Practical
Plants

Calluna vulgaris

Heather

a perennial woody evergreen member of the Calluna genus in the family Ericaceae.

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Taxonomy and growth

Family
Ericaceae
Genus
Calluna
Life cycle
perennial
Foliage
evergreen
Woodiness
woody
Height
0.6 m
Spread
0.5 m
Fertility
Bees, Flies, Lepidoptera, Wind
Flower type
hermaphrodite
Pollinators
Bees, Flies, Lepidoptera, Wind

Uses

Edible uses

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

A tea is made from the flowering stems[7][9]. A kind of mead was once brewed from the flowers and the young shoots have been used instead of hops to flavour beer[25][9].

Product or use
Condiment
Product or use
Tea

Medicinal uses

Historical medicinal uses. These records describe reported uses. They do not establish safety or effectiveness. Ask a qualified health professional before using any plant medicinally.

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

Heather has a long history of medicinal use in folk medicine. In particular it is a good urinary antiseptic and diuretic, disinfecting the urinary tract and mildly increasing urine production[18]. The flowering shoots are antiseptic, astringent, cholagogue, depurative, diaphoretic, diuretic, expectorant, mildly sedative and vasoconstrictor[25][27][28][16][5][17]. The plant is often macerated and made into a liniment for treating rheumatism and arthritis, whilst a hot poultice is a traditional remedy for chilblains[25][18]. An infusion of the flowering shoots is used in the treatment of coughs, colds, bladder and kidney disorders, cystitis etc[28][17][18]. A cleansing and detoxifying plant, it has been used in the treatment of rheumatism, arthritis and gout[18]. The flowering stems are harvested in the autumn and dried for later use[25]. The plant is used in Bach flower remedies - the keywords for prescribing it are 'Self-centredness' and 'Self-concern'[15]. A homeopathic remedy is made from the fresh branches[28]. It is used in the treatment of rheumatism, arthritis and insomnia[28].

Product or use
Antiseptic
Product or use
Bach
Product or use
Cholagogue
Product or use
Depurative
Product or use
Diaphoretic
Product or use
Diuretic
Product or use
Expectorant
Product or use
Sedative
Product or use
Vasoconstrictor

Material uses

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

The branches have many uses, including in thatching, as a bedding or a stuffing for mattresses, for insulation, basketry, rope making and for making brooms[22][25][2][21][23][24][1][18]. The dried branches are a good fuel[22][24]. The rootstock can be made into musical pipes[18]. A yellow dye is obtained from the plant[25][21][23]. The bark is a source of tannin[21]. Heather can be grown as a low hedge and is quite useful as an edging to beds. It is fairly amenable to trimming[19]. A useful ground cover plant for covering dry banks[11][12]. The cultivar 'White Lawn' has been recommended[11]. All except the very dwarf cultivars will need trimming each spring in order to keep them compact[14].

Product or use
Basketry
Product or use
Besom
Product or use
Dye
Product or use
Fuel
Product or use
Insulation
Product or use
Musical
Product or use
Tannin
Product or use
Thatching

Ecology and functions

Ecosystem niche
Soil surface

Ground cover

Hedge

Environment

Range
Much of Europe, including Britain, to N. W. Morocco. Less abundant in the east of its range..
Habitat
Acid soils in open woodlands, moors and marshy ground[25]. Often the dominant plant on well-drained acid moors and heaths[6].
Light
full sun
Shade tolerance
light shade
Water
moderate
Hardiness
Zone 4+
Soil textures
sandy, loamy
Soil pH
very acid, acid
Tolerances
high wind, maritime exposure
Wind
Yes
Maritime
Yes
Tolerates Nutritionally Poor Soil
No
Drought
intolerant

Propagation

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

Seed - sow as soon as it is ripe or in February in a shaded part of the greenhouse[26][3]. Surface sow or only just cover the seed[3][4]. Cold stratification for 4 - 20 weeks aids germination[4]. The seed usually germinates in 1 - 2 months at 20°c. When large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and grow them on in the greenhouse for at least their first winter, planting them out into their permanent positions in late spring or early summer, after the last expected frosts. Cuttings of half-ripe wood 4 - 5cm with a heel, July/August in a frame. Good percentage[26]. Cuttings of mature wood of the current season's growth, 5 - 7cm with a heel, October/November in a frame. Good percentage[26]. Layering in autumn[26]. Division in spring. Dig up the plant 12 months prior to division and replant it 15 - 30cm deeper in the soil in order to encourage rooting along the stems. When ready to take the divisions, it is just a matter of digging up the plant and cutting off sections of stem with roots on them. These are best potted up and kept in a cold frame or greenhouse until they are well rooted before planting them out in the summer or following spring.

Cultivation

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

Requires a light acid soil and a sunny position[4][8]. Prefers a sunny position but tolerates light shade[10]. Only succeeds if the pH is below 6.5[10]. Prefers a poor peaty soil[2]. Plants are tolerant of fairly dry soils but they dislike prolonged drought[10]. They tolerate wet conditions in the winter[17]. Plants regenerate well from the base after a fire if the heat was not too great, if the fire was slow and intense then new seedlings will quickly become established[10]. Commonly grown in the ornamental garden, there are many named varieties[13][17]. The flowers are rich in nectar and are very attractive to bees, butterflies and moths[25][2][20]. This plant is also an important food source for the caterpillars of many lepidoptera[20].

References

  1. Polunin. O. Flowers of Europe - A Field Guide. Oxford University Press 1969-00-00 ISBN 0192176218

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  2. Bean. W. Trees and Shrubs Hardy in Great Britain. Vol 1 - 4 and Supplement. Murray 1981-00-00

    ↩1↩2↩3

  3. Dirr. M. A. and Heuser. M. W. The Reference Manual of Woody Plant Propagation. Athens Ga. Varsity Press 1987-00-00 ISBN 0942375009

    ↩1↩2

  4. Bird. R. (Editor) Growing from Seed. Volume 3. Thompson and Morgan. 1989-00-00

    ↩1↩2↩3

  5. Mills. S. Y. The Dictionary of Modern Herbalism.

    ↩

  6. Clapham, Tootin and Warburg. Flora of the British Isles. Cambridge University Press 1962-00-00

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  7. Kunkel. G. Plants for Human Consumption. Koeltz Scientific Books 1984-00-00 ISBN 3874292169

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  8. Thomas. G. S. Ornamental Shrubs, Climbers and Bamboos. Murray 1992-00-00 ISBN 0-7195-5043-2

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  9. Facciola. S. Cornucopia - A Source Book of Edible Plants. Kampong Publications 1990-00-00 ISBN 0-9628087-0-9

    ↩1↩2

  10. Beckett. G. and K. Planting Native Trees and Shrubs. Jarrold 1979-00-00

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4

  11. Brickell. C. The RHS Gardener's Encyclopedia of Plants and Flowers Dorling Kindersley Publishers Ltd. 1990-00-00 ISBN 0-86318-386-7

    ↩1↩2

  12. Royal Horticultural Society. Ground Cover Plants. Cassells. 1989-00-00 ISBN 0-304-31089-1

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  13. Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press 1992-00-00 ISBN 0-333-47494-5

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  14. Thomas. G. S. Plants for Ground Cover J. M. Dent & Sons 1990-00-00 ISBN 0-460-12609-1

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  15. Chancellor. P. M. Handbook of the Bach Flower Remedies C. W. Daniel Co. Ltd. 1985-00-00 ISBN 85207 002 0

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  16. Lust. J. The Herb Book. Bantam books 1983-00-00 ISBN 0-553-23827-2

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  17. Bown. D. Encyclopaedia of Herbs and their Uses. Dorling Kindersley, London. 1995-00-00 ISBN 0-7513-020-31

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4

  18. Chevallier. A. The Encyclopedia of Medicinal Plants Dorling Kindersley. London 1996-00-00 ISBN 9-780751-303148

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4↩5↩6

  19. Shepherd. F.W. Hedges and Screens. Royal Horticultural Society. 1974-00-00 ISBN 0900629649

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  20. Carter D. Butterflies and Moths in Britain and Europe. Pan 1982-00-00 ISBN 0-330-26642-x

    ↩1↩2

  21. Uphof. J. C. Th. Dictionary of Economic Plants. Weinheim 1959-00-00

    ↩1↩2↩3

  22. Mabey. R. Plants with a Purpose. Fontana 1979-00-00 ISBN 0-00-635555-2

    ↩1↩2

  23. Usher. G. A Dictionary of Plants Used by Man. Constable 1974-00-00 ISBN 0094579202

    ↩1↩2

  24. Freethy. R. From Agar to Zenery. The Crowood Press 1985-00-00 ISBN 0-946284-51-2

    ↩1↩2

  25. Chiej. R. Encyclopaedia of Medicinal Plants. MacDonald 1984-00-00 ISBN 0-356-10541-5

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4↩5↩6↩7↩8

  26. Sheat. W. G. Propagation of Trees, Shrubs and Conifers. MacMillan and Co 1948-00-00

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4

  27. Ceres. Free for All. Thorsons Publishers 1977-00-00 ISBN 0-7225-0445-4

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  28. Launert. E. Edible and Medicinal Plants. Hamlyn 1981-00-00 ISBN 0-600-37216-2

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4

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