Heather plants are a great addition to any garden. With their delicate flowers and interesting foliage, they provide year-round beauty and interest. But where are the best places to purchase these lovely plants? I’ve done some research and have a few recommendations for quality heather retailers.
Online Nurseries Specializing in Heather
If you want access to a wide selection of heather cultivars, online nurseries are a great option. Specialty nurseries that focus specifically on heathers allow you to browse and buy plants that may be hard to find elsewhere. Here are two top picks:
Digging Dog Nursery
Based in California, Digging Dog Nursery has specialized in unusual and hard-to-find perennials, shrubs, and vines since 1980. Their selection of heather includes both Erica and Calluna species and cultivars, like Erica carnea ‘Springwood White’ and Calluna vulgaris ‘Blazeaway.’ The website provides detailed information on bloom time, size, hardiness, and growth habits. I like that you can preorder plants for future shipping seasons.
The Heather Farm
This specialty nursery in Michigan offers one of the largest selections of heather plants in the U.S Browse over 100 varieties of Calluna and Erica on their website, where you’ll find photos and detailed descriptions. Options include heathers for spring, summer, and winter blooms Their plants are healthy, well-established, and ready for the garden.
Local Garden Centers
Another option is shopping for heather plants at local garden centers in your area The benefit is you can see and select specific plants in person Availability and selection will vary by location and season, I recommend calling ahead to check if the garden center carries heather before making a trip, A few things to look for
- Healthy foliage and root systems
- Plants labeled with variety names
- Established plants in 1-2 gallon pots, not just small 4″ starters
Some of the best garden centers known for their heather selection are:
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High Country Gardens (New Mexico) – Carries a wide variety of hardy heather from growers like The Heather Farm. Zone 5-7 varieties.
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Joy Creek Nursery (Oregon) – Specializes in ornamental plants. Good selection of hardy heather species and cultivars.
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Well-Sweep Herb Farm (New Jersey) – Offers about 30 varieties of winter- and summer-blooming Erica and Calluna.
Big Box Stores: Home Depot and Best Buy
For convenience and affordability, DIYers can also find heather plants at big box stores like Home Depot and Best Buy. While the selection is smaller, focusing on the most common varieties, you can often find good starter plants for under $20.
At Home Depot, look for Erica and Calluna in 1-2 quart pots in the outdoor plant/shrub section. The online catalog shows what’s available by store location. Best Buy also carries a small assortment of heather in their garden department, though availability varies seasonally.
What to Look for When Buying Heather
When selecting heather plants, either online or in person, keep these tips in mind:
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Choose plants that are healthy and vigorous, with no signs of disease or pests on the leaves and flowers. Avoid plants that look yellow, wilted, or stressed.
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Look for well-established root systems. Check that the roots are not loose in the pot or sticking out of drainage holes.
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For blooming plants, make sure buds and flowers look plentiful and robust.
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When buying multiple plants, select ones of similar size so they grow at the same rate once planted.
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With mail order, timing matters. Buy when plants are dormant in winter or spring.
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Always check tags for the variety name, as heathers have different bloom seasons, colors, growth habits, and hardiness.
By purchasing your heather plants from reputable online and local sources, you’ll get quality selections that are ready to provide beauty in your garden for years to come. Take your time choosing plants and care for them properly, and you’ll be rewarded with a gorgeous heather collection.
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Everything You Need to Know About Heather & Calluna
FAQ
When should I buy heather plants?
Heathers are best planted in spring, although some can be planted in autumn. Winter-flowering heathers are widely available from autumn onwards, to plant as winter bedding in containers and borders.
Do heather come back every year?
Many heathers turn brown in winter, and then grow again in spring. This is nothing to worry about. However, a brown heather that doesn’t regrow is most likely dead.
Where is the best place to plant heather?
If possible, site your heather plants so the main view is from the south, as foliage heathers always colour better on their southern side. Planting heathers where they will enjoy 6+ hours of sunlight each day is best for foliage effect, with afternoon shade in hotter areas.
Where can you find heather?
The lowland heaths of southern England and south Wales have the heather showing off at is best alongside the golden yellow of gorse. For a different kind of purple, you can see thousands of autumn crocus or “meadow saffron” in damp meadows and woodland rides/clearings.