Calluna

Class

Dicotyledons

Division

Angiospermae

Family

Ericaceae

Order

Ericales

Genus

Calluna

Species

vulgaris

Description

An evergreen herbaceous plant, very similar to heather, about 40 cm tall.

It thrives in the undergrowth and in damp, peaty areas in the lowlands, on hills and in the mountains. It is also known as ‘brugo’, from which the name ‘heathland’ derives in natural and wooded areas.

It differs from heather in its flowering period and the morphology of its flowers. It flowers from August to November, with different colours depending on the variety and its natural habitat; it has small flowers arranged in spikes with a tetramerous calyx (divided into four parts) that covers the corolla. It has very small, scaly leaves, arranged oppositely along the stem.

It forms dense, strikingly coloured clumps. It spreads extensively via its root system, forming veritable carpets.

This plant thrives in full sun, partial shade or the dappled light of the undergrowth. It prefers acidic, moist soils.

It is suitable for creating low flowering groundcover, in rockeries and for formal flowerbeds. It requires no pruning or special maintenance. It also grows well in pots, but requires frequent fertilizing and watering in well-drained, peaty soil.

Curiosities and special features

The name of the genus Calluna derives from the Greek wordkallos, meaning ‘beauty’ or ‘to clean’, ‘to make beautiful’ or ‘to sweep’, in reference to its branches, which were often used in the past to make brooms.

Origin and distribution

A species native to areas including the European mountains, the peat bogs of northern Europe and Siberia; it is also found in North America and Asia Minor.

Leaf

The leaves, which are evergreen and opposite, have a scaly blade with an entire margin.

Leaf colour

A uniform solid green colour.

Plant height

The plant grows to a height of between 0.2 and 0.6 m, making it suitable as a small shrub for flowerbeds or pots.

Lifespan

Evergreen, polyennial Species.

Where to plant

Owing to the size it reaches and its thriving flowering, which continues throughout the autumn, it is recommended for use in flowerbeds, island traffic flowerbeds, borders, gardens and parks, rockeries, pots, planters and green roofs, either on its own or in mixed compositions combining varieties with different flower colours or with other acidophilic species.

Stem

The stem is herbaceous and thornless.

Flower

The flower is simple in shape, small in size, with a bell-shaped corolla and single-coloured petals. It grows in small to medium-sized spike-like inflorescences. It flowers from late summer to late autumn, with a flowering period of between 20 and 30 days.

Growth

It is a small, compactly growing shrub.

Plant habit

The plant typically forms a ground-covering habit, making it perfect for creating dense, compact arrangements.

Branching

Itsprofuse branching results in a dense canopy of foliage, which, during the flowering period, is dotted with numerous terminal spike-like racemes bearing distinctive flowers with coloured calyxes.

PH

Calluna is an acidophilic plant that requires a medium or soil/medium pH ranging from acidic to sub-acidic, with optimal values between 5.0 and 6.5.

Sun exposure

Suitable for locations in light shade or full sun.

It also tolerates shade and the dappled shade beneath trees and shrubs.

Ideal climate and temperature

The ideal temperature is between 0.0 and 30 °C.

Use

Widely cultivated and used as a small acidophilic shrub in:
Outdoor ornamental settings Landscaping Environmental stabilisation plants Plants for environmental remediation

Hardiness

A medium-hardy plant, it withstands the intense winter cold well.

Soil

For optimal growth, it requires acidic, cool, well-drained soil rich in organic matter.

For growing in pots, we recommend using a specialised potting mix for acid-loving plants.

Difficulty

It iseasy to grow and requires little maintenance, making it all the more practical.

Growing tips

Some specific cultivation guidelines for better vegetative growth and full flowering:
Balanced fertilizing Avoid over-watering In hilly areas above 300 m. It can be left in the sun all day. Keep the growing medium dry in cool weather Sun exposure to direct sunlight

Combinations with other plants

It is suitable both on its own, to achieve uniform results, and in composition with other acidophilic species such as Camellia japonica, Enkianthus, Kalmia, Leucothoe, Pieris japonica, Rhododendronjaponicum (azalea) and Rhododendron (rhododendron).

Planting

Plant out in early spring or mid-autumn, spacing the plants at an average density of 4 per square metre.

When planting, ensure the soil is firmly packed around the roots and slightly moist; it is also advisable to perform base fertilizing.

Pruning

It does not require any special pruning; if necessary, prune the plant in spring to achieve the desired size.

Propagation

Vegetative propagation can take place via stolons or root cuttings.

Watering

It does not tolerate prolonged water stress. As it is an acidophilic species, pay attention to the pH of the irrigation water.

It is advisable to use non-calcareous water, preferably rainwater.

Allow the growing medium or soil to dry out slightly between waterings, avoiding waterlogging which can lead to root rot.

Increase the frequency of watering during the hot summer months, whilst reducing it in winter.

Fertilising

Use a fertiliser specifically designed for acid-loving plants, diluting it in the watering can approximately every two weeks during the growing and flowering season, taking care not to apply fertiliser to dry potting compost or soil.

Alternatively, apply a slow-release granular fertiliser specifically designed for acid-loving plants in early spring and autumn.

Edibility for humans

Non-edible

Tip

Its resistance to winter temperatures makes the heather an ideal plant for growing in the ground or in pots indoors during the cold season. Only if the temperature drops below -10 degrees should you move the pot to a more sheltered spot and, particularly with small pots, you should also ensure that the roots do not dry out.