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Does heath or heather do well in poorer, dryer soil?
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Posted by three4rd (My Page) on Mon, May 7, 07 at 13:18
| I have a sloped bed that has always been covered for the most part with spreading junipers. Lately, the junipers seem to be dying out. I'm thinking of replacing them with something different that would provide some color. Would heath or heather be a good choice as a ground cover? We have basically shale - dry soil with lots of rocks and stones only a short distance under the topsoil. And, we live on a hill so there is lots of wind. Any suggestions for replacing the juniper - please let me know.
Thanks,
Keith |
Follow-Up Postings:
RE: Does heath or heather do well in poorer, dryer soil?
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| Heath and Heather need well drained acidic soil(ph 5.5). Also they will need to be protected from dry cold winter winds. Here in the northeast we have not had good snow cover the last few winters and plants have suffered from the lack of protection. Read up on overwintering protection. Good luck and feel free to contact us if you have more questions. |
Here is a link that might be useful: Rock Spray Nursery
RE: Does heath or heather do well in poorer, dryer soil?
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| While they want well drained soil, if it is really dry, then you would have to water. They aren't very drought tolerant. |
RE: Does heath or heather do well in poorer, dryer soil?
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- Posted by botann z8 SEof Seattle (My Page) on
Tue, Mar 23, 10 at 5:34
| I know this is an old post, but three4rd doesn't give a zone, location, or an acknowledgment of replies. Not cool. |
RE: Does heath or heather do well in poorer, dryer soil?
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| Wow! This is an old post! Oh well, still this is a good question and my opinion is that they will grow in such soil if a lot of peat moss and organic matter (leaf mould, compost) are added into the soil - make the hole at least 3 times as large as the plant because they do spread very wide over time (many years). And mulch very well. Mine are totally exposed to the sun and wind, and occasionally they look crappy because of it, but this year after record snowfall and record rainfall this Spring they have never looked better (mine are almost 15 years old - the one fully exposed to wind and sun is HUGE; the one in partial shade is half the size). I'm assuming here that this person lived in a temperate zone, not the desert. |
RE: Does heath or heather do well in poorer, dryer soil?
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natschultz,
I am thinking of growing heather because I thought it would grow well in poor clay soil. It appears that maybe I should not grow it. I want something for my hot Missouri weather that will look good through the summer. |
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