Heather 'Annemarie' Calluna vulgaris 'Annemarie' (d)
![heather 'Annemarie'](/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fplants-admin.emdemapps.com%2Fimages%2Fplants%2F%2Fimages%2F604b5d00377c7.png&w=3840&q=75)
ABOUT
'Annemarie' is a spreading evergreen shrub with dark green foliage and long racemes of double, deep rose-pink flowers in late summer and early autumn
About this plant
Names
Family
Ericaceae.
Synonyms
Heather, Ling, Scots Heather, Scottish Heather, Common Heather.
Common names
Calluna vulgaris.
Characteristics
Life cycle
Perennials
Foliage type
Evergreen
Color of leaves
Green
Flower color
Pink
Height
1-2 feet (30-60 cm)
Spread
1-2 feet (30-60 cm)
Plant type
Shrub
Hardiness zones
4
Native area
Europe
Benefits
General Benefits
- Aesthetic Appeal: Adds color and visual interest to gardens with its vibrant pink flowers.
- Low Maintenance: Requires minimal care once established, making it suitable for beginner gardeners.
- Drought Tolerance: Can survive in dry conditions, reducing the need for frequent watering.
- Wildlife Attraction: Flowers attract bees, butterflies, and other pollinators, supporting biodiversity.
- Winter Interest: Evergreen foliage provides color and texture in the garden during the dormant season.
- Durability: Resistant to many pests and diseases, ensuring a long-lasting presence in the landscape.
- Versatile Landscaping: Suitable for ground cover, rock gardens, borders, and containers.
- Erosion Control: Helps stabilize soil on slopes and in areas prone to erosion.
Medical Properties
This plant is not used for medical purposes.
Air-purifying Qualities
This plant is not specifically known for air purifying qualities.
Other Uses
- As a natural dye: Heather can be used to make a range of natural dyes for fabrics, with the color often depending on the mordant used.
- In brewing: Heather is sometimes used in the craft brewing process to add a distinct aroma and flavor to beers, particularly traditional Scottish ales.
- As a sleep aid: Dried heather flowers can be placed into sachets and used as a natural sleep aid, placed under a pillow to encourage restful sleep.
- As a flavoring in honey: When bees pollinate heather, they produce a unique honey with a strong, aromatic flavor that is highly prized in some regions.
- In photography: Heather's picturesque qualities make it a popular subject for photographers, especially when it blooms in a purple carpet across landscapes.
- In terrariums: Small heather plants can be placed in terrariums to create miniature landscapes, adding color and variety to the enclosed ecosystem.
- As erosion control: Heather can be planted in areas prone to erosion, as its root system helps to stabilize the soil and prevent runoff.
- In themed gardens: Heather is often included in Celtic or Scottish themed gardens, providing authentic plant varieties for cultural landscaping.
- In festive decorations: Around the holidays, heather is sometimes used to create natural wreaths or garlands because of its rich texture and color.
- As a natural fertilizer: After heather has finished its life cycle, it can be composted and used as a natural, nutrient-rich fertilizer for gardens.
Interesting Facts
Feng Shui
Heather is not used in Feng Shui practice.
Zodiac Sign Compitability
Heather is not used in astrology practice.
Plant Symbolism
- Protection: Calluna, commonly known as Heather, has traditionally been used for protection and to ward off harmful energies.
- Good Luck: Heather is often associated with good fortune, and carrying a sprig is considered to bring good luck, especially before embarking on an important journey.
- Admiration: The beautiful appearance of Heather can symbolize admiration, making it a suitable gift to show respect or fondness for someone.
- Solitude: In some cultures, Heather represents solitude or the beauty of seclusion, possibly because it thrives on the lonely moors and open spaces.
- New Beginnings: Heather blooms in the late summer, a period traditionally associated with the end of one cycle and the beginning of another, metaphorically representing new beginnings.
Water
The common name for Calluna vulgaris 'Annemarie' is Heather. Heather should be watered thoroughly, ensuring the soil is kept evenly moist but not waterlogged. During active growing periods in spring and summer, watering once or twice a week with about 1 gallon per watering session is generally sufficient, depending on the climate and soil drainage. In hotter, drier periods, you may need to water more frequently. In winter, reduce watering but do not let the soil completely dry out. Always check the top inch of soil for dryness before watering again.
Light
Heather thrives best in full sun to partial shade conditions. A spot that receives at least 4 to 6 hours of direct sunlight followed by a dappled shade is ideal for this plant. Avoid deep shade as it can lead to poor flowering and leggy growth.
Temperature
Heather plants prefer a cool temperate climate and can generally tolerate temperatures as low as 10 degrees Fahrenheit and as high as 75 degrees Fahrenheit. The ideal temperature range for Heather is between 50 and 65 degrees Fahrenheit. This range supports healthy growth and bloom cycles.
Pruning
Heather should be pruned annually to maintain shape and encourage bushy growth. The best time to prune Heather is in late winter or early spring, just before new growth begins. Trim lightly, removing old flower stalks and any dead or overgrown branches. Pruning every year will also help prevent the center of the plant from becoming woody.
Cleaning
As needed
Soil
Heather (Calluna vulgaris 'Annemarie') thrives best in well-draining, acidic soil with a pH range of 4.5 to 5.5. A mix of peat moss, sand, and pine bark is ideal for creating the necessary conditions.
Repotting
Heather should be repotted every 2 to 3 years or when it outgrows its current container.
Humidity & Misting
Heather prefers moderate humidity but is tolerant of different humidity levels as long as the soil moisture and drainage are well-managed.
Suitable locations
Indoor
Place in bright, indirect light with acidic soil and moderate water.
Outdoor
Plant in acidic soil with good drainage and full sun to partial shade.
Hardiness zone
4-6 USDA
Life cycle
The common name for Calluna vulgaris 'Annemarie' is Heather 'Annemarie'. Its life cycle begins with germination, where seeds sprout in well-drained, acidic soil, typically in spring or autumn. Following germination, the seedlings establish themselves, forming a small shrub with green foliage. Heather 'Annemarie' enters a vegetative state where it grows and matures, displaying its characteristic purple or mauve flowers usually from late summer to fall. After the blooming period, the plant sets seed, which are dispersed by wind or wildlife. Heather can live for several years, going through cycles of growth, blooming, and dormancy, typically with reduced activity in the winter months.
Propogation
Propogation time
Late summer to autumn
The most popular method for propagating Calluna vulgaris 'Annemarie', commonly known as Heather, is through semi-hardwood cuttings. This is typically done in late summer. To propagate Heather this way, a gardener would select healthy, non-flowering shoots and cut a length of about 2 to 4 inches (5 to 10 cm) with a sharp, clean tool. The lower leaves are stripped off, and the cut end dipped in rooting hormone to encourage root development. The cutting is then placed in a well-draining potting mix, ensuring that the soil remains moist but not waterlogged. It's important to provide a humid environment for the cuttings by placing them under a plastic cover or in a propagator until they root, which usually takes several weeks. Once rooted, the cuttings can be transplanted to their final location.