When picturesque heathland landscapes stretch to the horizon or an autumnal color show takes place high up in the mountains, broom heather has its floral fingers in the game. The robust, long-lasting dwarf shrub impresses with wonderful properties that no hobby gardener should miss. This profile familiarizes you with the fascinating attributes of a Calluna vulgaris.
What are the most important characteristics of the common heather?
The common heather (Calluna vulgaris) is an evergreen dwarf shrub from the heather family that grows 10-30 cm high. It blooms from August to December in bud form or as four-stellate bell flowers. It prefers sunny locations with acidic, nutrient-poor soil and is hardy.
Broom heather in portrait – origin and appearance
Broom heather should not be missing from the planting plan for the authentic heather garden. Heather has also reserved a regular place among the most popular balcony plants for autumn. The following profile explains why this is the case:
- Plant family Heather family (Ericaceae)
- Only species within the genus Common Heather (Calluna)
- Name of the species: Calluna vulgaris
- Popular names: common heather, heather, summer heather
- Growth habit: densely branched, evergreen dwarf shrub
- Growth height: 10 to 30 cm, rarely up to 40 cm
- Flower shapes: bud bloomers or 4-fold bell flowers in dense clusters
- Flowering period: August to December, summer heather from July to November
- Winter hardiness: completely hardy when planted in the bed
- Location preferences: sunny, low in nutrients, acidic pH value of 4 to 5
- Possible uses: heather garden, moor bed, bucket, flower box, grave planting, vase decoration
- Poison content: not toxic
Broom heather owes its name to a traditional use. In ancient times, as soon as sheep spurned the woody shoots, the branches were cut off, dried and bundled. The robust branches are ideal for sweeping indoors and outdoors.
Bud bloomers bring color into the winter
Among the numerous varieties of common heather there are a number of bud bloomers. What is characteristic of this special form is that the flowers remain in the bud stage and do not open. This characteristic causes Calluna vulgaris to produce a colorful appearance in the midst of winter. Well-known varieties among the bud bloomers are red-flowering 'Bonita' and white-flowering 'Melanie'.
The long-lasting splendor of colors, however, has a drawback. For bees, bumblebees and butterflies, bud flowers are a deception because there is no nectar to get hold of. For the natural garden, we therefore recommend a mixed arrangement of normally flowering and bud-flowering heathers.
Tip
Broom heather is the ideal ground cover for all sunny locations with lean, acidic soil. Thanks to a wide range of varieties in diverse colors, Calluna vulgaris transforms large and small areas into an autumnal sea of flowers.
