HEATHERS Calluna

Commonly known as Ling, Scots heather

A patch of heathland for a garden with acidic soil bringing colour and food for bees from July to November. The plant of most moorland in Europe.

Genus of one species of evergreen shrub from lime-free habitats such as moorland, bogs and heathland in northern and western Europe, including Iceland and the Faroe islands. It extends into western Asia (Siberia), northern Morocco and the Azores. It is naturalized in temperate eastern and western North America and is an unwelcome plant in New Zealand and Australia. It is also found in sub-Antarctic islands including Tristan da Cunha.

Hundreds of cultivars exist. Most are valuable bee attracting shrubs but many have been bred with persistently closed buds or "double" flowers which are of no nature value. Heather honey, thicker and difficult to extract, is an important product which is usually sold as comb honey. Other, historical uses for calluna was for beer before hops were used and for besom brooms.

References in literature to heather-clad hills in Scotland refer to C. vulgaris, Common heath. In addition to its common purple colouring it appears naturally in white, the Victorian "lucky white heather".

Further Reading....
  • Evergreen
    Linear, slightly fleshy leaves lie flat along the stems. Usually dark-green with purplish tints in winter.
  • Ground cover
    These plants are typically low growing and spread quickly to inhibit weed growth on areas of bare soil
    Dense racemes of bell-shaped flowers in shades of red, purple, pink or white.
  • Full sun
  • Additional Features
    Good to know
    Wildlife plant - bees (except 'bud-flowering' selections where the buds remain closed).
    Pests & Diseases
    Fungal diseases. Grey mould, Phytophthora root rot, rhizoctonia in warm, wet conditions.
    Place of origin
    Northern and western Europe to Siberia, Turkey, Morocco and the Azores.
    Resistant to honey fungus
    These plants have little or few problems with honey fungus.
  • Soil Conditions
    Acid / ericaceous loving
    Fertile well drained soil
    Humus rich - open site
  • Wildlife
    Bee friendly

Buy Varieties of HEATHERS Calluna

HEATHERS Calluna vulgaris 'Aphrodite'

HEATHERS Calluna vulgaris 'Aphrodite'

Ling, Scots heather

crimson buds

 
MULTIBUY Any 10+ £4 each
£4.50 each 
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Unavailable -
 AWARD
HEATHERS Calluna vulgaris 'Dark Beauty'

HEATHERS Calluna vulgaris 'Dark Beauty'

Ling, Scots heather

blood red flowers, compact

 
Gift Wrapping available on this plant - UK Delivery Only Gift-wrapping available
MULTIBUY Any 10+ £4 each
£4.50 each 
Gift Wrapping available on this plant
 AWARD
HEATHERS Calluna vulgaris 'Darkness'

HEATHERS Calluna vulgaris 'Darkness'

Ling, Scots heather

deep purplish-pink flowers

 
Gift Wrapping available on this plant - UK Delivery Only Gift-wrapping available
MULTIBUY Any 10+ £4 each
£4.50 each 
Gift Wrapping available on this plant
HEATHERS Calluna vulgaris 'Galaxy'

HEATHERS Calluna vulgaris 'Galaxy'

Ling, Scots heather

yellow-green foliage and white flowers

 
Gift Wrapping available on this plant - UK Delivery Only Gift-wrapping available
MULTIBUY Any 10+ £4 each
£4.50 each 
Gift Wrapping available on this plant
 AWARD
HEATHERS Calluna vulgaris 'Kinlochruel'

HEATHERS Calluna vulgaris 'Kinlochruel'

Ling, Scots heather

double white flowers

 
Gift Wrapping available on this plant - UK Delivery Only Gift-wrapping available
MULTIBUY Any 10+ £4 each
£4.50 each 
Gift Wrapping available on this plant
 AWARD
HEATHERS Calluna vulgaris 'Peter Sparkes'

HEATHERS Calluna vulgaris 'Peter Sparkes'

Ling, Scots heather

lilac flowers

 
Gift Wrapping available on this plant - UK Delivery Only Gift-wrapping available
MULTIBUY Any 10+ £4 each
£4.50 each 
Gift Wrapping available on this plant
HEATHERS Calluna vulgaris 'Red Beauty'

HEATHERS Calluna vulgaris 'Red Beauty'

Ling, Scots heather

double red flowers

 
MULTIBUY Any 10+ £4 each
£4.50 each 
Notify me when this plant is available to order
Available Early Spring 2025 - Spring according to the Met office is defined as March 1st - May 31st. Therefore early spring is early March to mid-April. This is not a guaranteed date but an estimate and subject to availability.
HEATHERS Calluna vulgaris 'Sandy'

HEATHERS Calluna vulgaris 'Sandy'

Ling, Scots heather

golden foliage and white flowers

 
Gift Wrapping available on this plant - UK Delivery Only Gift-wrapping available
MULTIBUY Any 10+ £4 each
£4.50 each 
Gift Wrapping available on this plant
 AWARD
HEATHERS Calluna vulgaris 'Spring Cream'

HEATHERS Calluna vulgaris 'Spring Cream'

Ling, Scots heather

foliage green tipped cream, white flowers

 
MULTIBUY Any 10+ £4 each
£4.50 each 
Notify me when this plant is available to order
Available Early Spring 2025 - Spring according to the Met office is defined as March 1st - May 31st. Therefore early spring is early March to mid-April. This is not a guaranteed date but an estimate and subject to availability.
HEATHERS Calluna vulgaris 'Spring Torch'

HEATHERS Calluna vulgaris 'Spring Torch'

Ling, Scots heather

foliage green tipped orange, mauve flowers

 
MULTIBUY Any 10+ £4 each
£4.50 each 
Notify me when this plant is available to order
Available Early Spring 2025 - Spring according to the Met office is defined as March 1st - May 31st. Therefore early spring is early March to mid-April. This is not a guaranteed date but an estimate and subject to availability.
 AWARD
HEATHERS Calluna vulgaris 'Wickwar Flame'

HEATHERS Calluna vulgaris 'Wickwar Flame'

Ling, Scots heather

gold/red foliage, pink flowers

 
MULTIBUY Any 10+ £4 each
£4.50 each 
Notify me when this plant is available to order
Available Early Spring 2025 - Spring according to the Met office is defined as March 1st - May 31st. Therefore early spring is early March to mid-April. This is not a guaranteed date but an estimate and subject to availability.

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