Well, the heaths and heathers will survive here in central Michigan, just need excellent drainage. Really being promoted for winter color in the garden magazines. The best ones I have seen here were in raised gravel beds, berm type areas, raised almost 2ft. This gave good drainage, didn't keep the centers, bud growth areas, damp or covered with mulch. Cold was not the problems, sitting in wet dirt killed them. Mold on green areas and root rot.

http://www.rbge.org./web/hort/scot_pl.jsp
this is the link for the royal botanic garden in edinburgh. Keep checking the various links that connect to that page and you'll get lists of native Scottish plants. I've been lucky enough to have been to Inverewe and it's a WONDERFUL place!

Yes, thistle does very well here. Be careful with heathers and heaths, some of them won't survive a Michigan winter.

I've killed a half a dozen heathers over the years. I did have a few that lasted a couple years, and as said above dry-er conditions seem to be hwat enabled these to survive.

I did have one that seemed to thrive, but in its third year I moved and the new owners ripped it out.

~Chills

btw Semerau's in Eastpointe has had heathers and heaths for the past couple years. Check in the spring, maybe they'll have em again.

Thanks for the useful information
and links.

Hope you and yours have
HAPPY HOLIDAYS!!!