30 Jun Calluna season starts now!!
The heather blanketed moorlands of Britain are an iconic sight when they bloom in late summer. These hardy heather plants, also known as ling plants, calluna heather or simply common heather, are loved by insects too. Calluna vulgaris is easy to care for and extremely popular with gardeners and beneficial insects alike. It is a low-growing plant that is also well suited as a ground cover.
Is Calluna vulgaris winter-hardy?
Generally speaking, calluna heather is a cold hardy plant. However, you should mulch your heather plants before their first winter, as their hardiness has not yet fully developed. After the first year, frosty temperatures will no longer harm Calluna vulgaris. During the winter, it is also essential to ensure that the plants have sufficient moisture, especially if it has not rained or snowed, as winter drought can cause lasting damage to your heather plants. You should water your heather on mild days.
Calluna vulgaris: flowering time and characteristics
The following table provides a brief overview of the perennial heather flower.
| Origin | Northern and Central Europe |
| Growth Habit | Evergreen dwarf shrub, upright habit |
| Growth Height | Between 30 and 50 cm |
| Flowering Time | August to November, depending on variety |
| Flower Colour | Mostly pink to light violet, but there are also white varieties |
| Leaf Shape | Narrow needle-shaped leaves, scale-like along the shoot |