How to Care for Heather Plants
Heather is a robust, colorful perennial shrub that is native in cold, damp climates and can grow well in rocky, acidic soil with little to no fertilizer. Heather foliage comes in a wide range of colors including pink, red, copper, bronze, silver and an array of varying greens. This plant also flowers in colors such as white, purple, amethyst, red and pink, amongst others. Planting a variety of heather in your yard will provide a bright setting with a brilliant canvas of colors to add great appeal to your landscaping. Does this Spark an idea?
Instructions
-
-
1
Locate an area to plant your heather. Look for a spot that will receive at least 4-6 hours of sunlight a day, even in the winter. Allow plenty of room for the plant to grow. Mature plants can grow up to 3 feet wide.
-
2
Dig a hole that is twice the size of the root ball of the plant in the spring or fall. Heather does well in poor or rocky soil that is slightly acidic, with a pH balance of 4.5 to 5.5 for best results.
-
-
3
Cover heather with a 3-inch layer of mulch such as chopped leaves, dried grass, pine needles or wood chips to help hold in moisture and combat weeds. Keep well-watered, twice weekly after the first planting for several months. Also be sure to water heather well before the first winter freeze. Soil should be moist but not boggy.
-
4
Avoid fertilizing heather. Poor soil forces the plant to develop a deep rooting system in order to find nutrients.
-
5
Shear or mow heather if it grows too quickly or tall in the spring. Remove dead stems and shape the plant as needed in the spring.
-
1
Tips & Warnings
Heather is a highly-adaptable plant and can survive in a variety of soil types.
Heather is resistant to most insects, diseases and common burrowing animals.
Do not over-water heather plants; it can kill them.
