Looking For Versatility? Try Heather

Heather ranks as one of the top five landscape plants in the Pacific Northwest. Heather has almost unlimited uses in the garden. So here are a few of the most popular summer-flowering varieties:

COUNTY WICKLOW - This is a nice variety with medium green foliage and double pink flowers. The plant blooms from August to October and grows to about 18 inches high.

C.D. EASON - A low, 10-inch compact growing variety with magenta flowers. Foliage is dark green, making an excellent background for the showy flowers. This variety flowers from May to August. Plant spread is about 15 inches across.

P.S. PATRICK - June to August flowers are rich purple. Nice bushy growth habit to about 15 inches tall.

PURPLE BEAUTY - A nice medium growing variety that will grow about 12 inches tall and spread about 20 inches in width. June to October flowers are purple.

DAVID EASON - This variety has a long flowering period from August to November. Flowers are a deep mauve and stand out above the medium green foliage. Average height is about 20 inches with a spread of 1 to 1 1/2 feet.

MULLION - Nine lilac pink flowers on a semi-prostrate plant that only grows 6 to 9 inches tall, and with a spread of 24 inches. Foliage is a bright medium green. Flowers in July, August and September.

MRS. D.F. MAXWELL - This is one of my favorites because of the profusion of deep rose-pink flowers. It has a nice bushy, compact growth habit and grows about 18 inches tall and wide. Flowers in July, August and early September.

CALLUNA VULGARIS AUREA - This one is best known for its chartreuse foliage that turns copper during the winter. August to October flowers are mauve. Plant grows about 12 inches tall and spreads about 2 feet in width.

Heathers can be used individually in the garden, in group plantings or as a mass planting. They make excellent ground cover and rockery plants.

Heathers must be planted in soil that has good drainage. If the soil tends to be clay or hardpan it is advisable to plant the heather on a raised bed. Prepare the soil by mixing generous quantities of peat moss, compost or processed manure with your existing soil. Mix these organic humus' thoroughly with the existing planting soil. Be especially careful to set the plants right at ground level. The top of root ball must be level with the soil surface.