In September, heathers begin blooming in gardens and forests. Heather is represented in the flora of Poland by one species, called the common heather Caluna vulgaris L. It grows almost all over Europe, with the exception of the Apennine and Balkan Peninsulas.In Poland, it is found in pine forests and on moors, where in August and September it is in full flower and looks very attractive.
Heathers grow in acidic, dry and sandy soils, along with Scots pine, Common juniper, warty birch and genera. Heather is a shrub with raised or partially overlapping shoots. The shoots are always covered with green scaly leaves. The flowers are small, bell-shaped, gathered in narrow spiky inflorescences. 300 cultivars of common heather are grown in nurseries and collections. The varieties differ in the structure of shrubs and their height, color and structure of flowers (single, full and bud) as well as the color of the leaves during vegetation and in winter.
Heathers require a special substrate, because the soils in our gardens do not meet their specific requirements. The soil should be properly prepared, with an admixture of acidic high peat or composted pine bark.These additives favor the development of fungi that coexist with the roots of heather plants, which have a beneficial effect on their growth. This phenomenon is called mycorrhiza. The prepared soil should be acidic, expressed on a pH scale of 4.0 - 5.5. Plants in pots are best planted from August to the beginning of October, in a sunny position or in light partial shade, sheltered from eastern and northern winds.
Heathers are planted every 30-50 cm in irregular groups, in flowering varieties with different seasons or with different colors of flowers and leaves. During planting, it is important to loosen the root ball, as plants produced in pots create a dense felt root system, which often prevents plants from taking root and limits water uptake, which leads to plant dieback. Heathers are irreplaceable in home gardens, where they are planted with rhododendrons, heathers, azaleas, kalmia, pieris, low and columnar forms of coniferous trees and shrubs, as well as ornamental grasses and perennial sedges.In winter, heathers require protection: we cover them with branches of coniferous trees and shrubs or with agrotextile. In spring it is important to cut out the faded inflorescences, which will stimulate the plants to produce new shoots finished with flowers.
