What is a bud blooming heather? Simply put, a bud bloomer is a variety of heather, more specifically, a Calluna, whose flower buds swell and colour up, but unlike traditional ericas or callunas, never open to reveal the flower.
They are highly sought after for their colourful foliage, interesting texture and long lasting 'bloomtime'. Foliage ranges in colour from deep green to golden yellow and is evergreen. Their buds come in white, pink, red or purple and appear in late summer through fall. In Metro Vancouver, this is usually August through September.Most bud bloomers are hardy to zone 4.
Bud bloomers are excellent groundcovers and can be planted 12 or so inches apart. They will slowly form a dense mat that should defeat most weeds. A well drained, acidic soil that is rich in nutrients in a sunny location is recommended. Bud Blooming heathers are also excellent in containers.
Many varieties of bud blooming heathers are available today including the following:
Calluna vulgaris 'Larissa'
Larissa features red buds on a plant that will grow 12 inches tall and up to 18 inches wide.
Calluna vulgaris 'Alicia'
A white budded calluna that grows 12 inches tall and 16 inches wide.
Calluna vulgaris 'Zeta'
Zeta features year round yellow foliage. Grows 12 inches tall and 16 inches wide.
Calluna vulgaris 'Amethyst'
Purple-crimson buds grace this long lasting bud blooming heather. Grows 12 inches high and 16 inches wide.
Calluna vulgaris 'Selly'
Selly features deep pink buds on a larger plant that grows to 20 inches in height and 28 inches across.
Calluna vulgaris 'Amanda'
This bud bloomer has pink buds and grows 12 inches high and 16 inches wide. It blooms from August to September.
Calluna vulgaris 'Sandy'
Sandy grows 14 inches tall and 16 inches wide. Its buds are white and bloom from August to November like most other bud bloomers.
Calluna vulgaris 'Wynanda'
A pink-purple bud bloomer that grows to 20 inches tall and 28 inches wide
Calluna vulgaris 'TriColour'
A mixed bouquet of bud blooming heather with three different varieties in the same pot.
5 Good Reasons to Plant Heather
- Easy to Grow, Low Maintenance
- Long Life Span
- Long Lasting Blooms
- Huge Range of Colours
- Can Be Planted In Containers
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