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Calluna vulgaris (Heather)
1 hour care
per year
per year
0.6m
Max height
Max height
0.75m
Max spread
Max spread
5-10 years
To maturity
To maturity
Plant details
Botanical name
Calluna vulgaris
Other names
Heather, Ling, Scots heather, Scottish heather, Calluna erica, Erica vulgaris, Basam, Bassum, Beesom, Besom, Scotch heather, White heather
Genus
Calluna Calluna
Species
C. vulgaris - C. vulgaris is a compact, mound-forming, evergreen shrub with tiny, linear, overlapping, dark green leaves and racemes of urn-shaped, pink or purple flowers from midsummer into autumn.
Calluna vulgaris is: Evergreen
Habit
Cushion or Mound Forming
Flower
Purple, Pink in Summer; Purple, Pink in Autumn
Foliage
Dark-green in All seasons
How to care
Watch out for
Pests
Generally pest-free.
Phytophthora root diseases Phytophthora root diseases
General care
Pruning
Pruning group 10. Shear back spent flower stems.
Propagation methods
Semi-hardwood cuttings
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Where to grow
Calluna vulgaris (Heather) will reach a height of 0.6m and a spread of 0.75m after 5-10 years.
Suggested uses
Rock, Low Maintenance, Ground Cover, Wildlife, Garden edging, Cottage/Informal, Containers, Coastal, Banks and Slopes
Cultivation
Grow in well-drained, acid soil in sun.
Soil type
Clay, Loamy, Sandy
Soil drainage
Moist but well-drained, Well-drained
Soil pH
Acid
Light
Full Sun
Aspect
South, East, West
Exposure
Exposed, Sheltered
UK hardiness Note: We are working to update our ratings. Thanks for your patience.
Hardy (H4)
Companion plants
We do not currently have companion plants added for this plant.
Botanical name
Calluna vulgaris
Other names
Heather, Ling, Scots heather, Scottish heather, Calluna erica, Erica vulgaris, Basam, Bassum, Beesom, Besom, Scotch heather, White heather
Genus
Calluna Calluna
Species
C. vulgaris - C. vulgaris is a compact, mound-forming, evergreen shrub with tiny, linear, overlapping, dark green leaves and racemes of urn-shaped, pink or purple flowers from midsummer into autumn.
Foliage
Evergreen
Habit
Cushion or Mound Forming
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Colour
Flower
Purple, Pink in Summer; Purple, Pink in Autumn
Foliage
Dark-green in All seasons
How to care
Watch out for
Pests
Generally pest-free.
Specific diseases
General care
Pruning
Pruning group 10. Shear back spent flower stems.
Propagation methods
Semi-hardwood cuttings
Monthly care advice
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Where to grow
Calluna vulgaris (Heather) will reach a height of 0.6m and a spread of 0.75m after 5-10 years.
Suggested uses
Rock, Low Maintenance, Ground Cover, Wildlife, Garden edging, Cottage/Informal, Containers, Coastal, Banks and Slopes
Cultivation
Grow in well-drained, acid soil in sun.
Soil type
Clay, Loamy, Sandy
Soil drainage
Moist but well-drained, Well-drained
Soil pH
Acid
Light
Full Sun
Aspect
South, East, West
Exposure
Exposed, Sheltered
UK hardiness Note: We are working to update our ratings. Thanks for your patience.
Hardy (H4)
USDA zones
Zone 6, Zone 5, Zone 4
In order to add a note on this plant, please add this plant to your plant lists.
| This plant likes... | Garden match | |
| Soil types: | Clay, Loamy, Sandy | Tell us... |
| Soil drainage: | Moist but well-drained, Well-drained | Tell us... |
| Soil pH: | Acid | Tell us... |
| Light: | Full Sun | Tell us... |
| Aspect: | South, East, West | Tell us... |
| Exposure: | Exposed, Sheltered | Tell us... |
| Hardiness: | Hardy (H4) | Tell us... |
ARTICLES WITH THIS PLANT
By Andrew Wilson and Gavin McWilliam of the Wilson McWilliam Studio. Wellington College, one of the world’s leading co-educational independent schools, returns to the celebrated horticultural… read more
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