant ’s leafage is dull and compact , making the plant life excellent forground cover .
Flowering and Fragrance
The peak prison term for the showy Calluna vulgaris flowers is during late summer .
In wild industrial plant , the flowers typically cavort a mauve colour , but white flowers are not uncommon .
bod of foliage will vary with the character of heather you engraft and with the eld of the bush . Many cultivar of heather offer change , glorious , and colourful foliage at different prison term of the year .
The flowers are in terminals , one - sided , and have spike - comparable racemes .
The heather plant also produces a fruit that appears as capsules .
While Heather ’s original mauve and livid blossom are beautiful , many cultivars are chosen for singular bloom and foliage colouring combinations .
In fact , the Royal Horticultural Society lists over 800 cultivars .
Some of the common cultivar admit Cuprea , Firefly , Long White , Beoley Gold , and Boskoop .
Light and Temperature
Calluna vulgaris is hardy to USDA hardiness zone 4 to 6 . check that to pick out a heather variety show that is suited to hold up winters .
Heather needs at least six hours of sunshine a day . It does the best in zone 5 but tolerates warm part of zone 4 quite well .
It does not like high-pitched humidity and heat in area in the south of the USDA geographical zone .
As for lightness , the plant prime grow much better when planted in region with full sun . Too much shade makes the plants leggy and affects the grandness of their vividness .
In hot and humid summertime , the heather industrial plant may revalue partial tint during the day ’s hottest hours .
Heather Plant Watering and Feeding
Heathers have average water needs . guarantee the soil pH scale does n’t dry out out , as the flora favor unvarying moisture .
However , the bush is not drought - tolerant in all landscape situations . After being establish , Heather is picky about urine requirements , need about an inch ( 2.5 cm . ) per week , include rain and supplemental irrigation .
Water the plant once or twice a week . However , be careful about overwatering .
Too much water may lead to root decomposition and discrepant maturation . Once the flora is established , it wo n’t need frequent lachrymation .
Fertilizing is not essential for Scottish Scots heather . In fact , the plant prefer misfortunate dirt and may even be harmful to some .
If the moist soil you ’re using is importantly poor , a low - rate plant food fed once during the get time of year may work for the loony toons - lie with plants .
Soil and Transplanting
Calluna vulgaris plants needwell - drain acid soilto regulate moisture and sustain enough to keep the roots cool .
A raised bed or mound of loamy soil may improve drainage if you ’re using heavy soils .
This habitat has acidulent , well - drain , moist soil . These plants tolerate poor , bumpy soil and even salt spray , making them sound for coastal hillsides .
Like azalea and rhododendron , heathers are dose - lie with .
The ideal pH in the land is between 4.5 and 5.5 .
employ peat moss in alkaline grease to raise the sourness .
Transplanting heather works should be done carefully as the plants have shallow root organization .
lead off by travail a pickle double as wide and half as bass as the root glob .
Remove the plant from the container .
Make a few vertical cut along the length of the stem ball on the bottom .
Break up some of the theme and body of work in the rocky soil .
Grooming and Maintenance
Common broom respond well to regular pruning .
You should trim the plant life in late fall to early spring underneath older peak .
Shear the heather industrial plant softly to encourage better florescence and succulent growth after it blooms .
The growth can become leggy and straggly if you do n’t prune the industrial plant p.a. .
Mulch the plants after engraft to reserve the stain to retain moisture .
How To Propagate Heather Ling Plant
When propagating Calluna vulgaris from seeds , sow them in a shaded part of a nursery in February .
sow in the seminal fluid in moist , well - drain , acidic filth on the surface , just covering it .
care for it to cold social stratification for 4 to 20 weeks .
The seeds take 1 to 2 months to germinate at 68 ° degree Fahrenheit ( 20 ° C ) .
When seedling are large enough to handle , transfer them to single pots in the wintertime and produce them in the nursery .
Transfer them to their permanent positioning in late spring or former summer .
The flora can propagate with half - ripe forest cutting , mature wood cuttings , and division .
These should be done in July / August , October / November , and spring , respectively .
Scotch Heather Pest or Diseases
If you do n’t put up partial specter in hot summers , heathers may be susceptible to root and source rot .
to boot , keep an eye out for wanderer mites and huitre cuticle scale .
Related : More on – > Controlling Spider Mites
Is The Plant Invasive?
The works does have a propensity to be invading in some areas in New Zealand .
Common Heather Uses
Smaller varieties of vulgar heathers are used as full sun ground covers and in rock garden .
Other bush kind are plant in mass on hillside .
Also , they are often embed on borders as background flora .
Besides garden enjoyment , the plants have various other uses , such as a food source for sheep and deer and to make dear .
Formerly , the flora was used to dye wool and tan leathers .
