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Heather
Heather, also known as the Scotch heather,
ling, common heather, or spring torch, is a type
of shrub. Its scientific name is Calluna vulgaris,
and it is the only species belonging to the genus
calluna. Heather can be found throughout Europe
and Anatolia, where it is the dominant species
of plant in most moors and heathlands. It can
be found on acidic soil and in either moderate
shade or open sunlight.
A low-growing shrub, heather shrubs typically
measure about eight to 20 inches in height. In
rare cases, a heather shrub may grow to be 40
inches tall or taller. Heather flowers are small
and campanulate, or bell-shaped, and grow in opposite,
decussate pairs on racemes. In the wild, the flowers
are typically purple or mauve in color, though
there are a number of heather cultivars in colors
ranging from white, pinks, purples, and reds.
Heather is a perennial, and therefore lives for
more than two years and blooms annually without
being replanted. Heather flowers typically bloom
between late July and November in the Northern
Hemisphere. The flowers remain on the shrubs during
the winter, although they may turn brown, sometimes
yielding an interesting visual effect.
Heather serves as a food source to grazing animals,
especially during winter months when snow covers
other, lower-growing plants. Some insects and
birds also feed on parts of the shrubs. Heather
has also been useful to humans; it was historically
used to tan leather and dye wool, and heather
was used to brew beer before hops came into use.
Heather has been long associated with Scotland,
and not without reason; the shrub is a very common
sight throughout the country. References to heather
connecting it to Scotland can be seen in many
poems and books, such as Robert Louis Stevenson's
novel, Kidnapped.
In some areas of New Zealand, to which the shrub
has been introduced, heather has become an invasive
weed. This issue has been addressed experimentally
with heather beetles, an effort that has succeeded
so far. Heather can tolerate grazing and even
regenerate after some burning, but grazing and
mild burning are also in use as means of managing
the heather in various areas.
About the Author:
Maddison Hendrix is a long time gardner and shares
her knowledge in educational articles at Perennial
Gardens http://www.perennial-gardens.com
and Butterfly Gardens http://www.butterfly-gardens.com
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