Heather

Heather is a herbaceous and evergreen plant, which in fact is the only official representative of the heather family. Today, breeders have bred about five hundred varieties of this plant. And most of these varieties have incredibly attractive decorative properties and characteristics.

In natural, wild conditions, heather can be found in Europe and North Africa, as well as in Greenland, the temperate latitudes of Asia and the Azores. In general, it reproduces and grows well in the Atlantic, in North America. At the same time, the plant best of all reveals its decorative characteristics in peat bogs, in mountains and forests. So this aspect can also be taken into account in the case when the florist has decided to grow this plant on the site, and is looking for the perfect place for this.

Heather: a description of the culture

Heather is a very attractive plant. It has excellent decorative external characteristics, is distinguished by its unpretentiousness, attractive aroma, and endurance. The charming appearance also makes this plant highly sought after.

Sometimes heather can grow very much, and due to this, he received another name that is widespread among the people - heather wasteland. In this article, we will talk in more detail about what features and characteristics heather has, as well as how to properly grow a plant, take care of it so that it turns out to be incredibly attractive and interesting.

The article is really very interesting for both inexperienced flower growers and those who have already dealt with the planting of ornamental crops, but would like to continue to further grow all new types of plants on their personal plot.

Heather is a plant belonging to a highly branching group of plantings. It is an evergreen and compact bush, the height of which ranges from thirty to seventy centimeters.

The leaf plates on it are very small, triangular, more reminiscent of a rolled tube in their appearance. The flowers are not very large, fragrant, outwardly they can resemble a bell in shape, they are painted in lilac-pink, a very delicate and attractive shade that looks great against the background of greenery.

Flowering begins around the second half of summer, but still the plant gains its decorative strength and power only after the onset of the first frost. This is due precisely to the fact that the leafy part of the plant is painted either in a burgundy or golden-yellow hue, which, of course, looks incredibly attractive.

The plant also belongs to the melliferous type, while heather honey is honey, which includes a huge amount of useful and nutrients, and is generally considered the most useful substance that is only produced today, hence its popularity.

Heather is actively used by landscape designers, since thanks to it you can decorate a variety of alpine slides, plant heather along garden paths. You can also use heather as a great addition to creating lively curbs that look pretty impressive against some other plantings.

To a particular extent, heather looks great in the same composition with coniferous plantings, so you should pay attention to this fact and never forget about the positive qualities of such a neighborhood.

Heather - growing a plant

Growing heather with seeds is a popular question.In general, in order for this process to end with success, the florist should stock up on as much patience as possible. Since, in general, the process of planting seed and waiting for results is a very long and difficult process, and it has both its disadvantages and advantages.

But still, there is great news for those who have decided to grow heather using seeds - the germination rate is about 90% if the grower observes all agrotechnical rules and conditions.

Heather landing

The planting container is filled with nutritious soil, which, moreover, must be well moistened. Seed material is evenly distributed over its surface, while it is best to carefully scatter it, there is no need to bury it. The container is covered from above with glass or polyethylene, periodically ventilated and waiting for the first shoots.

It is best to use a specially prepared substrate for sowing. It includes components such as coniferous soil and sand, peat, which are taken in equal proportions. Crops are left in a very warm room, the temperature in it should be about twenty degrees.

Moreover, in the very first days, namely in the first week, the crops should be located in very high humidity, since they should be able to develop and germinate perfectly. The first shoots appear about a month after the seeds have been sent to the substrate.

After the seedlings have appeared and began to form, it is worth hardening them. For this, the cover is periodically removed from the containers so that the plants begin to adapt to natural conditions, which are not always favorable enough.

After the seedlings grow too much, it is worth making a dive, leaving only the strongest and most viable materials. They are seated in separate containers - pots or containers, where they continue to grow and gradually take root. Of course, during this period, the seedlings should be carefully looked after, because the way the future plantings of heather will feel depends on these activities.

In the summer, it is recommended to transfer the seedlings to the garden or leave them in a semi-dark place. At the same time, it is also worth periodically adding moisture, since watering was and remains a very important part in caring and agrotechnical measures. When a very cold temperature is established outside, the seedlings will be transferred to a cooler room, where the temperature varies from 10 to 12 degrees.

Thus, the heather will find itself in the most favorable conditions for itself, this will allow it to adapt as quickly as possible and demonstrate exactly the results of growth and development that this plant should have.

It is recommended to plant heather in its permanent place of growth only when the seedlings reach two years of age, not earlier. Gardeners and florists should keep in mind that heather, which originally grew from seed, cannot retain absolutely all the characteristics and characteristics of the mother plant.

But if the grower makes every effort and makes enough effort, then he can bring out a completely new variety that has its own unique features, so, of course, this aspect should be taken into account and not be upset if the plant turns out to be completely different from what it could be. based on the traits and characteristics of the mother heather shrubs.

Disembarkation plants in open ground - the most important stage. In general, if you listen to the advice of experienced flower growers, you can understand that the best time for planting is spring. For example, you can plan a transplant for the second half of April or for the very first days of May.

Of course, heather can be planted in the fall, but it is best to do this from the end of September to the very first days of October, not earlier, but not later, otherwise the plant simply will not have time to adapt and take root to the first frosts.

Choosing a landing site

For disembarkation, it is recommended to take care of choosing a suitable site. It should be a very well-lit place, but the plant also thrives in partial shade. There it will not lose its decorative effect. Again, though, you shouldn't place the plant in permanent shade, as it will grow much more slowly in such an environment. And as a result, it can completely abandon development, so there is no talk about the decorativeness of these plants.

It is best to choose wet peaty areas. But heather takes root well on dry sandy soils. In no case should heather be planted in calcareous soils, since in them it will lose its decorative effect, and there is also a high risk of developing various diseases and infections.

It is not at all scary if the soil is insufficiently nutritious, and there are few minerals and trace elements in it, but the acidity level should be at the level of 4.5 to 5.5. Heather grows well in soil, which contains substances such as sand and peat, compost, which are usually taken in different, unequal proportions.

It all depends on the area in which the heather will grow, and how nutritious and beneficial the soil is for this plant. The site should also be protected from gusts of wind and drafts, since few plantings may like these conditions.

In order to make the soil sour, it is worth adding red high-moor peat to it, which is not so common. Therefore, you will have to purchase it in a specialized store for gardeners. But the effect will not be long in coming, and the soil will be completely ready to accept the new heather shrub.

How to plant heather

How to plant is the next question, because the subtleties of the procedure and its rules are of concern to many flower growers and gardeners, especially those who do not yet have such experience.

Depending on which variety the heather seedling belongs to, six to ten seedlings can be planted on an area of ​​one square meter. The bush is deepened by about thirty centimeters, the root collar should not go too deep, but it should not rise above the ground either - you can leave it at the same level with the surface of the earth.

If the gardener is dealing with loam, then a drainage layer should be installed in the planting hole so that excess moisture leaves and does not stagnate in the area of ​​the root system. The drainage layer is made of sand and expanded clay, pebbles or crushed stone, and you can also simply crush a brick for these purposes, which is also suitable for drainage. The height of the drainage layer should be between 5 and 10 centimeters.

Very little horny flour and nitrophoska are also poured into each hole, since these substances help protect the plant from attacks from bacteria and pests.

When the heather is planted in open ground, it must be watered very abundantly, using for this five to six liters of water, which is applied under each bush.

It is worth remembering that the plant can not tolerate transplanting in the best way, so you should immediately choose the most optimal place for it, so that then the heather will grow in this area for a sufficiently long time, and so that when the weather or other circumstances change, it does not have to be transplanted. ...

After transplanting, the bush can stretch out and lose its decorative features and characteristics, and this, of course, has an extremely negative effect on its general condition. So, nevertheless, when choosing a place, the gardener should have more vigilance and attention, then there is a high probability of preserving the plant and improving its decorative properties, no matter what.

Heather care

Heather does not have the most elongated root system.Therefore, it should be regularly moistened, if there are no weather conditions that imply quite natural precipitation. For glaze it is best to use slightly acidic water, as it works best for the general condition of the heather.

It should also be borne in mind that the topsoil in the area where heather grows should always be very slightly moistened; it should not be allowed to dry out or dry out. In this regard, in order to facilitate your own gardening activities, it is recommended to cover the soil surface with mulch. Also on hot days, mulch will protect the topsoil from excessive overheating and from attacks from pests and insects. As mulch you can take sawdust or straw, peat or compost.

Watering heather is carried out once every 1-2 weeks, everything will depend solely on the temperature level and on the corresponding weather conditions. After watering, the soil must be ripped, usually loosening is done to a depth of ten to fifteen centimeters. All weeds are also removed, because it is very harmful to plantings.

Loosening of the soil and its weeding is carried out through the mulch, while the mulching layer should not be removed and then returned back. During very hot periods, in heat and drought, the plant can suffer very much from the dry air, and therefore every evening after sunset it should be moistened with a spray to maintain its general normal condition.

You should also not forget about feeding, especially the annual one, which is appointed for the spring time. All the necessary mineral components and trace elements are added to the soil. It is also worth considering the dosage - for one bush, the gardener will need from one and a half to two large spoons of fertilizer.

If the top dressing is applied dry, then it is simply gently scattered over the very surface of the site. But it is necessary to be vigilant and try to ensure that feeding in no case falls on the deciduous part or on the flowers of the plant themselves.

If suddenly this happens, then the fertilizer can provoke a burn, and it, in turn, will hit too hard not only on the decorative qualities of the plant, but in general will greatly weaken its overall health.

Also, minerals and fertilizers can be embedded in mulch, and the soil is well moistened with acidified water. annually, in springtime, the plant should be pruned to form a beautiful and healthy shrub.

Also thanks to pruning you can remove old and non-viable branches and stimulate the growth of new shoots, due to which the plant becomes lush and attractive. If the gardener has decided to carry out intensive pruning, then it can be prescribed only when two to three years have passed after the heather is planted in open ground.

It is also worth trying so that the shape of the crown does not change much and remains almost exactly the same. An inexperienced gardener should do the first pruning under the supervision of the gardener who has already pruned the plant several times and knows how, when and why it can be done, so as not to harm the heather in any way.

Diseases and pests

In general, heather is the very plant that is quite resistant to various diseases and attacks from pests. But still, sometimes, if you do not follow the rules of agricultural technology, this can lead to the fact that heather is affected by fungal or viral diseases.

Usually this gray rot, since it is she who is most often found. The disease can develop for some reason:

• very poor soil permeability,
• lack of ventilation, due to which the liquid stagnates close to the root system, and it turns out that the roots begin to rot very quickly.

When the heather becomes infected, the characteristic bloom begins to appear on the stems. After that, the leaves gradually die off.The shoots themselves become thinner, become weak, which also leads to their subsequent death.

In order to fight gray rot, it is necessary to treat the plant with fungicidal preparations. It is best to use already proven products, such as Topaz or Fundazol. If the bush is too badly affected, then it is also necessary to treat it with copper sulfate or another copper-containing agent.

Treatments are carried out approximately three times. Between them, a break of five to ten days should be observed, no more. Also, then the plant should be processed, but for the purpose of prevention. For this, fungicidal agents are also used, and treatments begin immediately after the shelter is removed from the bush.

Heather is also sprayed in the autumn, when the plant is actively being prepared for winter. In general, you just need to carefully examine the plant, maintain its development at a suitable level. And also monitor the general condition of the deciduous part and regulate watering. In this case, there is a high probability that the plant will feel comfortable, which means its immunity and stress resistance will be at the highest level.

If it happened that the bush was infected powdery mildew, the youngest shoots will begin to wilt very quickly and acquire an extremely painful appearance. A white bloom will begin to appear on the leaves, which will be very characteristic and rather loose.

If spots of brown or reddish-brick color appear on the leaves, then this will indicate that the heather has become infected with a slightly different disease, which is called rust... In fact, both diseases are triggered by a fungus, and therefore you can also fight them with the help of some fungicidal agents. The main thing is to follow the instructions for use so as not to cause even more damage to the plant.

If suddenly a heather bush was struck virus, then the flowers and stems will begin to deform and curl very actively. The color of the inflorescences and leaves themselves will be very uneven, painful, atypical for a heather plant.

It should be borne in mind right away that viruses are almost impossible to cure. So there is only one way out - the infected plant is dug up and destroyed so that the viral disease in no case spreads to those bushes that are still healthy and functioning normally.

The area where the infected heather grew must be decontaminated. For this, a very strong solution of potassium permanganate is usually taken. Since it is manganese that is a universal disinfectant in modern horticulture.

If the plant is in comfortable conditions for itself, the soil in which it grows completely satisfies it with its composition, then it is unlikely that the heather has a chance to get sick. One way or another, you should be very careful about the plant, monitor its general condition and not let it hurt too much or run some fungi. At a stage that is too advanced, there is a high risk that the plant will no longer be impossible to save.

Heather: breeding

Heather Allegro: Photo of the variety

We have already talked about how a plant can be propagated by seeds. Now it is worth dwelling a little more on the reproduction of heather with the help of layering, as well as by dividing the bushes or by cuttings.

At the very end of summer, it is necessary to carefully cut off the apical cuttings, and only the strongest and most flowering branches should be taken, since they are considered the most viable for further propagation of bushes and for maintaining parental traits and characteristics.

In order for them to take root, they need to be placed in containers that are filled with mixtures of sand and peat, and then the containers are placed in a cool place.In this case, the soil should be constantly slightly moistened, but do not allow water to accumulate in the root part or in the pan under the pot, as this can provoke the development of rot and various bacteria and fungal diseases.

Once every one and a half or two months, the cuttings should be fed; a urea-based solution, or a purchased fertilizer consisting of all the necessary trace elements, is ideal for this. In the spring, the plant takes root, and it can be transplanted into open ground, while observing all the rules of agricultural technology.

Most often, if we talk about layering, then heather can reproduce by them and independently. Over time, old branches themselves fall into the soil, give roots, and this becomes a full-fledged planting material for the propagation of heather of one or another variety.

In order to get a strong and viable cut, it is necessary to bend the mature stem, which is located at the very base of the bush, and fix it on the surface of the ground. After that, it should be sprinkled with a small layer of peat soil, its thickness should be no more than ten millimeters.

After one year, the cuttings are separated from the main bush and planted in their permanent place of growth, where they feel quite comfortable and simple. The most important thing, again, is compliance with all agrotechnical requirements, otherwise the plant will simply not react normally to such manipulations, it will demonstrate very weak growth and the same weak development. As a result, reproduction may not be successful, and planting materials will be lost.

The easiest way to propagate heather bushes is by division their rhizomes. This procedure is usually best done around the very end of the summer season. To do this, a mature bush is carefully removed from the ground; it is best not to remove the soil from the roots in order to preserve the integrity of the root system and the earthy coma.

Next, the root part is cut into several equal parts - delenki. Each delenka should not only have its own roots, but also young growth should be located. Before the cut is planted in open ground, the old stems should be removed, since new shoots will have to appear in their place, which will just be decorative and very attractive.

Delenki are immediately planted in a permanent place, in different pits, and there should be an impressive distance between them so that the bushes feel as comfortable as possible. Places of cuts should be treated with crushed coal so that no bacteria or microbes penetrate into them. In fact, delenki are considered one of the most effective ways of plant propagation, because in this way all the maternal characteristics of shrubs can be preserved.

Preparing for winter

If heather grows in a warm climate, then it tolerates the winter season perfectly, and you don't even need to cover it with additional materials. But if suddenly heather grows in areas where the climatic conditions are very harsh, then the heather must be prepared in advance for winter.

With the onset of frost, the surface of the site should be sprinkled with a small layer of peat soil, and then the heather bush itself is covered with spruce branches. Lapnik is a versatile material that perfectly protects the plant from both severe frosts and burns that can be caused by the sun.

In particular, spruce branches protect from the sun in the spring, when the weather has not yet had time to finally be normalized, and sharp temperature changes may occur, which do not always have a favorable effect on the general state of plantings.

The shelter can be removed already in April, as this month the weather conditions become much better and more favorable for these plantings.

Heather flower - species and varieties

Of course, we should talk about the features and types, varieties of heather. Let's start with a description of heather ordinary - in fact, this is the only species in this genus.Most often, Erica can also be called heather, but she is only in a close relationship with the plant, but is not included in the species itself. However, both heather and erika are plants that have different characteristics and characteristics, which should always be kept in mind.

Heather has a very large number of the most diverse varieties, today there are about half of a thousand, but it is possible that there are even more, they are simply not yet known or not fully studied. Gardeners divide all available varieties into several different groups, each group has its own characteristics and properties, due to which they can be distinguished from each other and not be confused with each other.

First group

Heather varieties that have the green color of the deciduous part of the plant. Among them there are several varieties that are especially popular and in demand among gardeners and florists. We will consider the following varieties:

• Allegro

The height of the bush reaches 60 centimeters, the bush itself is evergreen, very attractive. The crown of the bush reaches about half a meter in diameter. The crown can be quite compact and very dense, the bark turns out to be a dark brown shade, leaf blades are in the shape of a bowl. They have a dark, deep and very juicy green color, so the leaves look really very attractive.

Flowering usually begins in the very last days of July, and it lasts almost until the end of October. Blooming is carried out due to red, almost ceramic flowers, which at the same time look like ordinary glossy inflorescences. Moreover, they are quite long, which also decorates the plant.

The plant itself is very winter-hardy. But if the bushes are still very young, then it is still recommended to cover them for the winter period, since they can be exposed to low temperatures and freeze.

• Carmen

The variety belongs to hybrid, was bred by Dutch breeders. At the same time, it is very popular, especially in European countries, as it is in demand for landscaping and excellent flower beds and personal plots, park areas and crowded places.

Heather Carmen: Photo of the variety

The bush reaches a height of thirty to forty centimeters, its crown has a regular rounded shape, the leaves are very small, dark green in color. The bark is dark, brown, the flowers, when opened, have a pink or purple color - it all depends on the conditions in which this variety of heather grows, and how the gardener himself takes care of the plant.

Flowers can be collected in abundant peduncles, which are up to ten centimeters long. And which, in the flowering version, look quite decorative and attractive. The variety is distinguished by a high level of frost resistance, so you can not cover it at all for the winter, as it perfectly tolerates too much temperature drops or drops in temperature.

In addition to the varieties we have designated, there are several more that are also popular today among gardeners and florists, landscape designers. These are varieties like Randor and Duckness, Ross Hutton and Mazurka, Marco and Barnett Enley, Hookstone... They can be purchased at specialized shops for gardeners and florists. But at the same time, it is necessary to carefully read the instructions for growing these varieties, since the gardener must quite soberly assess his strength and capabilities in caring for the plant.

If you do not provide the necessary measures and do not follow agricultural techniques, then there is a great risk that the plant will not only not reveal its decorative possibilities, but will generally lose them. So it is worth paying close attention to literally every little thing, especially when it comes to ornamental shrubs and plants.

Second group

These are varieties that give white flowers when blooming, and their leaf plates are painted in a deep or bright green color.

• Alba

This is an erect bush, the height of which reaches forty centimeters, but there are shrubs of the same variety, which are much lower in height. At the same time, the crown itself in diameter can reach more than half a meter.

Heather Alba: Photo of the variety

Ascending branches, very rich green leaf plates are located on them. The flowers are white, collected in lush and very dense inflorescences, which are shaped like brushes. In this case, it should be borne in mind that this variety is quite attractive and very decorative, so you should pay attention to all the features of planting and caring for it.

• Alexandra

The bushes have a neat, very interesting spherical shape. The height of one bush usually reaches thirty centimeters, while the crown always turns out to be a little larger - at least half a meter in diameter.

The leaf blades are colored in a dark deep green shade, the flowers are pale and creamy, but there is one peculiarity: when the flowering gradually comes to an end, the flowers can very slowly turn into a dark red shade.

This feature of chameleon flowers attracts many designers and gardeners, as it seems as if not one heather variety grows on the site, but two. Of course, this is an excellent option for planting in different conditions, since the plant is not only very decorative, it is also completely unpretentious.

Therefore, it is often chosen to decorate gardens, plots, flower beds, landscape ideas, parks and places where a large number of people accumulate.

Some varieties from the same second group of heather plants are also popular - White Lone, Humpty Dumpty, Long White, Alec Martin and Alba Jay... They all have their own characteristics, some rather specific features, but at the same time they are considered incredibly attractive in their group, and therefore they are so often snapped up by many gardeners, florists and designers.

The third group of heather

Cultivars, whose deciduous part is colored in silver, is a very unusual shade.

• Silver Knight

It was bred by English breeders, but due to a large number of very positive features and characteristics, this variety soon became very popular in other states.

Heather Silver Knight: Photo of the variety

The height of the bush reaches about thirty centimeters. And his crown is very compact, has the shape of a pillow - usually it is about 45 centimeters in diameter, no more.

The bark turns out to be a dark, brown hue, but the leaf plates have an atypical silver color. They also show a slight pubescence, which also indicates the decorativeness of this plant.

With the onset of the winter period, the leaves gradually turn purple, becoming almost a dark burgundy hue. The flowers are simple, have a pale lilac color and are collected in inflorescences. Moreover, they usually do not represent any decorative value, which cannot be said about the deciduous part.

In general, Silver Knight varieties are heather bushes that are quite resistant to various temperature extremes and frost. But for the winter, it is best to cover them additionally. Since if the winter turned out to be frosty and practically snowless, then this can lead to the fact that the plant will freeze and die.

• Peter Sparks

The variety was also bred by English breeders. In general, this group is easy to recognize not only by the color of the deciduous part, but also by the country in which most of its varieties were bred.

Heather Peter Sparks: Variety Photo

The height of the bush reaches half a meter, the diameter of the oval-shaped crown is about 60 centimeters, no more. The bark is dark brown, the leaves are very small, more like scales.

In the summer and autumn period, it is green in color, but in the winter-spring period, the leaves are painted in a grayish-silver color.You can also make out light green shades, but again - this is only a feature of the variety and should be borne in mind.

The flowers are pink when blooming, slightly frizzy, are part of attractive inflorescences, whose diameter is no more than three centimeters.

The variety is characterized by moderate frost resistance. However, sometimes it should be covered for the winter. Otherwise, the plant can not always react calmly to too strong frosts. Several more popular varieties can be distinguished from the same group, among which Annmarie, Velvet Fashion, Ian Decker and many others.

Fourth group of heather

These are varieties that have foliage colored in a golden hue. There are also several varieties that stand out here, which in fact have a huge number of their own special features and benefits. We will take a closer look at such heather varieties as:

• Andrew Proudley

The height of the bush is only 15 centimeters, it is considered dwarf. The size of its crown, of course, can amaze the imagination, because the crown grows up to 25 centimeters, but there are also more impressive sizes. The branches are wide, ascending, rather thin and fragile, but they still look very attractive and decorative.

Heather Andrew Proudley: Variety Photo

In the warm season, the foliage is painted in a bright orange hue, and its tips are light and yellow, this appearance cannot but attract gardeners or guests of the site. In winter, the foliage is painted in a bronze shade, and it looks just fine as well.

The flowers are small, pink, the inflorescences are not at all dense, but in general, experienced flower growers and gardeners say that the inflorescences are not particularly attractive, since the main highlight of this plant is its atypically colored green part

• Boskup

The variety was developed by Dutch breeders but quickly gained popularity in other countries. The height of the bush is forty centimeters, the crown is compact, no more than half a meter in diameter. The bark is dark brown in color, in the summer the leaves are greenish and greenish in color, but with the onset of autumn everything changes: the cover becomes reddish, copper, very bright.

Veresk Boskup: Photo of the variety

At the same time, in fact, the plant reveals its decorative features and characteristics. The flowers are very simple, painted in a lilac or pink hue, inflorescences are low-branched, almost inconspicuous. In length, they barely reach ten centimeters.

The peculiarity of the variety is that the bushes have moderate frost resistance, due to which they can be planted in absolutely any place, even in those areas where, in principle, the climate is quite unstable. But still, the plant will require additional care and supervision, so this point should be borne in mind.

Fifth group of heather

These are varieties that have double flowers in the inflorescences. These are varieties like Autumn Glow and Monica.

• Autumn glove

A bush that is no more than thirty centimeters high. The crown is usually about 45 centimeters in diameter and looks very good, especially if it is periodically pruned. The ends of the twigs are slightly raised; dark juicy green leaves are located on them. But the flowers are pale, but thick and double.

Inflorescences are in the form of brushes, rather dense, but short. One way or another, in combination, these signs look really just great. And the plant itself is also quite attractive and decorative.

• Monica

The shrub turns out to be wide and rather spreading. Its height is about 55 centimeters, and the crown diameter is striking - almost 85 centimeters. The branches are very strong, withstand any cuttings and interference from the grower.

Heather Monica: Photo of the variety

The leaf plates are colored dark green; in winter, a slightly grayish bloom can form on them.The flowers are reddish or pinkish, double and rather large, collected in inflorescences, but can be scattered one by one directly over the bush, which also looks quite amusing.

There are also several varieties in this group, which we will also mention - these are Red Favorite, Dark Star, Alba Captivity and Joan Sparks... They also have double flowers, but the shape and extent of their bushes are different. So the florist has yet to get acquainted with this information in order to get excellent plantings and skillfully care for them.

Sixth group

These are varieties in which the flowers do not open. This may seem like something strange, but such varieties do exist, and we will consider them just now.

• David Eason

The bush is spherical, its height is about twenty centimeters, the crown in diameter is no more than 25 centimeters. Ascending branches, grow in large numbers. The leaf plates are painted in a dark green hue, they look very interesting and fresh.

Heather David Eason: Variety Photo

The flowers are dark, purple or pinkish, the brushes are short, the flowers are collected in them, but they never fully open, which is the peculiarity of the variety of this group.

• Marlin

The variety was bred by German breeders, the bush usually grows in height up to thirty centimeters, the diameter of the crown is about half a meter. The bark is dark brown in color, the leaf plates are very small when compared with the previous variety considered.

The buds are pinkish or lilac, sometimes deep purple, but they never open, and this is their specificity. But even in an undisclosed form, they still look very interesting and attractive.

Also among the varieties of this group, such as Romina and Minima, Fritz Kircher and some other varieties. Their buds also do not open, but this does not prevent them from decorating their personal plots, making them incredibly attractive and unusual.

Conclusion

At the end of the article, I would like to talk a little about what properties heather has, and why it is so popular and in demand.

First, it is, of course, medicinal properties that can be used in both folk and traditional medicine. Heather is excellent for coughs or diseases of the renal system, with cystitis or urethritis. It also has a good effect on the gastrointestinal tract, and is also used to treat rheumatism and gout.

At the same time, heather has a good effect on the condition of the skin, and therefore it is used by some people for its diseases. It is worth starting to harvest heather in the last days of June and before September. Indeed, it is at this time that the largest amount of useful and nutritious, medicinal substances is concentrated in the plant.

Thanks to them, heather becomes a disinfectant, antiseptic and antibacterial plant, which also heals wounds and injuries perfectly. In addition, heather is used for general detox and detoxification of the body of harmful substances.

Broths can be used as sedatives. They fight insomnia, nervous system disorders, and atherosclerosis of the vascular system.

For sore throat, ear heather solution is used to rinse or treat the affected area.

If the solution is prepared on the basis of flowers, then it can be rubbed directly into the head, as this will prevent hair loss, and in general, the hair will look healthy and stronger.

Heather can be used by both adults and children, but it is still worth consulting a doctor who has experience in this matter and who can warn against unwanted reactions before using it.

As we can see, this plant is very versatile and completely unpretentious. So you can grow it on your site both in order to decorate it and in order to get some benefit from it.