Family: Ericaceae
Common Name: Heather, Ling

Although this is the famous plant of the Scottish moors, it can also be found in England, Europe and north-west America (where it was probably introduced). Comprising only the one species, this hardy, evergreen shrub ranges, throughout its varieties, from 15 to 90 cm (6 to 36 in) in height. Masses of small, purple flowers cover C. vulgaris in the late summer, although other colours can be obtained in the named varieties.

Varieties

'Alba' cultivars have white flowers, double in 'Alba Plena', 'Aurea' has yellow-gold leaves and 'Cuprea' is noted for its copper-coloured foliage. The many cultivars including 'Blazeaway', 'Golden Feather', 'Red Haze', 'Robert Chapman' and 'Searlei Aurea', provide both a range of flower colours and a range of foliage colours that in winter often change to deeper tones.

Cultivation

Heather does best in moist, cool conditions, in lime-free, peaty soil. Trim off the old flower heads in early spring to encourage bushiness. Propagate from 2.5 cm (1 in) long non-flowering shoots, planted in a mixture of sand and peat in mid to late summer.

Climate

Zone 4.