what are these heathers called?

Fingers Mcginty · 01-09-2022 1:45pm #1

Are they ericas or calunas? I planted them last year but theyre not as colourful as they once were.

https://www.homebase.co.uk/heather-mix/12804629.html

Fingers Mcginty · 01-09-2022 1:46pm

forget it...i found out

is_that_so · 01-09-2022 1:46pm

...

Alun · 01-09-2022 1:51pm

They're plain white heather plants sprayed with a coloured paint/dye, horrible, fake looking things. After a while the paint wears off and you're left with a plain white heather again, if it's survived that is.

They do the same thing with cacti for some reason.

Fingers Mcginty · 01-09-2022 2:16pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119554517#Comment_119554517

seriously?

looksee · 01-09-2022 2:30pm

The link has gone, but I agree with Alun, if they were weird shades of green and orange and blue (not heather purple) then they were the abominations that are sold dyed. If you see lurid coloured cut chrysanths in the supermarket they have also been put in a bucket of dye till they take up the colour.

Fingers Mcginty · 01-09-2022 2:33pm

OK lesson learned....thanks for the replies. I was hoping to have a rockery bursting with colour. What are my options ...dig them out and plant the real thing? The tips are all white and the died colour remains at the base of each plant so they're still alive.

Alun · 01-09-2022 3:54pm

The link is still working, they're just out of stock. Scroll down far enough and you'll see them.

Alun · 01-09-2022 3:59pm

If it was me, I'd get rid of them and replace with natural coloured ones. They're available in white and various shades of pink and purple.

looksee · 01-09-2022 4:16pm

Oh yes, I scrolled down - those are the ones. If they survive they will be eventually white but not all that interesting. I'd replace them with some more natural coloured ones.

Fingers Mcginty · 02-09-2022 6:43am

.... would now be an OK time to replace them or should i wait until next year?

looksee · 02-09-2022 7:27am

You will be buying potted plants so you can replace them whenever you see suitable heathers for sale. You might be better to wait until the dry spell is over as the ground is exceptionally dry at the moment. If you do plant now, having dug a planting hole pour several litres (depending on what kind of soil you have) of water into it before putting in the plant, this is much more effective than sprinkling water on top which won't make any impression at all. Water generously while the dry spell lasts. Once they are established they will cope with drought very well.

what are these heathers called?

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