Heather 'Roland Haagen' Calluna vulgaris 'Roland Haagen'

👤 Non-toxic to humans

🐾 Non-toxic to pets

🌸 Blooming

🍪 Not edible

‍🌱 Easy-care

ABOUT

'Roland Haagen' is a low, spreading evergreen shrub to 15cm tall, with yellow foliage turning orange, tipped red, in winter, and short racemes of mauve-pink flowers

Plant Info

Care

Common Problems

About this plant

Names
- Family
  Ericaceae
- Synonyms
  Scotch Heather, Ling Heather, Scottish 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
- Attractive Foliage: The Calluna vulgaris 'Roland Haagen', commonly known as Scotch heather, offers year-round visual interest with its evergreen foliage.
- Colorful Blooms: This variety produces vibrant pink to purple flowers that add a splash of color to gardens and landscapes.
- Drought Tolerance: Scotch heather is known for its ability to withstand periods of low rainfall once established, making it suitable for xeriscaping.
- Low Maintenance: It requires minimal pruning and care, making it an ideal choice for gardeners seeking low-maintenance plants.
- Wildlife Attraction: The flowers provide a valuable source of nectar for bees and other pollinators, supporting biodiversity.
- Ground Cover: Its growth habit makes it effective for covering bare spots, controlling soil erosion, and suppressing weeds.
- Cold Hardy: Being hardy in a wide range of climates, Calluna vulgaris 'Roland Haagen' can survive cold winters, making it suitable for many temperate regions.
- Versatile Landscaping: It can be used in rock gardens, borders, and containers, offering various landscaping options.
- Soil Adaptability: Scotch heather is adaptable to various soil types, though it prefers acidic soils.
Medical Properties
- Antioxidant activity - Calluna vulgaris, commonly known as heather, has been reported to have antioxidant properties due to its polyphenolic compounds.
- Anti-inflammatory effects - Heather may have anti-inflammatory effects which could be beneficial in reducing inflammation.
- Antimicrobial properties - Some studies suggest that heather has antimicrobial qualities that can inhibit the growth of certain bacteria and fungi.
Please note that while these properties have been traditionally attributed to the plant or suggested in various studies, they are not to be taken as medical advice or a replacement for treatment prescribed by a healthcare professional. Always consult with a qualified healthcare provider before using herbs for medicinal purposes.
Air-purifying Qualities
This plant is not specifically known for air purifying qualities.
Other Uses
- Dye Production: Calluna vulgaris can be used to create natural dyes for wool and other fabrics, typically yielding shades of yellow, green, or orange depending on the mordant used.
- Fermentation Aid: The flowers are sometimes used in the brewing process to add flavor and stability to beers and ales, particularly gruit, a traditional herbal mixture used for bittering and flavoring beer.
- Fire Starter: The dry stems of Calluna vulgaris, known for their flammability, can be used to help start fires in wood stoves or during outdoor activities like camping.
- Biomass Fuel: The dense growth of the plant can be harvested and used as a renewable source of biomass fuel for heating or energy production.
- Sleep Aid: Small bundles of the plant can be placed in pillows to promote relaxation and a peaceful night’s sleep due to its aromatic properties.
- Mood Enhancer: The scent of Calluna vulgaris is said to have mood-enhancing effects, and it is sometimes used in aromatherapy to lift spirits and decrease stress.
- Folklore Crafts: Associated with various pagan and traditional practices, the plant may be used in making charms or talismans.
- Decorative Display: The vibrant purple flowers can be dried and arranged for long-lasting, colorful indoor displays or used in dried floral arrangements.
- Garden Mulch: Cuttings from pruning or garden clean-up of Calluna vulgaris can be used as mulch to suppress weeds and retain soil moisture in garden beds.
- Ecological Surveys: As an indicator species in heathland and moorland habitats, the presence of Calluna vulgaris can inform biologists about the health of the ecosystem.

Interesting Facts

Feng Shui
The Heather is not used in Feng Shui practice.
Zodiac Sign Compitability
The Heather is not used in astrology practice.
Plant Symbolism
- Protection: Calluna vulgaris, commonly known as heather, is often associated with protective qualities, believed to guard individuals from harm and bad luck.
- Good fortune: Heather is traditionally thought to bring good luck, especially when given as a gift.
- Admiration: The plant's resilience and beauty in harsh environments symbolize admiration for strength and perseverance.
- Solitude: Linked to the solitary landscapes it often inhabits, heather can represent a preference for solitude or peace.
- New beginnings: Heather blooms in the late summer, symbolizing new beginnings as it ushers in the end of one season and the beginning of another.

💧

Every 2-3 weeks

Water

☀️

500 - 2500 Lux

Light

💦️

60%

Humidity

🪴

Every 2-3 years

Repotting

🌱️

Late summer to autumn

Propogation

✂️️

As needed

Pruning

Water
For the Scottish Heather, water thoroughly when the topsoil feels dry to the touch, typically once or twice a week depending on the climate and soil drainage. During the growing season, ensure you provide about 1 gallon of water per plant for each watering session to saturate the roots without waterlogging, which can lead to root rot. In winter, reduce watering frequency since the plant requires less moisture during dormancy. Always water at the base of the plant to avoid wetting the foliage which can lead to fungal diseases.
Light
Scottish Heather thrives in full sun to partial shade. The best spot for this plant is where it can receive at least four to six hours of sunlight daily. If grown indoors, place it near a south-facing window to ensure it gets enough light. Avoid deep shade as it can lead to leggy growth and poor flowering.
Temperature
Scottish Heather does well in a wide range of temperatures but thrives best in mild conditions. It can tolerate minimum temperatures down to 20°F and maximum temperatures as high as 80°F, making it suitable for many temperate regions. Ideally, maintain an environment where the temperature is consistently between 60°F and 70°F for optimal growth.
Pruning
Prune Scottish Heather after the blooming period, typically in late summer or early fall, to maintain shape and encourage new growth. Cut back the flowered shoots to just below the spent flowers, but be careful not to cut into the old wood as it may not regrow. Pruning annually will help prevent the plant from becoming woody and sparse.
Cleaning
As needed
Soil
Heather, including Calluna vulgaris 'Roland Haagen', thrives in well-draining, acidic soil with a pH between 4.5 and 6. A mix of peat, sand, and loamy soil is ideal. Additions of compost or organic matter can improve soil structure.
Repotting
Heather, particularly Calluna vulgaris 'Roland Haagen', does not require frequent repotting and can be done every 2-3 years as the plant grows or if it becomes root-bound in its current pot.
Humidity & Misting
Heather, like Calluna vulgaris 'Roland Haagen', prefers moderate humidity levels but can tolerate a range, so long as it's not in a consistently dry environment.
Suitable locations
- Indoor
  Place heather in bright, indirect light and keep soil slightly moist.
- Outdoor
  Plant heather in acidic soil, full sun to partial shade.
- Hardiness zone
  4-7 USDA
Life cycle
Calluna vulgaris 'Roland Haagen', more commonly known as Heather or Scotch Heather, begins its life cycle as a seed, which germinates in spring to early summer in well-drained, acidic soils. Upon germination, the seedling develops into a small shrub, characterized by its dense, leafy growth and woody stems. As the plant matures, typically by the second or third year, it enters the flowering stage, producing small, bell-shaped flowers that range in color from white to pink and purple, usually blooming from late summer to fall. After pollination, often aided by bees and other insects, the flowers develop into seed capsules, which eventually release seeds, completing the reproductive cycle. The shrub has a perennial life cycle and can live several years, during which it may undergo pruning or natural dieback, stimulating new growth and maintaining plant health. In harsher climates or poor conditions, Heather may enter a period of dormancy during winter, resuming growth as the weather warms.
Propogation
- Propogation time
  Late summer to autumn
- The Calluna vulgaris 'Roland Haagen', commonly known as Scotch heather, is most commonly propagated through semi-ripe cuttings. This method involves taking cuttings from the plant during late summer. Shoots that have partially matured but are not yet woody are ideal. The cuttings should be about 2 to 4 inches (5 to 10 centimeters) long and the lower leaves should be removed. The cut end can be dipped in rooting hormone to encourage root growth before being placed in a pot with a mix of perlite and peat for good drainage. The cuttings should be kept moist and placed in a warm, shaded area until roots develop, which can take several weeks. Once rooted, the new Scotch heather plants can be transplanted to their final location.