Light Needs
Mature Height
Mature Spread
Growing Zones
Heather is a flowering perennial shrub that is low maintenance and beautiful. Common Scotch Heather or Calluna vulgaris features tall flowering stalks dotted with tiny blooms. The mauve to white flowers bloom from July through September. While the flowers are lovely, the unique scale-like foliage is also eye-catching and introduces an unexpected texture and a subtle pop of greenery.
Feature Common Scotch Heather along a walkway to create a border, add color and texture to a mixed bed, or create a stunning mass planting. This beauty is entirely at home in a butterfly garden, or you can plant Heather in a container to enjoy on a deck or balcony. The foliage puts on a spectacular fall display for even more visual appeal. Grow Common Scotch Heather in zones 4 through 6.
Common Scotch Heather Care
Heather is durable and can live in various soil conditions, but this plant prefers acidic, well-drained, moist soil. Plants grown in rich, acidic soil do not need fertilizer, but annual feedings in the spring will help plants grown in low-quality soil. Common Scotch Heather needs full to partial sun, and a spot with morning sun and afternoon shade is best in hot climates. Heather shrubs need one inch of water per week, but plants in warm climates may need more water.
Prune Common Scotch Heather in the spring to remove overgrowth and encourage a fuller appearance. Place a thick layer of mulch around the plant in the fall or early winter to protect against cold temperatures. Move potted Heather plants to a protected area in cold climates.
Common Scotch Heather Spacing
Common Scotch Heather grows 1 to 2 feet tall and wide. Space plants 1 to 2 feet apart to create a dense mass planting. For container growing, select a pot with a 12-inch diameter initially.
Common Scotch Heather Plant Facts
Growing Conditions
- Hardiness ZonesGrowing Zones
- USDA Zones 4 to 6 (perennial); grown as an annual elsewhere (outdoors year-round); grown indoors elsewhere (outdoors year-round); grown in containers elsewhere (grown as a seasonal crop)
- Sun Exposure
- Part Sun to Full Sun (5+ Hours Direct Sun)
- Mature Height
- 1-2 Feet
- Mature Spread
- 1-2 Feet
- Growth Habit
- , Upright
Flowers & Foliage
- Flower Colors
- , Pink
- Flower Description
- Tiny mauve to white flowers
- Bloom Time
- Summer
- Blooms On
-
New Wood
?
"Blooms on" tells you which stems produce flowers, which decides when it's safe to prune.
- New Wood: Flowers form on stems that grow this season. Prune in late winter or early spring without losing blooms.
- Old Wood: Flower buds form on last year's stems. Prune right after flowering. Pruning in fall or early spring removes next year's blooms.
- Both New and Old Wood: Blooms on last year's stems and again on new growth, so it flowers even after a hard winter or a mistimed pruning. Prune lightly after the first flush of blooms.
- When to Prune
- Late winter to early spring, before new growth starts
- Foliage Color
- , Green
- Foliage Description
- Green
- Foliage Type
- , Evergreen
- Seasonal Interest
- , Summer Flowering, Fall Flowering
Garden Benefits
Plant Overview
- Common Name
- Common Scotch Heather
- Also Known As
- Common Scotch Heather
- Botanical Name
- Calluna vulgaris
- Plant Type
- Shrub
Simple Plant Spacing Calculator
Please Note: The pictures below are to give a general representation of the different container sizes. The actual size/ages of plants are estimates and will vary based on type of plant, time of year, last pruning & many other factors.
Also Known As:
Quart
Plant Age:
~ 6 months - 1 year
Plant Size:
~ 4"-8"
Pot Size:
~ 4.75"H x 4.5"W
Volume:
1.50 quarts
Also Known As:
2.5 Quart Pot
Plant Age:
~ 1 - 2 years old
Plant Size:
~ 8"-12"
Pot Size:
~ 6.5"H x 6.5"W
Volume:
2.20-2.30 quarts
Also Known As:
#1 Container
1 Gallon
Plant Age:
~ 1 - 2 years old
Plant Size:
~ 10"-14"
Pot Size:
~ 7"H x 7.75"W
Volume:
2.26-3.73 quarts
Also Known As:
#2 Container
2 Gallon
Plant Age:
~ 1.5 - 3 years old
Plant Size:
~ 12"-18"
Pot Size:
~ 9.5"H x 9.5"W
Volume:
1.19-1.76 gallons
Also Known As:
#3 Container
3 Gallon
Plant Age:
~ 2 - 4 years old
Plant Size:
~ 12"-30"
Pot Size:
~9.5"H x 11"W
Volume:
2.32-2.76 gallons
Also Known As:
#5 Container
5 Gallon
Plant Age:
~3-4 years old
Plant Size:
~ 20" - 60"
Pot Size:
~11" H x 10 1/2” W
Volume:
3.5 - 4 gallons
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