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Heath and Heather

Erica x Darleyensis, Erica x stuartii, Erica Carnea, Erica cinerea, Erica erigena, Erica vagans, Calluna, Scotch Heather, Ling Heather, Winter Heath, Bell Heather, Irish Heath, Cornish Heath, Stuart’s Heath

Heath growing information

Heath and Heather are terrific evergreen plants that deserve a spot in the garden. Their fabulous ability to change color year-round, injecting vivid life into our landscape at a time when they need it most, is invaluable. Low maintenance, deer or salt resistant, winter hardy, drought tolerant (once established), and fairly easy to grow, they do not require much: decent drainage and some sunshine.

Heath and Heather

Heath and Heather are two different types of plants that are often confused due to their similar appearance and common habitat. They both belong to the Ericaceae family, but they are from different genera – Erica (Heath) and Calluna (Heather). However, they have many characteristics in common regarding color, form, and growth habits. They are also evergreen, not invasive, low maintenance, and thrive in similar conditions of sunlight, water, and soil. The main differences between these species are winter hardiness and foliage.

Heath (Erica spp.)

Native to South Africa, Europe, and the Mediterranean region, the genus Erica contains over 800 species, but the most commonly grown are winter heaths, like Erica carnea and Erica x darleyensis.

  • These evergreen shrubs are compact and mound-forming, typically growing up to 12 inches (30 cm) tall and 18 inches (45 cm) wide.
  • Their needle-like leaves are usually dark green.
  • Their tubular flowers come in a variety of colors like white, pink, and purple and bloom from late winter to early spring. Some types of heath continue to flower intermittently throughout the year.
  • They are hardy in USDA zones 5-7.
  • Heaths attract pollinators such as bees and butterflies.
  • Deer usually avoid them due to their prickly foliage.
  • They are drought-tolerant once established and are not considered invasive.

Heather (Calluna vulgaris)

Also known as Common Heather or Ling, this plant is native to Europe, Iceland, the Faroe Islands, and the Azores.

  • Heather is a low-growing, evergreen shrub that grows up to 24 inches tall (60cm) and 24-36 inches (60-90 cm) wide, with small, scale-like leaves along its erect, branching stems.
  • Its tiny, bell-shaped flowers, ranging in color from white to pink to deep purple, bloom from late summer to fall.
  • Heather is hardy in USDA zones 4-6.
  • The flowers are a rich nectar source, attracting bees, butterflies, and other pollinators.
  • Like heath, Heather is not known to be toxic to humans or pets, and deer usually avoid it.
  • Heather requires more moisture than heath and is not considered invasive.

Both Heath and Heather prefer acidic, well-drained soil and full sun to partial shade. They are typically used for ground cover, rock gardens, or in borders and can provide year-round interest due to their evergreen foliage and winter/spring or late summer bloom times.

Plant different types of heathers and heaths, and you may have plants in bloom every month of the year, with new plants coming into bloom when others fade!

Why Should I Grow Heath and Heather?

Heath and Heather bring several benefits to the garden that make them worth considering:

Year-Round Interest: These plants offer color and texture throughout the year. Their evergreen foliage comes in a range of colors from green to copper to red, and their flowers bloom at different times depending on the species, offering color for much of the year.

Versatility: They are versatile and can be used in a variety of ways in the landscape, including as ground cover, in rock gardens, on slopes, in borders, and even in containers.

Low Maintenance: Both plants are relatively easy to care for once established. They are generally drought-tolerant, need minimal fertilization, and require only occasional pruning.

Attract Wildlife: They are excellent for attracting bees, butterflies, and other pollinators to your garden, which is important for maintaining a healthy ecosystem.

Tolerant of Poor Soils: Both plants can thrive in poor, acidic soil where many other plants struggle. They are also fairly tolerant of salty conditions, making them a good choice for coastal gardens.

Variety: There are a wide range of species and cultivars available, offering a variety of sizes, flower colors, and bloom times. This allows for a great deal of flexibility in design and ensures that there is a heath or heather to suit almost any garden.

Erosion Control: Their dense, spreading growth habit makes them effective at preventing soil erosion on slopes.

Deer Resistant: Both plants are generally not favored by deer, making them a good choice for areas where deer are a problem.

In short, the beauty, hardiness, and versatility of Heath and Heather make them excellent additions to many types of gardens.

Popular Heath and Heather Varieties

There are numerous species of both Heath and Heather, each with its own unique traits. Here are some of the most popular species of each:

Erica carnea (Winter Heath): One of the hardiest of Heathers, Erica carnea is native to the Alps of Central Europe. It is favored for its early bloom and evergreen presence and forms eye-catching mats of pink, white, purple, or red blooms, which are at their best with the early spring bulbs such as crocus, scillas, and dwarf irises. A low and quick grower, it creates attractive groundcovers perfect for smothering weeds. The evergreen foliage is needle-like. Slightly acid to alkaline soils. Zone 4 and warmer.

Guide Information

Hardiness 4 - 8
Heat Zones 5 - 7
Climate Zones 1A, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 15, 16, 17
Plant Type Shrubs
Genus Calluna, Erica
Exposure Full Sun
Season of Interest Spring
Summer
Fall
Winter
Height 1' - 2'
(30cm - 60cm)
Spread 1' - 3'
(30cm - 90cm)
Maintenance Low
Water Needs Average
Soil Type Clay, Loam, Sand
Soil pH Acid
Soil Drainage Moist but Well-Drained, Well-Drained
Characteristics Dried Arrangements, Cut Flowers, Showy
Tolerance Drought, Deer
Attracts Butterflies, Bees
Landscaping Ideas Banks And Slopes, Ground Covers, Patio And Containers, Beds And Borders
Garden Styles City and Courtyard, Coastal Garden, Gravel and Rock Garden, Informal and Cottage, Traditional Garden
Erica carnea ‘Springwood Pink’ (Winter Heath)
Erica carnea ‘December Red’ (Winter Heath)
Erica carnea ‘Springwood White’ (Winter Heath)

Erica x darleyensis (Darley Dale Heath):  Includes many hybrids of Erica Carnea and Erica Erigena. A taller growing shrub than Erica Carnea and more bushy, it is useful for adding winter color at greater heights. It is loved for its early bloom and evergreen presence and forms bristling splashes of pink, white, purple, or red blooms in the landscape, which are at their best with dwarf evergreens, conifers, and mixed plantings of heathers. Most varieties display needle-like mid-green foliage with pink, cream, or red, young growth in late spring and bronzy foliage in the winter. Buds form in late summer or early fall, and some cultivars bloom as early as late September, often lasting until April. Slightly acid to alkaline soils. Zone 5 and warmer.

Erica x darleyensis ‘Ghost Hills’ (Winter Heath)
Erica x darleyensis ‘Darley Dale’ (Winter Heath)
Erica x darleyensis ‘Kramer’s Rote’ (Winter Heath)

Erica cinerea (Bell Heather):  Attractive and spectacular in bloom with some of the most eye-catching flowers of all heathers. Evergreen shrubs forming mounding, spreading, low bushes, 6-18 in tall (15-45 cm) that burst into vivid colors as they get covered with hundreds of bell-shaped flowers from late spring to early fall (Jun-Oct). Colors range from white to almost black, while foliage varies from gold to dark green. They need annual pruning, or they become straggly. Prune below the flowers on the stems after flowering in fall or early spring. Prefers well-drained acid soil. Zone 5 and warmer.

Erica cinerea ‘Pink Ice’ (Bell Heather)
Erica cinerea ‘C.D. Eason’ (Bell Heather)
Erica cinerea ‘Velvet Night’ (Bell Heather)

Calluna vulgaris (Common Heather or Ling):  Among the hardiest and most varied of all hardy heathers. The Royal Horticultural Society currently lists over 800 cultivars of this species. Callunas offer various sizes (from small mounds to 3 feet (90 cm) shrubs). Racemes of rose pink to purplish pink, single or double flowers, appear in mid to late summer. Foliage may be highly dramatic, turning from gray or green to attractive glowing shades of orange and red in fall and winter. Some varieties display their showy new growth for months before flowering for additional several months. Callunas flower best in full sun but can tolerate partial shade. Callunas hate lime but thrive in acid soil. Callunas need annual pruning, or they become straggly. Prune below the flowers on the stems after flowering in fall or early spring. Zone 4 and warmer. Some varieties grow well in Zone 3 areas.

Calluna vulgaris ‘Aphrodite’ (Heather)
Calluna vulgaris ‘Firefly’ (Heather)
Erica cinerea ‘C.D. Eason’ (Bell Heather)

Each of these species and cultivars offers something unique in terms of flower color, foliage color, and bloom time, which can make for a diverse and interesting planting when several are used together.

Garden Design with Heath and Heather

Heath and heather can make a significant impact in the landscape due to their vibrant colors, varying heights, and different bloom times. They are versatile plants that can be utilized in several garden styles, from a traditional cottage garden to a contemporary landscape design. Here are a few ways you can incorporate them into your garden design:

Rock Gardens and Slopes: Both heath and heather are excellent for planting in rock gardens or on slopes. Their low-growing nature, combined with their ability to tolerate poor, sandy, or rocky soil conditions makes them an excellent choice for these locations. They can also help prevent soil erosion on slopes.

Ground Cover: These plants are effective as a ground cover due to their dense, spreading growth habit. Plant them en masse to cover large areas, which can help crowd out weeds and reduce the amount of bare soil exposed to erosion.

Borders and Edges: Heath and heather are excellent for defining the edges of a border or pathway, particularly lower-growing varieties. Their dense growth and colorful flowers can provide a beautiful, soft edge.

Mixed Beds: Mix them with other acid-loving plants like rhododendrons, azaleas, and camellias for a colorful display throughout the year.

Containers: Smaller varieties can be grown in containers, either alone or mixed with other plants that have similar growing requirements.

Wildlife Garden: Both plants are known to attract pollinators, so they can be an excellent addition to a wildlife or pollinator garden.

When planting, group several plants of the same variety together to create a swath of color. Also, try to arrange the plants so that there are always some in bloom at any given time, to ensure year-round interest. Remember, these plants prefer well-drained, acidic soil and plenty of sun. They are relatively low maintenance but will benefit from occasional pruning to keep them compact and encourage dense growth.

Growing Tips

Growing Heath and Heather can be a rewarding gardening experience, especially given their vibrant colors and year-round interest. Here are some guidelines on how to grow these plants:

Location: Both Heath (Erica) and Heather (Calluna) need at least six hours of sun a day. Full sun is better as the foliage colors intensify when fully exposed. Too much shade makes the plants leggy and affects the brilliance of their color. However, they may benefit from afternoon shade in hot, dry climates.

Soil: They prefer well-drained, acidic soil with a pH between 4.5 and 5.5. If your soil is neutral or alkaline, you can lower the pH by adding sulfur or organic matter such as peat moss or pine needles. Poor, sandy, or rocky soils are usually fine as long as they are well-drained.

Planting: Heath and Heather may be planted in the fall or early spring. Space your plants as far apart as their mature width and at least two feet. (60 cm) away from other shrubs to ensure good air circulation. This is important for good foliage growth and color. Dig a hole twice as wide and deep as the root ball. Place the plant in the hole and backfill it with soil, firming gently around the base. Water thoroughly after planting.

Watering: While drought tolerant once established, it’s important to water regularly during their first year to help them get established. After that, only water during extended periods of dry weather.

Mulching: Apply a layer of mulch around the plants to help retain moisture, suppress weeds, and protect the roots from extreme temperatures. Pine bark or pine needles can also help acidify the soil.

Pruning: Heath and Heather require minimal pruning.

  • Summer bloomers: Pruning is essential and should occur in late fall or early spring below the old flowers on the branch. Round and shape the plant.
  • Winter bloomers: Shear lightly in spring, immediately after blooming. If your plants die out in the center, shearing will keep them alive and growing.

Feeding: They generally do not require much fertilizer, but if your soil is very poor, you can apply a slow-release, acidifying fertilizer in the spring.

Pests and Diseases: These plants are generally pest and disease-resistant, but root rot can occur in poorly drained soils.

Propagating: Heath and Heather can be propagated by semi-hardwood cuttings in late summer or early fall.

With the right conditions and care, Heath and Heather can provide beautiful, low-maintenance color in your garden for many years.

Garden Examples

A Glowing Winter Border with Dogwood, Heath and Grasses
A Sparkling Spring Border Idea with Heaths and Wood Anemones
A Sparkling and Low Maintenance Garden

Recommended Guides

How to Grow and Care for Heath and Heather
Create a Garden with Great Winter Interest
Pretty Flowers for your Winter Garden
Explore Great Plant Combination Ideas
Erica (Heath)
While every effort has been made to describe these plants accurately, please keep in mind that height, bloom time, and color may differ in various climates. The description of these plants has been written based on numerous outside resources.

Guide Information

Hardiness 4 - 8
Heat Zones 5 - 7
Climate Zones 1A, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 15, 16, 17
Plant Type Shrubs
Genus Calluna, Erica
Exposure Full Sun
Season of Interest Spring
Summer
Fall
Winter
Height 1' - 2'
(30cm - 60cm)
Spread 1' - 3'
(30cm - 90cm)
Maintenance Low
Water Needs Average
Soil Type Clay, Loam, Sand
Soil pH Acid
Soil Drainage Moist but Well-Drained, Well-Drained
Characteristics Dried Arrangements, Cut Flowers, Showy
Tolerance Drought, Deer
Attracts Butterflies, Bees
Landscaping Ideas Banks And Slopes, Ground Covers, Patio And Containers, Beds And Borders
Garden Styles City and Courtyard, Coastal Garden, Gravel and Rock Garden, Informal and Cottage, Traditional Garden
Explore Great Plant Combination Ideas
Erica (Heath)

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