Heather
Calluna vulgaris
- Native to:
- Austria, Azores, Baltic States, Belarus, Belgium, Bulgaria, Corse, Czechia-Slovakia, Denmark, Finland, Føroyar, France, Germany, Great Britain, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Kazakhstan, Madeira, Morocco, Netherlands, Norway, NW. Balkan Pen., Poland, Portugal, Romania, Russia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Türkiye, Türkiye-in-Europe, Ukraine
Robert Flogaus-Faust
Taxonomy
- Division:
- Magnoliophyta | - Flowering plants
- Family:
- Ericaceae
- Genus:
- Calluna
- Species:
- Calluna vulgaris
- USDA Symbol:
- CAVU
Growth Characteristics
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Growth Habit:
- Shrub
- Height:
- 60 cm
- Light Requirements:
- Full Sun
- Drought Tolerance:
- Medium
- Bloom Months:
- jul,aug,sep
- Bloom Colors:
- pink, purple, white
- Evergreen Shrub:
- Yes
- Landscaping Shrub:
- Yes
Wildlife Benefits
- Bees:
- ★★★☆☆ Documented bee visitation (GBIF)
- Butterflies & Moths:
- ★★★★★ Documented Lepidoptera association (GBIF)
- Caterpillars:
- ★☆☆☆☆ Recorded caterpillar host plant (HOSTS Database)
Host Plant for Caterpillars
Beautiful Yellow Underwing (Anarta myrtilli), T-moth (Emmelina monodactyla)
Garden & Ecology Notes
- Wildlife Value:
- bees, butterflies
- Deer Resistant:
- Yes
- Fire Ecology:
- Fire adapted — tolerates or benefits from fire
- Fire Notes:
- Resprouts from root crown after fire; seeds germinate readily on burned ground.
Soil Requirements
- Soil Type:
- sandy, acidic, nutrient-poor soil
- pH:
- 4.5 - 6.0 (acidic to slightly acidic)
- Drainage:
- excellent drainage required
- Moisture:
- dry to moderate
- Notes:
- Thrives in heathland and moorland environments
Propagation & Germination
- Stratification:
- Cold/moist stratification required — 30–60 days
- Germination Time:
- 21–60 days
- Notes:
- Seeds require cold stratification for 4-8 weeks to break dormancy; surface sow on acidic, well-drained medium.
ORGHPS Germination Guide: Sow @ 20C. Germinates within 3 months. Requires light / surface sow (fine seed).