Ericaceae; native of northern Europe.

Germination: Sow outdoors in late fall for early spring germination, or sow indoors. Fresh seeds will germinate in 30-35 days if a temperature within the medium of 55-70° F is maintained. Seeds may benefit from being placed in a moistened medium in the refrigerator for 4 weeks, followed by germination as above. Heather blooms the second year from sowing.

Growth: In spring, space 12 inches apart in full sun in an acid, infertile, highly organic soil that is well-drained. Keep the soil evenly moist and feed once in spring. Shear in early spring and mulch the plants to help them retain moisture. These evergreen plants require no staking and tolerate wind and partial shade.

Appearance and Use: These attractive evergreen shrubs for edging, foundation planting, borders, slopes, and rock gardens are also ideal for containers or as a holiday potted plant. Upright plants 12-36 inches tall and 12-18 inches wide, range from dense and woody at their bases to more sparse and free-growing. Late summer brings 10- inch spikes of pink, purple, or white blooms. Scale-like, 1/2- to 1- inch foliage can be green, yellow, bronze, and variegated. In fall, the leaves turn bronze, red, yellow, or silver depending upon the cultivar.