The mention of heather (Calluna vulgaris) may bring to mind the windswept moors of England, and in fact, these hearty plants are native there and in other parts of Europe. Also called Scotch heather, these evergreen plants have small, scale-like foliage and produce abundant racemes of tiny, bell-shaped, single or double flowers. Although standard heather is suitable for U.S. Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zones 4 to 6 because of its fondness for cool weather, many of the roughly 1,000 heather cultivars can be grown successfully in USDA zones 8 or 9.
Healthy nursery plants have sturdy stems, limber twigs and rich green foliage with no spots or brown edges. Beware of roots protruding from the drainage holes in the pot, as this may indicate the heather plant is severely potbound. The plant should have no scars or insects. In addition to an array of suitable climate zones, heather varieties can range from a mature height of 4 inches to 4 feet tall or more, with spreads of 1 foot to several feet. Heather plants can have white, pink, purple or red flowers and may bloom in different seasons, depending on the cultivar.
Flower color, bloom time, height and width are only some factors to consider in choosing a planting site. The heather will need enough space allotted for its full, mature size. You may want a site where you can see the flowers often, or where the flower color will not clash or be upstaged by flowers of other plants. Heather prefers full sun and moist but well-drained, organically rich, slightly acidic soil. The plant tolerates some wind as well as salty coastal climates. If your yard has poor drainage, consider planting the heather on a mound.
Soil at the planting site is easier to work with if you water thoroughly the day before planting the heather. The ideal planting hole is only as deep as the nursery container so the top of the roots will be at ground level, but at least twice as wide, to give the roots room to spread out easily. Native soil excavated when digging the hole is best for backfilling the hole. Thorough watering after planting helps the roots become firmly established, but newly-planted heathers need no fertilizer.
Heather plants require little maintenance. Once the flower spikes are spent, you can shear the plant to keep it more compact and tidy. In hot or dry areas, a 3- to 4-inch layer of organic mulch helps keep the roots cool and preserves moisture. The mulch should not touch the stem of the plant. If natural rainfall fails to keep the soil consistently moist, you may need to provide supplemental irrigation, but don't over water, as too much moisture invites root and crown rots. Heather generally needs little fertilizer, but may benefit from a light application each spring of fertilizer specially formulated for acid-loving plants. Follow label directions.
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