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Summer Heathers
Heathers are low-growing, shrub-like perennials that blossom into
a sea of color. They look great planted with dwarf conifers, especially
when a variety of shapes, colors and textures are used. Interplant
late flowering varieties with deciduous plants that have colorful
foliage in the autumn for a striking display, and use them in camellia
and rhododendron beds to add summer color. They are also used in
rock gardens and as groundcovers.
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Heathers enjoy an sunny site with good air circulation
and an acid soil that doesn't dry out or become waterlogged. Acid
soil is a must for summer heathers, and if your pH is too high,
you should amend with aluminum sulfate before planting if necessary.
Pale leaves and slow growth indicate that the soil is not acid enough.
You can help the soil retain moisture in the heat of summer by
applying a mulch. Two inches of bark chips or cocoa shells make
a good mulch for a bed of heathers.
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Care and Maintenance
Use a fertilizer designed for acid-loving plants in spring and at
regular intervals through the growing season as the package directs.
It's best to use a soluble fertilizer rather than one that has to
be worked into the soil because the roots are very shallow, and
you can easily damage them by trying to cultivate around the plants.
To encourage strong growth, shear off the plants in early spring
before flowering begins.
Heathers are susceptible to fungus, and if your summers are hot
and humid, you may want to have a fungicide on hand so you can treat
your plants at the first sign of infection.
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Taking Cuttings
The best time to propagate heathers is mid- to late summer. Fill
a pot with a mixture of half sand and half sterile peat moss, and
make holes for your cuttings with a thin twig.
Clip a 1-1/2 inch piece from the tip of a non-flowering shoot.
Make sure the shoot is from the current season's growth. Strip the
foliage from the lower half of the stem with your fingers, taking
care not to damage the stem, and dip the lower end of the stem in
rooting hormone. Make sure the rooting hormone covers the part of
the stem where you have removed the foliage, then tap gently to
remove the excess.
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Place the cuttings in the holes that you have prepared and water
the pot thoroughly but gently so as not to disturb the cuttings.
Once the pot has drained, cover it with a plastic bag, making sure
the sides of the bag don't touch your plants. If necessary, insert
a few twigs in the soil to hold the bag away from the plants. Leave
the bag in place for 6-8 weeks.
About the Author:
Jackie Carroll is the editor of GardenGuides.com, a leading internet
destination for gardening information and ideas.
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