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Heather (Calluna)
Also known as : Ling
Heather (Calluna) are low-growing evergreen shrubs. Fond of moist, acidic soils, these plants are strongly associated with heathland, moorland, and the regions and countries where those habitat types or prominent (such as Scotland and Ireland). Often planted ornamentally, heather can be tricky to grow if soil is insufficiently acidic. In addition to being culturally and ornamentally significant, this plant serves as an important a food source for grazing mammals, several species of birds, and many species of insects.
Lifespan
Perennial
Plant Type
Shrub
Key Facts About Heather
Feedback
Attributes of Heather
Leaf type
Evergreen
Ideal Temperature
15 - 38 ℃
Scientific Classification of Heather
Distribution of Heather
Feedback
Distribution Map of Heather
Native
Cultivated
Invasive
Potentially invasive
Exotic
No species reported
How to Grow and Care for Heather
Feedback
Heather is a hardy shrub known for its tolerance of poor soil and exposure. Basic care involves providing full sun to partial shade, consistent moisture without waterlogging, and well-draining, acidic soil. Common challenges include root rot, fungal diseases, and pests such as spider mites. Seasonally, heather requires protection from winter winds and wet conditions. In spring and summer, pruning after blooming maintains shape, while autumn care focuses on mulching for insulation.
How to Water Heather?
What Are the Sunlight Requirements for Heather?
How to Propagate Heather?
How to Plant Heather?
Exploring the Heather Plants
Feedback
8 most common species：
Scotch heather
Scotch heather (Calluna vulgaris) is an evergreen flowering shrub that produces hundreds of rose-pink to purplish-pink, bell-shaped flowers that bloom in late summer. Relatively low maintenance, it is perfect in rock gardens or used as a border or ground cover. It prefers acidic soil and will grow from 30 to 61 cm in full sun to partial shade.
Common heather 'Beoley Gold'
Common heather 'Beoley Gold' is a flowering dwarf evergreen shrub from the Ericaceae family. It has white blooms and spiny gold leaves that add a pop of color to any landscape. It’s well known for keeping its color year-round, and many people use this hardy plant in sandy or acidic soils that may be difficult for other plants.
Common heather 'Allegro'
Common heather 'Allegro's ruby-red blossoms differentiate it from its parent plant's pink/pale purple ones. It's a heather cultivar that was originally derived from Calluna vulgaris, the common heather. Its many small flowers are appreciated amongst gardeners for their pleasant appearance, and can become so numerous that they appear to turn the entire plant red.
Common heather 'Wickwar Flame'
Named after a town in Gloucestershire, common heather 'Wickwar Flame' was developed from the Common heather ‘Olympic Gold’ cultivar. Its name also refers to the unique foliage presented by this plant. Starting a golden-yellow color, the leaves deepen to a coppery red by the end of the season. This plant also provides a show of mauve flowers in the late summer.
Common heather 'Silver Rose'
Common heather 'Silver Rose' is a low-growing, or dwarf, evergreen heather, or ling, which produces small pale purple flowers against pretty silver-grey foliage. The name comes from this coloring. It forms mats, so it is ideal for covering large areas with little effort. It also attracts bees to the garden.
Common heather 'Dark Beauty'
Common heather 'Dark Beauty' is a common Heather cultivar. As its name implies, common heather 'Dark Beauty' is one of the Heather cultivars known for its very dark foliage and darker-than-usual flowers. The flowers come in a marvelous deep-pink color that eventually turns ruby-red.
Common heather 'Gold Haze'
Common heather 'Gold Haze' got its name because of its golden-green leaves, which brighten ornamental gardens and seem to glow at sunrise and sunset. By contrast, the parent plant has dark green leaves. This hybrid's flowers are a different color too, blooming white (instead of purple) in late summer and early fall.
Common heather 'Annemarie'
Common heather 'Annemarie' is a dwarf evergreen heather, or ling, which produces small dark pink flowers. These flowers grow in two long rows along racemes, and are a striking and decorative contrast against the plant’s dark green foliage. It forms mats, so it is ideal for covering large areas with little effort. It also attracts bees to the garden.
All Species of Heather
Scotch heather
Scotch heather
Scotch heather (Calluna vulgaris) is an evergreen flowering shrub that produces hundreds of rose-pink to purplish-pink, bell-shaped flowers that bloom in late summer. Relatively low maintenance, it is perfect in rock gardens or used as a border or ground cover. It prefers acidic soil and will grow from 30 to 61 cm in full sun to partial shade.
Common heather 'Beoley Gold'
Common heather 'Beoley Gold'
Common heather 'Beoley Gold' is a flowering dwarf evergreen shrub from the Ericaceae family. It has white blooms and spiny gold leaves that add a pop of color to any landscape. It’s well known for keeping its color year-round, and many people use this hardy plant in sandy or acidic soils that may be difficult for other plants.
Common heather 'Allegro'
Common heather 'Allegro'
Common heather 'Allegro's ruby-red blossoms differentiate it from its parent plant's pink/pale purple ones. It's a heather cultivar that was originally derived from Calluna vulgaris, the common heather. Its many small flowers are appreciated amongst gardeners for their pleasant appearance, and can become so numerous that they appear to turn the entire plant red.
Common heather 'Wickwar Flame'
Common heather 'Wickwar Flame'
Named after a town in Gloucestershire, common heather 'Wickwar Flame' was developed from the Common heather ‘Olympic Gold’ cultivar. Its name also refers to the unique foliage presented by this plant. Starting a golden-yellow color, the leaves deepen to a coppery red by the end of the season. This plant also provides a show of mauve flowers in the late summer.
Common heather 'Silver Rose'
Common heather 'Silver Rose'
Common heather 'Silver Rose' is a low-growing, or dwarf, evergreen heather, or ling, which produces small pale purple flowers against pretty silver-grey foliage. The name comes from this coloring. It forms mats, so it is ideal for covering large areas with little effort. It also attracts bees to the garden.
Common heather 'Dark Beauty'
Common heather 'Dark Beauty'
Common heather 'Dark Beauty' is a common Heather cultivar. As its name implies, common heather 'Dark Beauty' is one of the Heather cultivars known for its very dark foliage and darker-than-usual flowers. The flowers come in a marvelous deep-pink color that eventually turns ruby-red.
Common heather 'Gold Haze'
Common heather 'Gold Haze'
Common heather 'Gold Haze' got its name because of its golden-green leaves, which brighten ornamental gardens and seem to glow at sunrise and sunset. By contrast, the parent plant has dark green leaves. This hybrid's flowers are a different color too, blooming white (instead of purple) in late summer and early fall.
Common heather 'Annemarie'
Common heather 'Annemarie'
Common heather 'Annemarie' is a dwarf evergreen heather, or ling, which produces small dark pink flowers. These flowers grow in two long rows along racemes, and are a striking and decorative contrast against the plant’s dark green foliage. It forms mats, so it is ideal for covering large areas with little effort. It also attracts bees to the garden.
Common heather 'Dark Star'
Common heather 'Dark Star'
Common heather 'Dark Star' is a dwarf evergreen heather, or ling, which produces small dark red flowers against deep green foliage which turns bronze in the winter. This muted color palette probably gave it its name. It forms mats, so it is ideal for covering large areas with little effort. It also attracts bees to the garden.
Common heather 'Joy Vanstone'
Common heather 'Joy Vanstone'
Common heather 'Joy Vanstone' is a cultivated plant from the heath family. Bred as a dwarf evergreen plant, it is a popular addition in spring and summer gardens. Another difference between common heather 'Joy Vanstone' and other plants in the genus is the foliage, which changes from yellow to orange in the winter.
Common heather 'Mair's Variety'
Common heather 'Mair's Variety'
Common heather 'Mair's Variety' is a lovely cultivar of Common heather with dark foliage and erect spikes of white flowers that bloom in the summer and autumn. The white flowers are unique to common heather 'Mair's Variety', as the parent plant usually has mauve flowers in the wild. This unique color, as well as the long flower spikes, make this a favorite heather of many gardeners.
More Popular Genus
Feedback
Dracaena
Dracaena are popular house plants that are easy to grow. They can tolerate low-light conditions and require little watering. Their leaves range from variegated to dark green. Their characteristic traits include woody stems that grow slowly but offer a striking appearance for small spaces such as apartments or offices.
Fig trees
Fig trees have been cultivated in many regions for their fruits, particularly the common fig, F. carica. Most of the species have edible fruits, although the common fig is the only one of commercial value. Fig trees are also important food sources for wildlife in the tropics, including monkeys, bats, and insects.
Brambles
Brambles are members of the rose family, and there are hundreds of different types to be found throughout the European countryside. They have been culturally significant for centuries; Christian folklore stories hold that when the devil was thrown from heaven, he landed on a bramble bush. Their vigorous growth habit can tangle into native plants and take over.
Maples
The popular tree family known as maples change the color of their leaves in the fall. Many cultural traditions encourage people to watch the colors change, such as momijigari in Japan. Maples popular options for bonsai art. Alternately, their sap is used to create maple syrup.
Prunus
Prunus is a genus of flowering fruit trees that includes almonds, cherries, plums, peaches, nectarines, and apricots. These are often known as "stone fruits" because their pits are large seeds or "stones." When prunus trees are damaged, they exhibit "gummosis," a condition in which the tree's gum (similar to sap) is secreted to the bark to help heal external wounds.
Nightshades
Nightshades is a large and diverse genus of plants, with more than 1500 different types worldwide. This genus incorporates both important staple food crops like tomato, potato, and eggplant, but also dangerous poisonous plants from the nightshade family. The name was coined by Pliny the Elder almost two thousand years ago.
Roses
Most species of roses are shrubs or climbing plants that have showy flowers and sharp thorns. They are commonly cultivated for cut flowers or as ornamental plants in gardens due to their attractive appearance, pleasant fragrance, and cultural significance in many countries. The rose hips (fruits) can also be used in jams and teas.
Oaks
Oaks are among the world's longest-lived trees, sometimes growing for over 1,000 years! The oldest known oak tree is in the southern United States and is over 1,500 years old. Oaks produce an exceedingly popular type of wood which is used to make different products, from furniture and flooring to wine barrels and even cosmetic creams.
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About
Key Facts
Distribution
How To Care
All Species
More Genus
Heather
Calluna
Also known as: Ling
Heather (Calluna) are low-growing evergreen shrubs. Fond of moist, acidic soils, these plants are strongly associated with heathland, moorland, and the regions and countries where those habitat types or prominent (such as Scotland and Ireland). Often planted ornamentally, heather can be tricky to grow if soil is insufficiently acidic. In addition to being culturally and ornamentally significant, this plant serves as an important a food source for grazing mammals, several species of birds, and many species of insects.
Lifespan
Perennial
Plant Type
Shrub
Key Facts About Heather
Feedback
Attributes of Heather
Leaf type
Evergreen
Ideal Temperature
15 - 38 ℃
Scientific Classification of Heather
Distribution of Heather
Feedback
Distribution Map of Heather
Native
Cultivated
Invasive
Potentially invasive
Exotic
No species reported
How to Grow and Care for Heather
Feedback
Heather is a hardy shrub known for its tolerance of poor soil and exposure. Basic care involves providing full sun to partial shade, consistent moisture without waterlogging, and well-draining, acidic soil. Common challenges include root rot, fungal diseases, and pests such as spider mites. Seasonally, heather requires protection from winter winds and wet conditions. In spring and summer, pruning after blooming maintains shape, while autumn care focuses on mulching for insulation.
How to Water Heather?
What Are the Sunlight Requirements for Heather?
How to Propagate Heather?
How to Plant Heather?
Exploring the Heather Plants
Feedback
8 most common species：
Scotch heather
Scotch heather (Calluna vulgaris) is an evergreen flowering shrub that produces hundreds of rose-pink to purplish-pink, bell-shaped flowers that bloom in late summer. Relatively low maintenance, it is perfect in rock gardens or used as a border or ground cover. It prefers acidic soil and will grow from 30 to 61 cm in full sun to partial shade.
Common heather 'Beoley Gold'
Common heather 'Beoley Gold' is a flowering dwarf evergreen shrub from the Ericaceae family. It has white blooms and spiny gold leaves that add a pop of color to any landscape. It’s well known for keeping its color year-round, and many people use this hardy plant in sandy or acidic soils that may be difficult for other plants.
Common heather 'Allegro'
Common heather 'Allegro's ruby-red blossoms differentiate it from its parent plant's pink/pale purple ones. It's a heather cultivar that was originally derived from Calluna vulgaris, the common heather. Its many small flowers are appreciated amongst gardeners for their pleasant appearance, and can become so numerous that they appear to turn the entire plant red.
Common heather 'Wickwar Flame'
Named after a town in Gloucestershire, common heather 'Wickwar Flame' was developed from the Common heather ‘Olympic Gold’ cultivar. Its name also refers to the unique foliage presented by this plant. Starting a golden-yellow color, the leaves deepen to a coppery red by the end of the season. This plant also provides a show of mauve flowers in the late summer.
Show More Species
All Species of Heather
Scotch heather
Common heather 'Beoley Gold'
Common heather 'Allegro'
Common heather 'Wickwar Flame'
Common heather 'Silver Rose'
Common heather 'Dark Beauty'
Common heather 'Gold Haze'
Common heather 'Annemarie'
Common heather 'Dark Star'
Common heather 'Joy Vanstone'
Common heather 'Mair's Variety'
More Popular Genus
Feedback
Dracaena
Dracaena are popular house plants that are easy to grow. They can tolerate low-light conditions and require little watering. Their leaves range from variegated to dark green. Their characteristic traits include woody stems that grow slowly but offer a striking appearance for small spaces such as apartments or offices.
Fig trees
Fig trees have been cultivated in many regions for their fruits, particularly the common fig, F. carica. Most of the species have edible fruits, although the common fig is the only one of commercial value. Fig trees are also important food sources for wildlife in the tropics, including monkeys, bats, and insects.
Brambles
Brambles are members of the rose family, and there are hundreds of different types to be found throughout the European countryside. They have been culturally significant for centuries; Christian folklore stories hold that when the devil was thrown from heaven, he landed on a bramble bush. Their vigorous growth habit can tangle into native plants and take over.
Maples
The popular tree family known as maples change the color of their leaves in the fall. Many cultural traditions encourage people to watch the colors change, such as momijigari in Japan. Maples popular options for bonsai art. Alternately, their sap is used to create maple syrup.
Prunus
Prunus is a genus of flowering fruit trees that includes almonds, cherries, plums, peaches, nectarines, and apricots. These are often known as "stone fruits" because their pits are large seeds or "stones." When prunus trees are damaged, they exhibit "gummosis," a condition in which the tree's gum (similar to sap) is secreted to the bark to help heal external wounds.
Nightshades
Nightshades is a large and diverse genus of plants, with more than 1500 different types worldwide. This genus incorporates both important staple food crops like tomato, potato, and eggplant, but also dangerous poisonous plants from the nightshade family. The name was coined by Pliny the Elder almost two thousand years ago.
Roses
Most species of roses are shrubs or climbing plants that have showy flowers and sharp thorns. They are commonly cultivated for cut flowers or as ornamental plants in gardens due to their attractive appearance, pleasant fragrance, and cultural significance in many countries. The rose hips (fruits) can also be used in jams and teas.
Oaks
Oaks are among the world's longest-lived trees, sometimes growing for over 1,000 years! The oldest known oak tree is in the southern United States and is over 1,500 years old. Oaks produce an exceedingly popular type of wood which is used to make different products, from furniture and flooring to wine barrels and even cosmetic creams.
Your Ultimate Guide to Plants
Identify grow and nurture the better way!
17,000 local species +400,000 global species studied
Nearly 5 years of research
80+ scholars in botany and gardening
Continue reading in our app - it's better
A database of 400000+ plants
unlimited guides at your fingertips...
unlimited guides at your fingertips...
