Growing Heaths and Heathers

CULTURE: Grow Heaths and Heathers in full sun (at least 6 hours of direct sun).  Soil should be well-drained and somewhat acidic.  Add about an inch of peat moss as a top-dressing each spring—no further fertilizing needed. Heaths and Heathers do not do well in hot, humid areas; they are natives of the cool, open moors of northern Europe for the most part.

WINTER PROTECTION: In colder areas, cover plants with pine or other evergreen boughs for winter protection, or spray with anti-desiccant.

GROWTH: Heaths and Heathers are slow growers; their progress is usually measured in inches per year, depending on the kind of growing season and the culture; they usually take 2–3 years to get to mature size and to bloom.