Melanie Scotch Heather
Calluna vulgaris 'Melanie' P.P.# 9789
The masses of white flower buds never open thereby remaining showy from August until hard frost! Superb for alpine, rock or trough gardens. Plant in window boxes, mixed borders or create a mass planting. Great for holiday gifts. Evergreen.
| Botanical Pronunciation: | ka-LOO-na vul-GAH-ris |
| Key feature: | Fall Flowering |
| Plant type: | Shrub |
| Patent Act: | Asexual reproduction of plants protected by the Plant Patent Act is prohibited during the life of the patent. |
| Garden style: | Cottage |
| Deciduous/evergreen: | Evergreen |
| Cold hardiness zones: | 5 - 7 |
| Light needs: | Full sun |
| Water Needs: | Needs regular watering - weekly, or more often in extreme heat. |
| Average landscape size: | Moderate growth to 15 in. high, spreading to 2 ft. |
| Growth rate: | Moderate |
| Flower attributes: | Flowers for Cutting, Long Bloom Season |
| Special features: | Attracts Birds |
| Landscape uses: | Rock Garden, Seacoast Exposure |
| Flower color: | White |
| Blooms: | Late summer through fall |
| Foliage color: | Dark Green |
| Item no.: | 2016 |
| Retailers for this plant: |
Care Information
Follow a regular watering schedule during the first growing season to establish a deep extensive root system. Watering can be reduced after establishment. Prefers rocky, unimproved soils. Do not over fertilize.
Design Ideas
Heathers are not too particular about fertility but demand absolute drainage. This has made them a favorite of alpine rock gardeners where elevated positions on outcroppings or banks ensures water flows through quickly. An ideal candidate for top of retaining walls and in raised planters provided soil backfill is granular. Exploit the acidic soils around the edges of conifer groves. Blends nicely with grasses for wild gardens, particularly in coastal conditions. Does well in porous troughs and well drained unglazed ceramic pots.
Lore
Heathers grow wild in much of Britain and northern Europe the same way sagebrush covers the American west. Heathers were always cheap and available plant material. The plants were used to create small household brooms and dusters. They were also used to pack crates of whiskey and other breakables for shipping, and so were spread around early on and found their way to North America along with traditional brooms.
The masses of white flower buds never open thereby remaining showy from August until hard frost! Superb for alpine, rock or trough gardens. Plant in window boxes, mixed borders or create a mass planting. Great for holiday gifts. Evergreen.
Care Information
Follow a regular watering schedule during the first growing season to establish a deep extensive root system. Watering can be reduced after establishment. Prefers rocky, unimproved soils. Do not over fertilize.
Design Ideas
Heathers are not too particular about fertility but demand absolute drainage. This has made them a favorite of alpine rock gardeners where elevated positions on outcroppings or banks ensures water flows through quickly. An ideal candidate for top of retaining walls and in raised planters provided soil backfill is granular. Exploit the acidic soils around the edges of conifer groves. Blends nicely with grasses for wild gardens, particularly in coastal conditions. Does well in porous troughs and well drained unglazed ceramic pots.
Lore
Heathers grow wild in much of Britain and northern Europe the same way sagebrush covers the American west. Heathers were always cheap and available plant material. The plants were used to create small household brooms and dusters. They were also used to pack crates of whiskey and other breakables for shipping, and so were spread around early on and found their way to North America along with traditional brooms.
| Botanical Pronunciation: | ka-LOO-na vul-GAH-ris |
| Key feature: | Fall Flowering |
| Plant type: | Shrub |
| Patent Act: | Asexual reproduction of plants protected by the Plant Patent Act is prohibited during the life of the patent. |
| Garden style: | Cottage |
| Deciduous/evergreen: | Evergreen |
| Cold hardiness zones: | 5 - 7 |
| Light needs: | Full sun |
| Water Needs: | Needs regular watering - weekly, or more often in extreme heat. |
| Average landscape size: | Moderate growth to 15 in. high, spreading to 2 ft. |
| Growth rate: | Moderate |
| Flower attributes: | Flowers for Cutting, Long Bloom Season |
| Special features: | Attracts Birds |
| Landscape uses: | Rock Garden, Seacoast Exposure |
| Flower color: | White |
| Blooms: | Late summer through fall |
| Foliage color: | Dark Green |
| Item no.: | 2016 |
print this page
elsewhere in
explore plant
elsewhere in
plant catalog
explore plant
collections
Monrovia soil products
The best fertilizer to use with this plant is Tree & Shrub Food.view soil products