Heather, also known as Scotch heather and ling, are often used as a background landscape plant.Heather can be difficult to grow, but they will thrive in colder climates and will display a thick mat of green or gray-green foliage when grown properly and maintained.In the fall and winter, heather develops a purple or bronze blush because it blooms in a variety of colors.
Step 1: The soil contains organic matter.
These plants don't do well in clay soil, as wet conditions can lead to stem and root rot.Compost, cow dung, pine bark humus, leaf mold, and sphagnum moss are some of the organic matter that can be used to grow heather.If you have root rot, the stems will start to rot and become soft rotten spots.When Heather plants develop rot, they should be replaced with a new, healthy plant.
Step 2: Make sure the soil has an acidic pH.
Heather thrives in higher pH soil.They will develop chlorosis if they are grown in neutral to alkaline soil.To test the soil, use a soil pH test kit.You can buy the kit at your garden center.To get a good test sample, dig 4 inches into the soil.Touching the soil can change the pH.Before testing the soil, let it dry.The sample should be put into a clean glass container with distilled water and the chemicals in the test kit.When the soil settles to the bottom, shake or stir the mixture vigorously.The test strip can be used to determine the soil pH.
Step 3: The soil should be adjusted if it is 6.0 or lower.
You can add lime, iron sulfate, or organic matter to the soil.Sandy soil will require about 1 14 pounds of lime per 25 square feet to bring the pH up and about 1/3 pound of iron sulfate to adjust it.Before planting the heather, mix the lime or iron sulfate into the top 6 inches of the soil.If the heather has already been planted, gently work the lime or iron sulfate into the top 1 inch of soil, being careful not to disturb the plant's roots.Before planting the heather, a 3- to 6-inch layer of sphagnum moss, well-aged cow manure, pine bark humus, leaf mold or compost should be mixed into the top 8 to 10 inches of soil thoroughly with a tiller.If the heather has already been planted, spread a depth of 2 inches of organic matter around the plant and mix it into the top inch of soil.To keep the area moist, spread sphagnum moss over the soil around the heather.
Step 4: To determine the depth of the soil, use a thin metal rod.
The soil should be checked with a thin metal rod.Push the rod into the soil.Measure the depth of the wet soil by grasping the rod just above the dry dirt.
Step 5: The heather needs two inches of water a week.
In hot weather, you may need to water the plant more.Check the soil frequently to make sure it doesn't dry out when heather is not being watered enough.The soil around the heather needs to be moistened to a depth of 6 inches.The thin metal rod can be used to measure the depth.
Step 6: Don't worry about fertilization of your plant.
If organic matter is mixed into the soil, Heather doesn't need to usefertilizer.Too much fertilization will kill plants.
Step 7: After the flowering ends, Prune the heather.
Cut off the faded flowers with shears.Remove the tips of the taller stems to better shape them.To reduce the chance of diseases like stem or root rot, be sure to rake up all of the trimmings and remove them from the garden.