Heathers

[flirty41]

My garden has several different types of heathers in it, planted by the previous owner. I know nothing about heathers! They seem to be growing very wild, and I'm wondering if they can be cut back. Thanks.

[robber1]

Usually, they are trimmed after they have flowered,dont cut into the old wood.Different types flower in different seasons. Keeping then trimmed stops them from getting "leggy".

[WendyW]

I had several that were old and woody so last year, after they had flowered, I pruned them back to just above the old wood. Kill or cure!. This year they are brilliant ... very thick and bushy. I will certainly do it again.

[woofgang]

If you peg the new long growths down into pots of ericaceous earth or into the earth round the plant, then wait, the growths will root into the earth and give you lots of new plants

[doristwonk]

The moorland gamekeepers, who know a thing or two about heather, always burn whilst the heather is dormant. Since each variant is dormant in its own time only watching and waiting can tell you when to prune, but quite obviously you can be as vicious as you like with it.

[flirty41]

Sorry for the delay in responding! I've been off-line for a while and completely forgot I'd asked this question! Thanks for all your informative replies - I feel confident in tackling the heathers now, which seem to be taking over the place!