The Heather Garden at the Horticulture Center of the Pacific

The Heather Garden at the Horticulture Center of the Pacific

by Earl Jenstad, Heather Garden Lead Steward

February to May are the months when this garden is the most colorful. The Erica carnea (low growing winter heather) and Erica x darleyensis (robust taller winter heather) feature white, pink, heliotrope, lilac flowers on low growing plants. However, the various shades of green, gold, rust, or yellow leaves provide continuous colour throughout the year. Erica carnea flowers are sheared every two or three years whereas the darleyensis which have long flower stems are sheared annually to maintain shape and abundance of flowers. Weeding is limited to pathways as the heathers effectively shade out invasive plants.

Another spring colour feature of heathers exists in several of the summer blooming Calluna vulgaris.  As the spring growth emerges, they display bright yellow, pink, red, orange or cream. There is a delayed production of chlorophyl and carotenoid pigments which allows other pigments to remain visible for several weeks.

Calluna vulgaris 'Spring Torch' (above) will display fiery red to cream new growth in April before chlorophyll develops to mask the display. It can be mistaken for a flower display. The mauve flowers on long stems appear in August. 

Erica carnea is native to the Dolomites, the Alps, Italy and Greece and have naturalized throughout temperate climates of the world. The best examples of E. carnea in this garden are seen from the lowest part at the base of the steps. A river of colour flows towards one who gazes up from the road. 

This display can be seen from late January to May.  In the foreground is E. carnea 'Isabel', E. carnea 'Wentwood Red'. Other named cultivars are Beoly Pink, Winterfreude, and R.B. Cooke. 

Erica x darleyensis is a hybrid between Erica carnea and Erica erigena (a tree heather).  

The first named hybrid was found in a nursery in Darey Dale, Derbyshire, England. Since then, hundreds of crosses have been made between the two species. The upper section of the garden, re-developed in 2016 features mainly Erica x darleyensis. Each plant is a strong competitor for space, both vertically and horizontally and will intermingle with its neighbouring plant. To limit this habit, we shear spent flowers to the base of the flower stem and then vertically between different cultivars whenever possible.

Several of the tree heathers are in bloom in April.  In the centre section is Erica arborea  var. alpina.  It stands against the dark green Picea.  

The lower section of the garden was probably planted more than 30 years ago and featured Calluna and E. darleyensis heathers. Attempts to revitalize old plants have proven to be partly successful.

Erica arborea var. alpina

Another tree heather is Erica erigena 'W.T. Rackliff' in flower January to May.

My favorite tree heather is actually a very large shrub named Erica x griffithsii  'Jacqueline'.  It tumbles out on to the path (graveled steps) that descend to the road. It begins blooming in late June and continues to December. On a warm summer day one may be able to detect the very pleasant scent coming from 'Jacqueline', scented heathers are rare. The top photo was taken in October.  Several months later in early February the Erica carneas which surround 'Jacqueline', prepare to come into flower.

All photos, unless otherwise indicated, were taken by Earl Jenstad, volunteer at HCP.

 

Editor's Note: The original planting for the Heather Garden was started in 1985 with donations from the North American Heather Society, formally developed in 1988, modified in 1991, redeveloped in 2001 and continues with the devoted efforts of volunteers like Earl Jenstad.