[James Kilkelly, was GPI.]

How about some heathers? Will they actually grow in my soil?
by GPI

How about some heather?I receive mixed responses from clients sometimes when I suggest incorporating heather into their overall garden design; responses vary from nods of agreement to queries like “Will they actually grow in my soil”?

I will deal with the soil issue in more detail shortly, but first some background heather information....
Heathers are known by the Latin name Erica and are related to Rhododendrons, Azaleas, and the fruit producing Cranberry. Quite a few forms of heather are to be found on the peat lands of Ireland and the moors of England along with mosses, sedges, birch and pine. Often an avid gardener will try to recreate this peat land landscape by under planting birches with masses of heather or creating heather beds enhanced with dwarf conifers such as Thuja “Rheingold” or Pinus mugo “Gnom”.

. Heathers in different shades photo / picture / image.

I would advise anyone trying to create visually appealing heather planting to mound the bed, as heathers look at home growing up and over undulating ground in mass plantings. Planting on the flat and in straight rows appears contrived and unnatural, as the heathers does not lend itself particularly well to formal style gardens.

Now to the issue of soil type and heathers which confuses many the amateur gardener. It all comes down to the alkalinity or acidity (PH) of your soil. Some species of heather require acid soil conditions to thrive, whereas others will tolerate neutral to alkaline soils. If you do not know your soil pH, I advise you to purchase a soil testing kit. Kits are available at most Garden Centres. See the video link to a PH test at the bottom of the page.

If you happen to have an acid or peaty soil, congratulations, you can grow the winter, spring and summer flowering heathers. If perhaps you have a neutral to alkaline or limey soil you will be limited to growing the lime tolerant varieties.

Flowering in winter or spring, the lime tolerant varieties emerge from the following groups…
Erica carnea, Erica x darleyensis, Erica erigena, Erica manipuliflora and Erica vegans.

Named lime tolerant varieties to look out for right now in the garden centres include....
Erica x darleyensis “Arthur Johnson (pink),
Erica carnea “Springwood White” (white)
Erica carnea “Foxhollow” (Yellow foliage with few pink blooms).

Most of the popular heather varieties can be planted at approx 0.6 metre (2ft) spacings, with closer planting advised for quicker mass colour. For visual impact plant your heathers in groups of 5’s, 7’s or more in the average sized garden, incorporating a good quantity of ericaceous compost into each planting pit.

How about some heather?
Go on; Go on, as adding heather to your site ensures a warm glow during cold winter months.

Any queries or comments on How about some heathers? Will they actually grow in my soil?, please post below.

Associated content.....
Soil Testing, How-to Video