How To Grow Heaths, Heathers and Dwarf Conifers

Heaths and Heathers

Heaths and heathers are very easy to grow, and require very little maintenance, which makes them perfect for the busy gardener. Although they do best in acid soils, most winter- and spring-flowering heaths will tolerate neutral or mildly alkaline soils (although they will not thrive on very chalky soils). Heathers are not lime tolerant and must be grown on acid soils. If you are uncertain about the nature of your soil, soil testing kits are readily and cheaply available online. Heaths and heathers are ideal for rock gardens, coastal gardens, on slopes, and are excellent ground cover plants. And if you do turn out to have alkaline soil, they do very well in containers filled with ericaceous compost. Heaths and heathers are also very attractive to bees and butterflies and provide a valuable source of nectar early in the year.

Planting

Heaths and heathers grow best in open, sunny situations, will well-drained soils that retain some moisture. Avoid planting under trees or in boggy areas. Heaths and heathers will tolerate some shade but will not flower as well. Golden-foliaged varieties will need full sun in order to maintain their colour.

Heaths and heathers have fine rots and may struggle with heavier soils to begin with, so add bark, compost or grit to open up heavy soils before planting. Sandy soils will benefit from the addition of loamy soil to hold in moisture. Plants may require some additional watering in summer after planting. And remember that if you are planting on a slope, it can dry out very quickly.

Plant in odd-numbered groups or as mixed single plants (we recommend 9 plants per square yard).

Cultivation

Heaths and heathers can be fed sparingly with a general fertiliser in spring and early summer. Shear the plants immediately after the flowers fade. Don't leave it too long as the new flower buds form in the summer. An annual light shearing will produce bushier plants. If left unpruned for several years, heaths and heathers should not be cut back hard as they will not regrow from old wood.

Pests and Diseases

Rabbits and deer may eat young shoots. Heaths and heathers are mostly disease-free although they may suffer from powdery mildew, root rot or rust.

Growing in Containers

Heaths and heathers do very well in containers filled with ericaceous compost. Remember to water them regularly: containers should not be allowed to dry out.

Dwarf Conifers

Dwarf conifers are simply very slow-growing conifers that make less than six inches' growth per year. They are very easy to maintain, requiring little to no pruning (though prostrate junipers may require a light trim from time to time to stop them spreading too far). Most conifers are happy in any kind of moist, well-drained, fertile soil though some (Alberta Spruce 'Conica', Lawsons Cypress 'Ellwood's Gold') prefer acid to neutral conditions. Conifers are happy in full sun, and most will tolerate some shade.

Cultivation

Dwarf conifers should be watered regularly but require little attention otherwise. Upright conifers should not need pruning. Prostrate conifers, junipers in particular, may occasionally require a light trim. Avoid cutting back too hard as conifers will not regenerate from old wood. Take care when handling plants as some conifers can cause skin irritation.