Heather ∗ The 10 best care and planting tips (Erika)

Plant heather properly

Plant Common heather alternatively in April / May or September / October in a sunny to partially shaded location. The soil there should be poor, loosely humic and acidic. Since a single Calluna vulgaris lacks expressiveness, we recommend planting in small tuffs with 3-5 specimens or in a spacious arrangement as a ground cover. Therefore, create small planting holes at a distance of 20-30 cm to enrich the excavation with bog soil or leaf compost. Meanwhile, the still potted root balls of the young heather are allowed to drink their fill in soft water. Place the potted dwarf shrubs in the middle of the planting pit and fill the cavity with substrate to just below the lower leaves. After you have doused with soft water, we recommend spreading a layer of mulch made of autumn leaves or pine needles.

Care tips

The professional care program for common heather is based on a balanced water balance, because Calluna vulgaris rarely compensates for drought stress. All other aspects of successful cultivation come after this. How to do it right:

Heather Pour lime-free water as soon as the soil has dried
Fertilize in March / April with acidic deciduous or coniferous compost
Apply a liquid fertilizer in the pot from April to August every 4-6 weeks
Slightly cut back last year's shoot by half in March / April

While a light winter protection only makes sense in the bed in the year of planting, common heather in the pot should be protected from the rigors of winter every year. Wrap planters with foil or jute and cover the substrate with autumn leaves. Keep watering to keep the root ball from drying out.
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Which location is suitable?

In terms of light and temperature conditions, Besenheide is undemanding. It is more specific when the focus is on the nature of the soil at the location. We have put together all the relevant criteria for you here:

Sunny to partially shaded location
Surrounded by air and without summer heat build-up
Nutrient-poor, humus-free soil with good drainage
Lime-free and acidic with a pH value of 4.5 to 5.5

Common heather likes to socialize with other plants that prefer acidic soil, such as conifers, rhododendrons and ornamental grasses.
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What soil does the plant need?

You experience common heather in its most beautiful form when the earth is lean, fresh, moist and acidic. A pH value of 4.5 to 5.5 is just right for the Calluna vulgaris varieties, because the ornamental shrubs want nothing to do with lime. An uncomplicated test from the garden center removes all doubts, provided that there are not already typical pointer plants on site, such as Pansy, Daisies, ornamental grasses or Honorary award.

What is the best time to plant?

Common heather grown in the container can be planted at any time. On the other hand, avoid times when there is summer drought or the ground is already frozen. Calluna vulgaris get the best starting conditions for a long plant life when the planting is completed in autumn. The roots establish themselves particularly quickly in the sun-warm soil.

When is the flowering time?

Calluna vulgaris usually blooms from August to November. Thanks to innovative new breeds, there are magnificent hybrids to choose from, which delight us with their flowers from July to December. As a rule of thumb, varieties with single flowers show more stamina than common heather with double flowers. Cut back the small ornamental shrubs in spring to make space for the next flower festival.
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Cut the heather properly

Common heather is characterized by its lush ramifications and slow growth. In order to maintain the willingness to flower and maintain vitality, we recommend pruning annually. The best date for this important maintenance measure is an overcast, frost-free day in March or April. How to do it right:

With the Secateurs cut off the shoot of the previous year by half
Do not cut into old wood, as Calluna vulgaris will find it difficult to sprout again
At the same time, thoroughly clear out the entire small shrub
Separate dead wood close to the ground as well as meager and inward-facing branches

After a very mild winter, move the date forward to February, as early new shoots can be expected.
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Watering the heather

If heather is exposed to drought stress, the ornamental shrub reacts with irrigation. Within a few days, all the flowers and leaves fall sadly to the ground. So that it doesn't get that far, water Calluna vulgaris regularly when the surface of the earth is dry. In the best case scenario, you should use decalcified tap water, collected rainwater or pond water. With the help of a layer of mulch, you reduce the need for watering, as leaves, pine needles or bark mulch keep the soil moist longer.

Fertilize heather properly

Common heather is satisfied with an organic start fertilization in spring. Ideally, you add acidic deciduous or coniferous compost to the roots. If you regularly water with nutrient-rich pond water, there is no need to give fertilizers. A mulch layer of leaves or pine needles prevents deficiency symptoms from occurring in the first place. If a Calluna vulgaris thrives in a pot or balcony box, apply a liquid fertilizer to the substrate every 4-6 weeks.

Overwinter

Common heather is one of the hardy heather plants. Especially in the bed, frosty temperatures cannot harm the autumnal permanent bloomer. Winter drought is more dangerous than freezing temperatures. If there is no snow or rain, water with lime-free water on mild days. In the year of planting, we recommend a mulch layer of leaves and pine needles, as young Calluna vulgaris have not yet fully developed their winter hardiness.

Propagate heather

The numerous methods of propagation are among the many advantages of common heather. There is a suitable procedure for every hobby gardener:

Half lignified in summer Cut cuttings and in potty with Potting soil let root
In spring, pull flexible twigs to the ground, dig in the middle and cut off when a root system has formed
In autumn, dig up the root ball, divide it and place it in the ground at the new location

the sowing By contrast, von Besenheide turns out to be labor-intensive and time-consuming. Since it is a matter of light and cold germs, 2-3 years pass before you can look forward to the first bloom.
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How do I transplant properly?

Besenheide readily accepts a change of location. Dig up the root ball in autumn or spring. In the new place, place the dwarf shrub in loose, humus-rich and acidic soil. Keep the previous planting depth as possible and water with soft water. If you enrich the excavation with leaf compost or bog soil, this measure has a vitalizing effect on further growth.

Heather in the pot

In the pot, common heather creates autumnal serenity on the balcony and terrace in a sunny to partially shaded location. We recommend it as a substrate Rhododendron soil, enriched with Lava granules(€ 14.00 at Amazon *) or Expanded clay.(€ 16.35 at Amazon *) Cover the water drain in the floor with a pottery shard as an effective prophylaxis against waterlogging. How to properly care for the distinctive Calluna vulgaris:

Keep the substrate slightly moist at all times
Preferably pour with soft water
Apply liquid fertilizer every 4-6 weeks from March to August
Cut the previous year's growth by half in March / April

The heather plant is well hardy. However, we recommend wrapping the pot with bubble wrap or colorful jute ribbons. Do not let the dwarf shrub dry out during the winter and water it with lime-free water from time to time.

Is heather poisonous?

You won't find common heather on the list of poisonous plants. Rather, the legendary healer Sebastian Kneipp already appreciated the effective ingredients to heal various ailments with natural means. Prepared as an infusion, flowers and leaves alleviate diseases of the urinary and respiratory tract. Applied externally, heather helps against skin irritations of all kinds. In addition, we owe Calluna vulgaris the unique heather honey, as the flowering wood swarmed around a lot Bee pasture is.
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Brown leaves

Brown leaves on a heather put the experienced hobby gardener on high alert, because the ornamental wood is obviously suffering from drought stress. As a rule, this damage is accompanied by trickling. Immediately pour plenty of soft water without causing waterlogging. Place Calluna vulgaris in the pot with the root ball in lime-free water until no more air bubbles appear.

Yellow leaves

If the shiny green leaves turn yellow on evergreen heather, this symptom indicates an excess of lime in the soil. In this context, the pH rises, which blocks the absorption of important nutrients. Switch the water supply to collected rainwater or decalcified tap water. At an advanced stage fertilize Briefly take an iron supplement to make up for the deficiency.

Nice varieties

Brina: Noble summer heather with ruby-red, double flowers for heather gardens, tubs and balcony boxes; Growth height 10-30 cm
Boskoop: Common heather with purple flowers over golden yellow foliage; a feast for the eyes in every season; Growth height 20-30 cm
Westerlee Gold: Calluna vulgaris with white flowers from September to October with golden yellow leaves; Growth height 20-30 cm
Angie: The variety scores with a long flowering period in a light red pile from August to November; Growth height 20-30 cm
Rosita: The little jewel blooms in pure pink from October to December in beds and tubs; Growth height 10-20 cm
Beoley Silver: Premium variety that accentuates the white flowers with shimmering silvery leaves; Growth height 30-35 cm