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Calluna vulgaris

Common Heather · Heather · Ling

Family EricaceaeGenus Calluna

A bush of fine needle-like foliage carrying many spikes of small pink bell flowers, with dead gray stems in front
FlowerAqwis (Aqwis)CC BY-SA 3.0

About the plant

What it is and where it grows — not part of any germination protocol.

The plant

Habit
Ground Cover, Perennial, ShrubExtension Gardener Plant Toolbox
Habit
subshrubPlants of the World Online
Height
0.3-2 ft10-60 cmExtension Gardener Plant Toolbox
Spread
1-2 ft30-60 cmExtension Gardener Plant Toolbox
Flower
Pink, Purple/Lavender, Red/BurgundyExtension Gardener Plant Toolbox
Blooms
Fall, SummerExtension Gardener Plant Toolbox
Native range
Austria, Azores, Baltic States, Belarus, Belgium, Bulgaria and elsewhereGBIF Backbone Taxonomy
Hardiness zones
4-6Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox

Growing conditions

Sun
Full sun; Partial ShadeExtension Gardener Plant Toolbox
Soil
Loam (Silt), Sand, Shallow RockyExtension Gardener Plant Toolbox
Soil pH
Acid (<6.0)Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox
Moisture
Good Drainage, MoistExtension Gardener Plant Toolbox

Toxicity is noted only where a source states it. No note here is not a finding of safety.

Sources: Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox — NC State Extension; Plants of the World Online — Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew; GBIF Backbone Taxonomy — Global Biodiversity Information Facility.

Worth knowing

  • The only species in its genus, and the dominant plant of most European heath and moorland. Heather honey is highly valued, and beehives are moved onto the moors in late summer. Wikipedia: Calluna
  • Purple heather is one of Norway's two national flowers, chosen by popular vote. In 1769 Thomas Pennant wrote that ale on Islay was often made from its young tops. Wikipedia: Calluna

This source reports three treatments. All are shown.

Protocol 1

DerivedN. C. Deno, 1993

Difficulty Moderate Rated by us, not by the source.

Start around March 15, 2027 for a May 3 last frost.

  1. Gibberellic acid soak

  2. Sow and cover

    Temperature: 70°F 21°C Light: dark

No stated waiting before sowing. Germination time not stated; 21 days assumed.

52% germination.

Seed Germination Theory and Practice, 2nd ed. — N. C. Deno, 1993 · Ch. 20, Calluna p. 109Public domain
Show the original text
Calluna (Ericaceae). C. vulgaris germ. 70D GA-3(52%), 70L(14%), 70D(4%), and 40(none) in 3rd w. Data for only first 6 w.
Seed Germination Theory and Practice, 2nd ed., Ch. 20, Calluna p. 109. Quoted exactly. Every value on this card comes from this record, except the difficulty rating, which is ours; the step names come from a fixed list.

Protocol 2

DerivedN. C. Deno, 1993

Difficulty High Rated by us, not by the source.

Start around March 15, 2027 for a May 3 last frost.

  1. Sow and cover

    Temperature: 70°F 21°C Light: light

No stated waiting before sowing. Germination time not stated; 21 days assumed.

14% germination.

Seed Germination Theory and Practice, 2nd ed. — N. C. Deno, 1993 · Ch. 20, Calluna p. 109Public domain
Show the original text
Calluna (Ericaceae). C. vulgaris germ. 70D GA-3(52%), 70L(14%), 70D(4%), and 40(none) in 3rd w. Data for only first 6 w.
Seed Germination Theory and Practice, 2nd ed., Ch. 20, Calluna p. 109. Quoted exactly. Every value on this card comes from this record, except the difficulty rating, which is ours; the step names come from a fixed list.

Protocol 3

DerivedN. C. Deno, 1993

Difficulty Very high Rated by us, not by the source.

Start around March 15, 2027 for a May 3 last frost.

  1. Sow and cover

    Temperature: 70°F 21°C Light: dark

No stated waiting before sowing. Germination time not stated; 21 days assumed.

4% germination.

Seed Germination Theory and Practice, 2nd ed. — N. C. Deno, 1993 · Ch. 20, Calluna p. 109Public domain
Show the original text
Calluna (Ericaceae). C. vulgaris germ. 70D GA-3(52%), 70L(14%), 70D(4%), and 40(none) in 3rd w. Data for only first 6 w.
Seed Germination Theory and Practice, 2nd ed., Ch. 20, Calluna p. 109. Quoted exactly. Every value on this card comes from this record, except the difficulty rating, which is ours; the step names come from a fixed list.

How each step is done, in Deno’s words, and what Verified and Derived mean.

Germination trials

Readers’ own records of sowing this species, published after review. Share your trial · All trials

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