How to Grow and Care for Heather

Scotch heather (Calluna vulgaris) is an evergreen flowering shrub that produces hundreds of rose-pink to purplish-pink, bell-shaped flowers that bloom in late summer. Relatively low maintenance, it is perfect in rock gardens or used as a border or ground cover. It prefers acidic soil and will grow from 30 to 61 cm in full sun to partial shade.

Scotch heather 'Silver Rose' is a low-growing, or dwarf, evergreen heather, or ling, which produces small pale purple flowers against pretty silver-grey foliage. The name comes from this coloring. It forms mats, so it is ideal for covering large areas with little effort. It also attracts bees to the garden.

Scotch heather 'Allegro's ruby-red blossoms differentiate it from its parent plant's pink/pale purple ones. It's a heather cultivar that was originally derived from Calluna vulgaris, the common heather. Its many small flowers are appreciated amongst gardeners for their pleasant appearance, and can become so numerous that they appear to turn the entire plant red.

Scotch heather 'Beoley Gold' is a flowering dwarf evergreen shrub from the Ericaceae family. It has white blooms and spiny gold leaves that add a pop of color to any landscape. It’s well known for keeping its color year-round, and many people use this hardy plant in sandy or acidic soils that may be difficult for other plants.

Named after a town in Gloucestershire, scotch heather 'Wickwar Flame' was developed from the Common heather ‘Olympic Gold’ cultivar. Its name also refers to the unique foliage presented by this plant. Starting a golden-yellow color, the leaves deepen to a coppery red by the end of the season. This plant also provides a show of mauve flowers in the late summer.