Calluna spp.
heather
Overview
Calluna spp. is a genus in the heath family (Ericaceae) made up of a single species, Calluna vulgaris, a low evergreen shrub of acid heath and moorland known as heather or ling. Plants form dense, wiry mounds 4-24 inches (10-60 cm) tall and up to 30 inches (75 cm) wide, with tiny scale-like leaves pressed in opposite rows along the stems. From midsummer into autumn the shoots carry slender spikes of small, urn- to bell-shaped flowers, typically rose-purple but also pink, mauve, or white, in which the coloured sepals are longer than and hide the petals. The flowers are rich in nectar and draw bees and other insects, and the dried flower spikes persist into winter. Foliage colour ranges from green to gold, orange, grey, or red, deepening in cold weather in many cultivars. Calluna spp. needs acid, free-draining, low-fertility soil and full sun, and it becomes open and short-lived on rich, limy, or shaded ground. It is the dominant plant over large areas of heath in Europe.
Native Range
Calluna vulgaris is native across Europe and into Asia Minor and North Africa, and it is naturalised in parts of North America and New Zealand. It grows on acid heath, moor, bog margin, and open pine and birch woodland, usually on poor, sandy or peaty, free-draining soils.Suggested Uses
Calluna vulgaris is used in heather and rock gardens, as low groundcover on acid banks, and in containers and winter plantings for foliage and flower colour. Mass plantings carpet open, sunny ground in zones 4-7, often combined with dwarf conifers and Erica spp.. Its need for acid, free-draining soil and full sun limits its use on chalk or in shade.How to Identify
Appearance
Size & Dimensions
Height4" - 2'
Width/Spread1' - 2'6"
Bloom Information
Flowering runs from midsummer into mid-autumn, mainly July to October, later than most true heaths. The spikes hold their colour for six to ten weeks, and the dried flowers stay on the plant through winter. Bloom timing varies among cultivars, spreading the display across the season.
Detailed Descriptions
Flower Description
Rose-purple, pink, mauve, or whiteFoliage Description
Green, gold, grey, orange, or redGrowing Conditions
Sun Requirements
Requires 6-12 hours of direct sunlight daily
• Full Sun: 6+ hours of direct sunlight
• Partial Shade: 3-6 hours of direct sunlight
• Full Shade: Less than 3 hours of direct sunlight
Care & Maintenance
Care Guide
Plants grow in full sun on acid, free-draining, low-fertility soil and turn open and weak in shade or on alkaline ground. They tolerate cold to about USDA zone 4 but dislike waterlogging and rich feeding. A mulch of bark or leaf mould keeps the shallow roots cool and moist, and rainwater suits container plants better than hard tap water. Trimming after flowering keeps plants compact, as old wood reshoots poorly. Heathers have few pests but can suffer root rot in wet soil and damage from late frosts on soft growth.Pruning
Plants are trimmed once a year, just after flowering or in early spring, cutting back into the previous season growth but not into bare old wood, which rarely reshoots. This light shearing keeps the mound dense and prolongs the plant useful life. Removing the spent spikes also tidies the winter appearance.Container Growing
✓ Suitable for container growing
Minimum container size: 2 gallons