Imagine a heathland landscape in all its glory. The first thing you probably think of is the common heather. The dwarf shrub is typical of this type of landscape and creates colorful accents in your garden. There are numerous varieties that impress with their variety of colors.
What is special about the broom heather?
The common heather (Calluna vulgaris) is an evergreen dwarf shrub that is native to heathlands and moors. It is characterized by scale-shaped leaves and magnificent flowers in various colors that bloom from late summer to autumn. Common areas of application include heather gardens, pot planting and bonsai cultivation.
Origin
Calluna vulgaris is known as broom heather or summer heather. It is the only species within the genus Calluna and belongs to the heather family. Their natural homeland is in Central and Northern Europe with a distribution focus in regions shaped by the Ice Age. To the west, their area extends to Western Siberia.
The common heather is considered an acid indicator because it mainly occurs in moors and heaths. Dunes and sparse forests are other habitats that the shrub inhabits. It occurs in lowlands and reaches altitudes of up to 2,700 meters. Calluna vulgaris came to gardens 150 years ago, where it has graced various plant arrangements ever since.
Growth
Calluna vulgaris is a woody dwarf shrub that is evergreen and grows relatively slowly. This means the plant can reach an age of 40 years. The common heather grows between 30 and 100 centimeters high and has a compact and tightly upright appearance. As a deep-rooter, it develops a network of roots that extends far into the substrate. They live in symbiosis with root fungi, which provide them with additional nutrients.
leaves
In contrast to other heather plants, the common heather develops scale-shaped leaves, the leaf blade of which lies close to the branch. The leaves are leathery, coarse and curled upwards. They sit opposite each other on the shoot axis and are only a few millimeters long. The color of the foliage varies depending on the variety from shiny dark green to yellow to silver gray.
Bloom
From late summer onwards, Calluna vulgaris develops a lush display of flowers that lasts until autumn. Some varieties begin to bloom in August and late bloomers have their last blooms in November. Common heathers bloom for the first time from the age of four. The flowers are densely packed together in a racemose inflorescence. They stand nodding on the stem and are made up of four. Petals and sepals are colored the same and differ only in their length. The sepals protrude above the inconspicuous crown.
The color spectrum of the wild form varies between white, pink and purple. Cultivated forms shine in yellow, burgundy red, purple or blue. Bud heaths are a special form in which the buds do not open. They impress with different bud colors for up to two months, but cannot be propagated by seeds. The flowering varieties are more colorful. Their floral splendor lasts for four to five weeks.
Usage
Broom heathers are extremely robust and weatherproof, which makes them popular potted plants. The new varieties impress with their intense colors. These specimens can be used to create colorful potted gardens. Calluna vulgaris is ideal for the heather garden. It harmonizes with other ericaceous plants such as rhododendrons.
Make sure that the planting partners do not grow too high. The common heather is very light-hungry and thrives in the vicinity of densely growing and tall companion plants. You can plant juniper, gorse or rosemary heather as shrubs that provide little shade. Common heathers grow in company with crowberries or cranberries. The dwarf forms of coniferous trees such as pine or spruce are also suitable as planting partners.
In addition to aesthetic functions, the sun-hungry dwarf shrub is also important as a source of food. The sweet nectar provides food for wild bees and bumblebees. Broom heathers are popular plants on bee pastures and are often used to extract valuable heather honey. Flowering heathers and budding heathers are often planted as grave decorations.
Bonsai
Calluna vulgaris can be grown as a bonsai despite its bushy growth habit. Because of its slow growth, it takes a long time to form a tree-shaped form with a main trunk. Plants that have already developed a deep root system are not suitable for growing bonsai. Since the roots have to be shortened significantly, these specimens do not survive transplanting. To promote a shallow root network, a thick layer of mulch with sufficiently high soil moisture helps.
Tips for Bonsai Cultivation:
- Substrate mixture of peat, akadama and lava in a ratio of 30:10:60
- Cut back flower spikes regularly as they grow up to 30 centimeters long
- thrive in bowls in sunny outdoor locations
Edible
The common heather was already used as a medicinal plant in the 19th century. Even today, flowers and shoots are used as a basis for making tinctures and teas. The dark heather honey not only sweetens teas, but also spiced breads. There is no danger to children or pets.
Which location is suitable?
Summer heaths thrive in sunny or light places. The dwarf shrubs tolerate partially shaded conditions if the substrate meets their requirements. Common heathers find optimal conditions in bog beds and heather gardens.
What soil does the plant need?
The substrate should ensure high permeability and not be too moist. Alternatingly moist soils do not cause any problems for the plants. A sandy soil with humus content is ideal. Common heather grows in acidic soils. The pH value should not be above 6.5. Rhododendron soil offers the dwarf shrubs optimal growing conditions.
You can mix a calcareous soil with oak leaves or needle litter to lower the pH value. Pure clay soils should be mixed with sand or humus. If you temporarily cultivate your heather in a pot, you can use commercially available potting soil.
Propagate broom heather
Calluna vulgaris can be propagated by planting plants. With this method, you bend side branches of a strong plant towards the ground and score the shoot in a cross pattern at the lowest point. You can use a long hairpin or stones to fix the end of the side branch in the ground, with the tip of the shoot sticking out of the ground. As soon as the sinker sprouts at the top, it has developed roots. Separate the side branch from the mother plant.
Sowing
Propagation via seeds is possible. You have to be patient until you can collect the ripe fruits from your heather. It takes a few years for the dwarf shrubs to bloom for the first time.
Cuttings
Broom heaths can be propagated by so-called Risslings. This type of cutting is not cut, but rather torn down from the trunk in a quick movement. This causes a piece of bark to tear off, which later serves as a growth driver on the ten centimeter long side shoot.
Fill a planter with a mixture of sand and rhododendron or ericaceous soil and insert the crackling into the substrate. Moisten the soil and cover the planter with a jar or clear plastic bag. This means the humidity remains constant. In the next three weeks, the cracklings will develop roots and can be pricked out.
Broom heather in a pot
Broom heathers are perfect potted plants that provide atmospheric moments in autumn. They are suitable for planting in balcony boxes, clay pots or woven baskets. You can let your creativity run wild when designing. The heather plants can be planted individually or in groups with different colored varieties. They harmonize perfectly with gentians, stonecrops, ivy or horned violets. Grasses provide attractive accents.
You should pay attention to this:
- Use a container with a water outlet to prevent waterlogging
- Use a sufficiently large container so that roots can spread
- Use conventional potting soil with high structural stability
Watering broom heather
Calluna vulgaris is an undemanding plant that should be watered regularly in the first year after planting. A watering unit is necessary as soon as the top layer of soil has dried. You should water more frequently on sandy soils than on less permeable substrates. Arrange watering units based on rainfall and temperature. Water more often in warm and dry times than in cool, rainy periods.
Well-grown plants need to be watered less often. They look forward to an additional water supply during long dry periods. Water the plants on frost-free days even in winter, as the evergreen shrubs do not stop their metabolism. Potted plants require a little more care. They enjoy regular watering.
Fertilize broom heather properly
If you have planted your heather in rhododendron soil, you will not have to fertilize the dwarf shrub until next year. Use a fertilizer for rhododendrons, as this has an acidic effect and provides the plants with all the nutrients and trace elements they need.
Do not fertilize well-rooted specimens more than twice a year. An oversupply of nutrients damages plants and makes them more susceptible to fungal diseases. Common heathers are fertilized for the first time between April and May in their second year. Further nutrient supply occurs between July and August. The soil should be sufficiently moist and must not dry out in the following 14 days.
Cut heather correctly
In spring, remove last year's wilted inflorescences. This measure stimulates the growth of the dwarf shrubs so that they develop numerous fresh flowers in the coming flowering phase. By pruning you can prevent the lower areas from becoming bald. Be careful not to cut back into the old wood. Common heathers then sprout poorly.
How do I transplant correctly?
If the heather has to be transplanted due to lack of space or light, you should pay attention to the weather. For this measure, choose a cool and humid day so that the roots do not dry out. If the summer is very hot and dry, you should wait until October. After a rainy summer, you can start transplanting as early as September.
Before you dig up the plant, it should be cut back. A balanced ratio between leaf mass and root ball is ideal so that the dwarf shrub can regenerate well in the new location. Avoid cutting back into the old wood, otherwise the heather will look unsightly and will sprout poorly.
hardy
Calluna vulgaris is hardy and can tolerate temperatures in the double-digit minus range without any problems. It does not require any special winter protection. To prevent the ground from freezing in particularly cold winter months, you should spread brushwood and pine branches on the substrate. Water the plants on frost-free days. Since they do not shed their leaves, the dwarf shrubs need water even in winter. Long dry periods or frozen ground cause leaves and twigs to die.read more
Pests
Aphids and spider mites are among the pests that often attack heathers. Weakened bushes are particularly affected. If your plant is affected, you should review the care procedures. Overfertilization is the most common cause that leads to pest infestation. You can remove the pests with a sharp jet of water.
Fungal infestation
Waterlogging of the soil and damp weather provide ideal growth conditions for fungal spores. Calluna vulgaris is often attacked by Phytophthora or gray mold. Powdery mildew is a fair-weather fungus that spreads in dry and warm weather.
Wilting Mushroom
The sensitive roots of the common heather rot quickly when waterlogging forms in the ground. Under these conditions, the plants are often attacked by a wilt fungus from the genus Phytophthora. In young plants, fungal infestation causes them to suddenly dry out. Older specimens show stunted growth. Their leaves turn yellowish or red.
If your plant is affected, you should remove the diseased growths immediately. This will prevent the spores from spreading to other bushes. A treatment with special fungicidal agents helps preventatively.
Gray horse
Gray mold spreads on plant parts under high humidity. The spores settle in the lower area, which is poorly ventilated. They can also damage flowers and shoots. A severe infestation will cause rot, so you should act quickly and treat the plant with an antidote.
Powdery mildew
A mealy white coating on the plant parts indicates an infestation by powdery mildew. The lower leaves of affected plants often turn reddish. As a preventive measure, you should not give your plant nitrogen-rich fertilizers. They allow the tissue to become soft, which makes it easier for the spores to settle. Fungicide remedies help against an infestation.
Broom heather is not blooming
If the plant only blooms weakly or no longer blooms at all, the cause may be too high a s alt content in the substrate, excessive nutrient supply or waterlogging.
Tip
Bud heathers don't need to be cleaned out. This makes these varieties particularly easy to care for. Broom heathers with double flowers are equally easy to care for and enchant with romantic inflorescences. Both shapes are perfect for autumn potted arrangements that decorate festive tables.
Varieties
- Dark Beauty: Flowers shine wine red, double. Blooms from September to October. Grows ten to 20 centimeters high.
- Gardengirls: Budding heathers that carry their buds into December. Growth height 20 to 30 centimeters.
- Silver Queen: Develops silver-grey foliage. Blooms from September to November, flowers purple. Slow growth, between 35 and 50 centimeters high.
- Boskoop: Yellow foliage, turning orange to copper in autumn. Flowers mauve purple, blooming from August to September. Growth height between 20 and 30 centimeters.
- Peter Sparkes: Double flowers, deep pink. Grows between 30 and 45 centimeters high.
- Zeta: Yellow-green foliage. Does not develop flowers or buds. Growth height 25 to 40 centimeters.
