Fair heather friend - growing heather

Flower & Garden Magazine, Oct-Nov, 1994 by Jim Thompson

The selections rely to a considerable extent on the recommendations of the Royal Horticultural Society (RHS), the British Heather Society (BHS), and the authors of several books; however, I also have evaluated their opinions based upon subjective observations of the plants in my garden. The lists reflect my bias for colored-foliage plants, particularly when planted en masse.

Experts recommend spacing individual heather plants anywhere from 1 to 3 feet apart. Individual preferences will determine the precise planting distance. If a relatively quick groundcover is desired, space individual heather plants closer together. Wider spacing produces better shaped plants that are easier to prune, but weeding will be necessary for several seasons until plants mature, spread and join together.

Suggested use of lists:

* For a small garden, three or five of each plant on List 1;

* For a medium garden, seven or more of each plant on Lists 1 and 2;

* For a large garden, 10 or more of each plant on Lists 1, 2 and 3. (Substitute a plant of similar characteristics if a variety is not available.)

[TABULAR DATA OMITTED]

ABBREVIATIONS USED

RHS   =   Royal Horticultural Society
HC    =   Highly Recommended
FCC   =   First Class Certificate
AGM   =   Award of Garden Merit
AM    =   Award of Merit
BHS   =   British Heather Society
          Award Winner

AUTHORS' COMMENTS

A    =   Allen, Oliver E.,
Gardening with New Small Plants
B    =   Bartels, Andreas,
Gardening with Dwarf Trees and Shrubs
C    =   Chapple, Fred J.,
The Heather Garden
F    =   Foley, Daniel,
Gardening by the Sea
K    =   Knight, E.P.,
Heaths and Heathers
P    =   Proudley, Brian & Valerie,
Heathers in Colour
T    =   Toogood, Allen,
Conifers and Heathers
U    =   Underhill, Terry L.,
Heaths and Heathers
S    =   Small, David & Ann,
Handy Guide to Heathers
JT   =   Jim Thompson