Heather

Heather Calluna vulgaris

Magical, mythical and medicinal evergreen groundcover features a spread of flowers and foliage that change color throughout the season. Revered in the British Isles, important medicinally in teas, honey, liniments and ointments. First fermented a few thousand years ago, used in gruit, ale, and might be the original ingredient for the first whiskey. Branches used in thatching, bedding, basketry, rope and broom-making. Flowers attract bees, butterflies and moths, especially when planted in masses. Recommended for rock gardens and pathways—or for opening the portals to the fairy world.

Shear every April for best bloom. Species native to the dry forests, heaths and bare grounds of Britain and Ireland. More recently naturalized in North America.

Heath Erica carnea

Foliage is more ferny and wispier than heathers and can be many shades of green through the season. Mounded mat-like growth habit sprawls and crawls

Growing Heather and Heath

• Soil: Requires acidic well-drained soil.
• Sun: Full sun to part shade. Sun and wind intensify their colors.
• Spacing: Plant 18" apart. They’ll spread.
• Planting: We recommend pine needles or softwood chips as an acidic year-round mulch.
• Shearing Heathers: Heathers should be sheared every April for best bloom. Without annual shearing, they’ll become woody and bare in just a few years. With pruners or shears, roughly cut the stems below where they flowered the previous season, leaving a few inches of foliage. It should look like a little mound with a haircut. Next thing you know, bright new growth will start emerging.

  Shearing not only makes the plants look better but also makes them stronger and more resistant to fungal problems. If you’re not up for shearing, heathers might not be for you.

• Pruning Ericas: Lightly prune spent flower tips in spring after blooming. These don’t require shearing like heathers.