Light Needs
Mature Height
Mature Spread
Growing Zones
Luca Scotch Heather (Calluna vulgaris Beauty Ladies® ‘Luca’) captivates gardeners with an abundance of showy purple blooms that persist from summer into late fall. Its semi-upright form creates a dense, mounding habit, offering a neat silhouette and year-round visual interest. With golden foliage that shifts to orange and red in cooler weather, this heather provides multi-season color unlike many other flowering shrubs. Deemed deer-resistant and exceptionally long-blooming, Luca stands out in borders, containers, or in groups for a striking mass display.
Beyond its beautiful blooms, Luca Scotch Heather features evergreen foliage that retains charm even when blossoms fade. Its low-maintenance, drought-tolerant nature makes it an ideal candidate for rock gardens or slopes where other shrubs may struggle. Protected from harsh winter winds, it grows best in temperate regions and appreciates light pruning. Use it to form petite hedges, accent your favorite perennials, or brighten a porch container with consistent, cheerful color.
Luca Scotch Heather Care
Plant Luca Scotch Heather in full sun to partial shade, ensuring at least four hours of direct sunlight per day. Provide slightly acidic, well-drained soil with moderate moisture; avoid waterlogged conditions to prevent root issues. Water regularly the first season to establish roots, then reduce watering once the plant is settled. An annual application of organic fertilizer in early spring helps maintain vigorous growth, although excessive feeding can lead to leggy stems. A thin layer of mulch helps conserve moisture and regulate soil temperature, benefiting long-term health.
After blooming, light pruning can help preserve shape and remove spent flowers. Clip only the tips of the stems to avoid damaging older wood, which may not regenerate easily. Consider providing winter protection if you live in very cold regions, such as wrapping the plant or placing windbreaks. Container-grown heathers can be moved to a sheltered spot when temperatures plunge.
Luca Scotch Heather Spacing
Space plants about 2 to 3 feet apart when forming a low hedge or mass planting, ensuring adequate airflow and coverage. For single container displays, choose a pot at least 12 inches wide and deep, leaving space for root development and providing stability against wind.
Luca Scotch Heather Plant Facts
Growing Conditions
- Hardiness ZonesGrowing Zones
- USDA Zones 4 to 10 (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 Shade to Full Sun (3+ Hours Direct Sun)
- Mature Height
- 2-3 Feet
- Mature Spread
- 2-3 Feet
- Growth Rate
- Slow
- Growth Habit
- , Upright
- Water Needs
- Dry
Flowers & Foliage
- Flower Colors
- , Purple
- Flower Description
- Vibrant Purple
- Bloom Time
- Late Summer to Fall
- 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
- , Orange, Red
- Foliage Description
- Golden foliage turns orange and red in cooler weather
- Foliage Type
- , Evergreen
- Seasonal Interest
- , Summer Flowering, Fall Flowering, Fall Interest, Winter Interest, 3 Season Interest
Garden Benefits
Plant Overview
- Common Name
- Luca Scotch Heather
- Also Known As
- Luca Scotch Heather, Beauty Ladies' Luca
- Botanical Name
- Calluna vulgaris 'Luca'
- Brand
- Proven Winners
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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This plant cannot be shipped to the following states: AK, HI. These restrictions apply only to this specific plant due to agricultural regulations or other limitations. Other plants may still be available for shipping to these states.
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