The character of the garden at the back of the house changes once more. Your tips will be helpful. With more than 450 kinds of lavender to choose from, it can be overwhelming to pick the best ones for your garden. In between the two, set on the crest of the rolling Nova Scotian hillside, sits a navy-blue house. Guide to Heather Plants. The darker the calyx, the most stu… Width: Around 3 feet. Then you have the colors in between such as the whites, pinks, indigos, yellow and even red. Height: Between 2 to 3 feet. Description: The plant is an evergreen shrub of the Ericaceae family. X Research source If you don’t want heather to intrude on other plants, you can cut into woody parts of the plant to prevent it from growing in that direction. Lavender heather also meant solitude or a drearier symbol, loneliness. I especially love all of the lavender.Have a wonderful weekend! I'm trying to introduce it to our garden, but this winter has been exceptionally harsh... Well, at least Calluna vulgaris grows here (Eastern Finland) very well. Lovely post! Amazingly in a matter of minutes, we shift from being complete strangers to three people with something in common. A rose-pink variety of lavender with frothy flower spikes, it is often planted in gardens and flowerbeds along with roses and peonies. Water the area around the plants you want to separate. 2 or 3 and mix in some horticultural grit, for drainage. As we walk, we pass a more informal perennial flowerbed where everything is growing marvellously out-of-control. I love the whimsy of their slightly wonky shapes. Jennifer, you made my day! I can always find the unexpected on your blog! My favorite for the garden is Pink Cascade, hardy to zone 5. I have never seen a photo of Tamarix on a garden blog before. In the near distance the sea shimmers in the August sun like a mirage. Vera Lavender or Lavender Vera is thought to be the true English Lavender. I really want to reduce the amount of lawn that I have to maintain - this looks so perfect!! Cuphea hyssopifolia, the false heather, Mexican heather, Hawaiian heather or elfin herb, is a small evergreen shrub native to Mexico, Guatemala and Honduras. If you enter just a plant name, you will see results from the old RHS Plant Finder and Selector databases; If you select any attributes with or without a plant name, you will see a much narrower selection of results taken only from the old RHS Plant Selector database. Today temporary sheds are often built in a similar way and roofed with heather. Soft billowy clouds of lavender and heather together–what a striking combination! Love your blog! Powered by, A Fragrant Fall Beauty for Part-Shade/Shade, video about stone carver Heather Lawson here. The plant has also been used for bedding. :)Enjoy your weekend! Foliage texture and color are key elements. They both spread out considerably and, if left alone, can end up growing together. Dig up the plants. When planting lavender in pots, choose terracotta pots with drainage holes. Debra J. Rigas, a professional writing coach, has been a writer and editor since 1975. It is especially popular in Scotland. You made me think again about Heather: we have acid soil and moisture, but no heather! Washington State University; Clark County Extension; Corbett's Red Scotch Heather, Plants for a Future: Lavandula angustifolia. Lavandula (common name lavender) is a genus of 47 known species of flowering plants in the mint family, Lamiaceae.It is native to the Old World and is found in Cape Verde and the Canary Islands, and from Europe across to northern and eastern Africa, the Mediterranean, southwest Asia to southeast India.. What a gorgeous garden, Jennifer, and your photos are wonderful. Besides the lovely gardens, I also love the rich blue of their saltbox home. I’ll discuss propagation methods below. Above the sky is a clear cerulean blue. Water both the lavender and heather to keep the ground moist for a few days afterward, to ensure the plants are getting what they need. They're actually two different species with separate botanical names. Thank you for all the information, I found it very helpful. Its fresh bright green new growth in spring enlivens the plant. Copyright 2020 Leaf Group Ltd. / Leaf Group Media, All Rights Reserved. In this a gravel garden, perennials mix with evergreen and deciduous trees and shrubs. Fact: Heather is also called calluna which is a derivative of the Greek word, kallunein. Lavender (Lavandula) and heather (Calluna) are two of the easiest plants to grow, depending on your location and climate zone. Pruning Herbaceous Perennials Sadly she is out on a shopping errand and is unable to hear our compliments, but he invites us to wander around and have a look on our own. What a rich post - a story itself, pictures, info about plants! How lovely! The style is restrained and yet informal. I spent a lot of time enjoying roadside gardens as we drove from place to place. Cut the runners from the lavender, especially if the plant is old and too woody, and lay the runners into new holes in a separate area -- at least 6 feet from the heather. I learned to love Lavender when I lived in Italy. Add a sprinkling of bonemeal to the planting hole, place the plant in the hole, backfill and firm in. Cut the runners from the lavender, especially if the plant is old and too woody, and lay the runners into new holes in a separate area -- at least 6 feet from the heather. Ideally, set up a completely new growing area for the lavender plants. The rusty metal obelisks are made by local artist Alexa Jaffurs. 4. If only I had the space that this house has. The plant is hardy to United States Department of Agriculture zones 4 to 6 and is drought resistant once it is established. Heather companion plants should like the cool, moist conditions and acidic soils that these outstanding flowering evergreens prefer. Lavender is my favorite scent; wonder if I cd grow it: Im one hour south of Lake Erie in NE Ohio. Water it in well. Jun 9, 2020 - Explore Hope Amen's board "Heather & Lavender", followed by 298 people on Pinterest. Heather will reach up to 36" high and wide, forming thick mats. It has small needle-shaped leaves, and the flowers are usually purple but can also be white. Notice that, while sometimes referred to as heather plants, Erica x darleyensis Mediterranean Pink is more precisely termed "winter heath." I couldn't find any references for growing conditions online, so if you are familiar with this evergreen tree, please share. Everything is balanced with perfect symmetry: the chimneys, the windows and even clusters of white lilies on either side of the white front door. Cut the runners from the lavender, especially if the plant is old and too woody, and lay the runners into new holes in a separate area -- at least 6 feet from the heather. Lavender is more of a challenge. Heather flowers are seen in pink, lavender… Lavender prefers full sun and has many … These plants will have a lot more details displayed including an image. In some regions, this plant is known as the "elfin herb" due to its small flowers and foliage. Working along the stone wall that borders the driveway is an old man with a wheelbarrow. In the centre of the front garden is a stylized fiddlehead, the handiwork of a local stone carver. In the photograph on the right, you can see the deep blue waters of the Annapolis Basin peeking through the trees. It looks so perfect, with the perfect house too, what a shame you missed the gardener, you would have had so much to talk about. Size. She is the author of the nonfiction book "Everyone's A Guru" and has edited novels ("The Woman Pope") and worked in arts and sciences as a filmmaker, boat captain, landscaper, counselor, theater administrator and licensed midwife. The retired English professor tells us that it's his wife who is responsible for the garden. Replant the heather where it was growing if it was performing well. If you want to use the flower spikes for drying, the calyx color (bud) is important, not the corolla (petals) as they turn brown and fall off. I had the spelling of the name almost right, but had a feeling that Tamarack was wrong when I couldn't find any proper references online. B. The meaning of the word ‘ericaceous’ directly relates to the definition of plants in the Ericaceae family. I love the garden and the house, I really want it. On older plants that become too woody, remove some of the older branches back to the base. Pull the lavender carefully through the heather branches. For practical purposes, however, they are nearly identical, sharing color, form, and growth habits. Heather is a very long-lived plant, sometimes reaching the age of 50. Wearing gloves when dealing with woody or poky plants can help, as can long sleeves. With the peat about its roots, it serves as an effective fuel. Thank you so much for sharing this garden. Perched on top of the fiddlehead fern is a naive carving of a little bird. Thanks for letting me know it is a Tamarix. It has numerous branching stems and can grow up to 2 feet in length. Amazing what a small world it is! If you have clay soil, amend it with sand and small pebbles to increase the drainage. Lavender loves my containers though. This post is like a breath of spring and I feel like I can smell the lavender! Oh my what a stunning house...navy salt-box house with lavender and heather in the front garden....heaven to me! Turn the plants upside down. I have it in pots to aid with drainage. It has soft evergreen foliage and tiny magenta flowers. The house and the lavender match perfectly together and they show the feeling that the sea is nearby. Let it soak in and wait for about 30 minutes afterward to begin digging. It feels very welcoming. So it's perfect to read about your terrific meet-up and see all those gorgeous varieties safely tucked behind the glass of my computer. At the end of the driveway was a small outbuilding with heather growing in and around it. That is because, technically, the true heather plants are classified as Calluna vulgaris.But the various types of Erica, which are closely related to Calluna vulgaris, are grouped with the latter and also loosely referred to as "heather plants." I struggle growing lavender yet continue to try. Commonly referred to as Mexican Heather or False Heather, it is of no relation to the European family of heathers. The runners are the lower-branching offshoots that are putting down roots. This guide will help you choose the best type of lavender for your yard. Heathers are low maintenance evergreen bushes producing urn-shaped flowers ranging from white to rose to deep purple, which are borne on spikes above a compact mass of low-growing or spreading foliage.When people refer to heathers they are technically talking about heathers and heaths, both of which belong to the Ericaceae family. Great garden, nice you stopped to have a better look at it and met the owner, that´s a bonus. Heather is a low-growing bush or shrub that only grows 4 to 24 inches tall. No Heather is a form of Heath from cooler climates of northern Europe, Lavender is a perennial called Lavendula Used to tourists, he calls out, "Are you lost?". It turns out the grey-haired man was a professor at St Mary's University before he retired. Water it in well. Sometimes you can travel a very long way only to discover it is a very small world! The edge of the old windy highway along the Annapolis Basin is narrow, but I can't help but pull the car side of the road and get out for a closer look at the garden. I have only ever seen one in here in Southern Ontario, probably because it isn't particularly hardy here. Confusing! Have a great weekend. Replant the heather where it was growing if it was performing well. How lovely - and what an unusual combination - one that I wouldn't have thought of. In fall, the foliage changes hue and deepens and grows richer in tone. It grows to about 60 cm (24 in) high by 90 cm (35 in) wide and has purple, lavender or white coloured flowers and fine foliage. The Heather plant is sometimes also referred to as 'Ling' derived either from the old Norse Lyng or from the Anglo Saxon 'Lig' meaning fire and referred to as use for fuel. The genus is Tamarix, also called Tamarisk. Fill with a John Innes no. It is a testament to their remarkable garden that I did not take a single picture of the splendid view of the Annapolis Basin. The compact, or dwarf, size of most heath helps to limit the amount of air circulation through the plant and it creates its own microclimate whereby the plant is not as vulnerable to the cold as a taller, more openly branched plant. Do this until you have removed all plant parts, including runners. © Jennifer Connell 2010. Thank you SO much! I have updated the post. Water well. It is indeed a small world. For heather that's a shade more purple than lavender, it can also mean beauty. This is an evergreen that you don't see too often. Another consideration for what to plant next to heather is form. I’ve killed 2 heather plants so far (one in the ground and one in a large container) and I think I’ve given up trying. Provide good drainage to lavender, it is essential for its growth. Hi Annie, Thanks so much! I love the fact that the gardener knew so many of your relatives. My wet coast garden is perfect for heather and I intend to plant more after seeing your lovely pictures. There are color varieties with Lavender flowers ranging from spring green to the deepest royal purple imaginable. The plants are quite hardy with an average growth rate, flowering around late spring to summer. You can do this with your spade or use a pitchfork if you want to eliminate too much extra dirt coming up with the roots. The cold won't do them in, but wet, soggy soil in the winter months will cause them to perish. Plants that grow too close to one another will compete for resources, producing fewer blooms and possibly harming your plant. In a busier setting the simple, unpretentious carving might be lost, but in this understated garden, it is the perfect focal point. Tamarack, or Eastern Larch, is a tall conifer...the ones that turn yellow in the fall and drop their needles. ... 10 Great Shrubs With Blue or Lavender Flowers 13 Plants That Grow Well in Acidic Soil To assist you in selecting the right plant, we have prepared this guide, which we hope will be helpful to you. Good thing you stopped. When people mention heather, they are almost always talking about two different genera of plants: heaths and heathers.Although both belong to the Ericaceae family, they are botanically different and are divided into the Calluna genus and the Erica genus. Plant lavender in a sheltered, sunny spot, where they are protected from harsh winter winds. Great area for gardens - and this one is lovely. this week? It is splendid from the plant choices, colors to design. There are over 450 Lavender varieties and finding the best Lavender plant for your needs might be a daunting task. One of my sisters, who is travelling with me, joins us and the three of us get to chatting. The primary difference between the two is that heath is less cold-hardy and its leaves are shaped like needles, compared to the heater's scale-like leaves. Ideally, set up a completely new growing area for the lavender plants. Plant lavender at the same depth it was in its pot. Most articles on heather include heath, and vice versa, including this article, because so many people mix up the two plants. Heather (Calluna vulgaris) is a low-growing, spreading evergreen that produces flowers during winter, spring or summer, depending on the cultivar. I first heard about the heather plant when I was 10, ... they have a neat habit that walks the line between stiff and fluffy, and the flowers come in colors of lavender, magenta, and white that harmonize well with other plants’ colors. As you say, perfect in its simplicity. There are many varieties of Tamarix, some rather scruffy and others more refined. Simple theme. We have a Lavender Variety Pack Available which includes one plant each of Provence, Dwarf Munstead, Spanish Stoechas, French Dentata and Goodwin Creek Grey. If you have too much mud when you begin digging, wait and let the ground dry out a bit more. This front garden is so beautiful, good for you, stopping to have a look! Heathers may be erect or prostrate, making them either excellent focal plants or groundcovers. Good luck with your heather! What a happy coincidence this was, Jennifer, and her gardens are just beautiful. He even knows of my late father-in-law, who taught business and marketing in another of the university's departments. A lovely home too! USDA Hardiness Zone: 5-8 The huts of Scottish Highlanders were formerly made of heather and heath stems cemented with peat mud mixed with dry grass or straw. Also check out the soil you’re using, if it is heavy, replace it. The English professor told us that he and his wife have always had the good fortune to live in a house near the sea. Heather flowers commonly grow in northern and western Europe, Turkey, and Morocco, and have been naturalized in parts of North America. A big difference between French and English lavender is that the latter is much hardier. Summer escorts in long colorful stems with a multitude of blooms. Then just focus on the lavender -- especially if the heather is older and more established. I love to hear from you. I decided to do some research and find out once and for all exactly what this plant was, and how to determine the difference between heath and heather. Water the area around the plants you want to separate. He knows my sister-in-law and her mother, who taught English in the same department. Thanks for leaving a comment. When you want to untangle the plants and replant in new spaces, wait until fall or very early spring to dig them up. Lavender (Lavandula) and heather (Calluna) are two of the easiest plants to grow, depending on your location and climate zone. The plant flowers from July through September. Also called True Lavender or Fine Lavender, the best quality oil comes from plants grown at altitudes between 2500 and 4500 feet on the sides of mountains in central Europe. As humidity level in Florida remains higher in summer, take care not to water frequently. I tell him it's the garden that has made me stop the car. Heather flowers are a traditional remedy in Swedish herbal medicine. Another enemy of lavender is the wind. Plants that are in the Ericaceae family are primarily known for the fact that they can only grow in acidic soil. Individual plants grow to between 2 and 3 feet, producing short spikes of light blue flowers. English lavender (Lavandula angustifolia) is the most common variety of lavender plant.This variety is widely cultivated for its lavender oil. These are great for starting new plants. This means that these acid-loving plants would need an acidic compost to sustain growth. French lavender is large and will grow from about two to three feet (60-90 cm.) It is on my list for spring, but being difficult to find, I'm not holding my breath. However, I didn’t bring the one marked tender perennial into the basement to winter as I should have, so I supsect it might not come back. Consider planting them under a tree. Don't feed nitrogen to heather plants or you'll likely lose them. 3. Lavender blooms on new growth, so cutting the plant back is essential. Mediterranean varietals like Spanish lavender (Lavandula stoechas) and French lavender (Lavandula dentata) are less common lavender varieties that are widely cultivated for potpourri and essential oils.. I believe it is a Tamarack (please correct me if I am wrong). Examples of Subshrubs. Your posts bring back memories of a lovely vacation we had in Nova Scotia a few years ago. Nova Scotia looks wonderful, and the house is just like something out of a picture book. A beautiful backdrop for that casual garden. Lavender flowers vary in size, shape and color. See more ideas about Lavender, Lavender fields, Lovely lavender. Like other angustifolia and x intermedia lavender varieties, Gray Lady is hardy to Zone 5 or 6 but will not tolerate the hot and humid areas south of Zone 9. But it's also hard to go wrong: Most varieties of this herb feature fragrant foliage and beautiful flowers, plus resistance to drought, deer, and other pests. I am curious to see the back garden, so we follow the gravel driveway that curves past the side of the house. Going to L.O. If you look closely, you'll see that the purple bristles are bell shaped flowers. Plant lavender plants in a location where they’ll get shade from afternoon sun. Heather is evergreen and has several seasons of interest. The species name alludes to the similarity of the foliage to that of the European herb, hyssop. 'Gray Lady' flowers are excellent for drying. Here is a list of some of the more common subshrubs. French lavender is only hardy through about zone 8 and won’t tolerate cold winters. One of my biggest regrets is that I'm allergic to lavender - throat closing, run for the hills allergic. My soil isn't acid so I can't grow heathers but using the different coloured lavenders works just as well. This is appropriate, as heather plants were once used for making brooms. I really enjoyed your post. Erica cinerea (Bell Heather) Attractive and spectacular in bloom with some of the most eye-catching … I have to say I am most impressed with this garden. It's the simple, salt-box design of the dark blue house with its crisp white trim that first catches your eye and the garden in front of the house that holds it there. Water the lavender in well. Attempts at division usually result in death of all sections of the plant.