While the moors of England and hills of Scotland have served as backdrops in some of the most chilling and brutal literary tales, they have also captured hearts as settings for some of the most romantic ones. And blanketing these moor landscapes in wonderful color is often Calluna vulgaris, commonly known as Scotch heather. An old-world plant with a lengthy history of cultivation and rituals, Scotch heather has come into its own as an equally beautiful and useful landscape shrub, serving as more than just an icon of Scottish heritage and mystique — though that definitely doesn't hurt. fisherbray Botanical name: Calluna vulgaris (and cultivars)
Common names: Scotch heather, ling
USDA zones: 3 to 10 (find your zone)
Water requirement: Regular; do not overwater
Light requirement: Full sun
Mature size: Varies from ground cover to 3 feet tall
Benefits and tolerances: Attracts bees and butterflies; can tolerate indirect coastal conditions; can also regenerate from some fires
Seasonal interest: Blooms July through October (some varieties even longer)
When to plant: Late spring into summer (after the last frost) Genevieve Schmidt Shown: Calluna vulgaris 'Long White' Markku Mestilä Distinguishing traits. More than 1,000 cultivars comprise Calluna vulgaris, making nearly every size, color and shape of heather possible. Scotch heather is an evergreen mounding shrub, ranging from dwarf ground covers to midsize shrubs. A dense, upright branching structure, covered year-round in small, scaly leaves, creates a solid, matlike appearance.

Only up close can you see how delicate and soft Scotch heather is. Miniature bell-shaped flowers erupt in spikes from summer through fall, in colors ranging from white and pale pink to pink and even lavender or purple. Some flowers will even persist on the stems through winter. The color diversity is also true for its foliage — from soft greens and grays to vivid chartreuse or yellow. If you plant it in full sun, the foliage may develop a red, bronzy or even silvery hue in winter, making for striking seasonal garden interest. New foliage erupts in spring, and some say it's even more spectacular than when the plant is flowering. Bob Osborn Far Out Flora How to use it. Heathers are found on the moors and heaths of the United Kingdom and Europe, creating a naturally striking setting.

Experiment with Scotch heather by planting it en masse with other plants that also prefer acidic soil. But with thousands of heathers to choose from (both Calluna and Erica), why not try a massed planting with just heathers? The Mendocino Coast Botanical Gardens have done just that, with Calluna Vulgaris 'Foxii Nana' shown here planted beside Erica Cinerea 'Golden Drop' in a perfectly executed bed.

While the different heathers may bloom at different times, vary in height and produce different-colored flowers and foliage, a similar texture and habit create design continuity without uniformity. gudnysigga Alternatively, try interspersing colorful edibles or herbs among Scotch heather as a woodland perennial accent.

More on mixing ornamentals and edibles Hans-Christian Planting notes. Scotch heather prefers full sun. While you should avoid overwatering it, be sure to maintain adequate moisture. While It’s a very resilient and extremely cold-hardy plant, it also isn’t the easiest to grow and can be very particular about soil.

Scotch heather requires sandy, peaty and very well-drained soil. It prefers very acidic soil with no nitrogen — the Pacific Northwest is a well-balanced region for the genus. Otherwise be sure to lightly amend the soil with acidic plant food in late winter and early summer. This also helps to encourage flowering. Linda Bob Osborn If you're growing Scotch heather in extremely cold climates, low-growing varieties may prove to be the most successful. Snow cover will protect roots and the plant over winter and enable it to regenerate in spring. The exact opposite applies to hot, muggy regions like the American Southeast. Low-growing varieties there are more succeptible to fungal disease, which is much more prevelant in the hot, humid South — and big temperature swings only increase the likelihood of this disease.

After blooming is finished, prune the plant back, remove spent flowers and pinch the tips. This will ensure a clean and healthy plant for the next season.