Site: Heathers should be planted in a position where it will be in sun for all or most of the day and, if possible, facing south. Planting on dry sites or under trees should be avoided. Bold plantings of groups of 3,5,7 etc or more of each cultivar give a good overall effect, however single cultivars, chosen to contrast or complement each other can look attractive in a small garden.

Plan on using 6-9 plants per sq. metre making allowances for other small leaved shrubs planted with the heathers. Plant plants deeply with the lower foliage resting on the soil surface.

Soil Preparation: Most heaths and heathers require an acid soil PH (below 7.0). No lime! Prepare the soil to a depth of 30cm (1 foot). If soil is predominantly clay, remove soil to a depth of one foot (or plant in raised beds). Replace with equal amounts of garden loam and peat moss. Plant with bone meal and ericaceous compost.

Mulching: To limit weeding and retain moisture mulching the heather garden is important. Place a 2” layer of peat, composted bark or bark chips around the plants and the entire planting area. Push the mulch under the foliage so that it is touching the main stem of the plant.

Watering: Water plants after planting. Watering newly planted heathers is crucial.

Aftercare: Keep the bed free of weeds, a peat mulch will greatly assist this task. Heathers benefit from an annual pruning and the following schedule may be of assistance.

Calluna vulgaris
Each February or March, prune long flowering spikes back to plant. Trim off all flower heads.

Daboecia cantabrica
Each February or March, trim off dead flowers and seed pods, to make bushy growth.

Erica carnea
Every other April or May, trim flower heads with shears. Trim the more vigorous cultivars hard to stop the centre going bare.

Erica ciliaris
Each April or May, trim off dead flowers.

Erica cinerea
Each February or March, trim off dead flowers particularly long flowering spikes.

Erica tetralix, Erica x stuartii
Each April or May, trim off dead flowers.