Transform your fall garden: Heather care tips you need to know

Planning to buy potted heathers? If you want them to adorn your balcony or garden into late fall, perform one simple task. Their purple-pink flowers will be a delight well into October.

Heather is a perennial plant from the heather family. It is distinguished by its unique, small, bell-shaped flowers with a characteristic pink-purple color. Despite its numerous health benefits, it is most commonly used as an ornamental plant.

Blooming heathers are a real adornment for a balcony or garden. Properly cared for, they please the eye for two to three months. How can you extend their blooming period? Perform one simple task right after purchasing the seedlings, and the plant will reward you with a beautiful appearance.

There are about 300 species of heathers worldwide. Each differs in color, appearance, and size. Some bloom as early as August, while others fully develop only in October. In late summer, early varieties first appear in garden stores and markets. It is one of the most popular fall balcony plants.

How to care for heathers? If you plan to grow them on the balcony immediately after purchase, transplant them into a larger pot with drainage. The container's diameter should be at least six inches for a single seedling. This will give the plant a chance to grow. Do not forget about the right soil. Heathers develop best in dry, well-drained, sandy soil with an acidic or slightly acidic reaction. You can buy this soil at any garden store.

Before placing the heathers in the container, sprinkle a bit of expanded clay at the bottom, which acts as drainage. The aggregate will prevent overwatering and support proper root growth. Where to place heathers? In a warm, sunny spot sheltered from the wind. After transplanting, water the plants immediately with soft, settled water. Do not use too much water, as heathers are very sensitive to overwatering. Repeat the procedure once a week throughout the blooming period.

Heathers, like any other plant, require fertilization. For heathers, use multi-component, specialist fertilizers. Both liquid, gel, and granulate forms will work. How often should you fertilize heathers? Three times a year. The first fertilization should take place between late March and April, the second in June, and the third in the first half of August.