Ask a Master Gardener: No matter the weather, plant heath and heather

Answer: I suggest you look into planting heathers and heaths. These showy evergreen shrubs are low-maintenance, low-growing plants that have the fabulous ability to change color year-round, bringing bright hues to drab winter landscapes, as well as providing year-round interest.

There are many variations in flower and foliage color to choose from. They thrive in well-drained soil that is acidic in pH, with lots of organic matter content, and require only moderate irrigation during dry spells. Their colors become deeper and bolder, and their bloom time is maximized in full sun. And though happily, deer avoid them, pollinators love them!

Heathers and heaths are actually two different genera of plants. Though both belong to the family Ericaceae, heathers are cultivars of just one species, Calluna vulgaris, while heaths belong to the Erica genus. Heathers have flatter, scale-like foliage, which can be as attractive as flowers, ranging from green to yellow, orange, red or silver, depending on the cultivar and season. Heaths have needle-like leaves and more showy, bell-like flowers.

Plant heaths and heathers in open areas, along walkways or tucked among landscape rocks. They especially look lovely next to dwarf conifers, which also require acidic soil conditions.

Try planting winter bloomers with early spring bulbs like crocuses, daffodils and dwarf iris. They happily tolerate poor and rocky soils since their root system is fibrous and shallow. Plant a variety of cultivars, interchanging different foliage and flower colors to add interest and color appeal to your landscape.

Before planting, test the pH of your site. It should be between 4.5 to 5.5. Without good drainage, these plants will struggle, so consider planting them directly into fir bark or fir dust, especially if you have a clay soil.

The best time to plant is spring or autumn. You will want to space the plants between 2 and 3 feet apart — heaths grow about 1 1/2 feet wide, whereas heathers need from 2 to 3 feet. Dig a hole about twice as wide as the root ball, and half again as deep. Make vertical cuts the length of the root ball and across the bottom, and then break up the roots gently.

After planting, make sure the soil is kept moist but not soggy, and keep them mulched. After about two or three years, these plants will generally take care of themselves, as they are quite drought-tolerant.

Use pruning shears on newly-planted heaths or heathers to encourage a bushy shape. Once established, shear below the spent blooms to encourage more new growth, creating a mound-like shape. Winter bloomers should be sheared lightly in spring, immediately after blooming.

Should the centers of the plant die out, shearing will keep them alive and thriving. You can gently cut out the dead branches. No need for fertilizer, as heaths and heathers prefer poor soils. However, if they appear to be struggling, use a low rate of fertilizer for acid-loving evergreen plants, such as azaleas and rhododendrons. Then, step back and enjoy their spectacular displays.