Available now, please give Bud Bloomers heathers a try

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A few years ago, I had the pleasure of speaking to the International Heather Society at their meeting in Victoria, and what a great learning experience. I had no idea of the strong European connection to the many varieties of heathers.

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From the numerous late-summer-blooming varieties of callunas (Scotch heathers) to the large array of ericas — a heather native to many parts of the world — I discovered it was possible to enjoy these versatile plants almost year-round.

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On display at their meeting were samples of how heathers could be used. For cooler months of the year, they had created stunning living wreaths using heathers in tiny pots, mixed in with other greens. Window boxes and planters were exquisitely designed and featured a wide selection of different heathers and colourful conifers. Picture frames were used to showcase other wonderful heather displays. Fresh cut bouquets of heathers and callunas, as well as dried arrangements, provided just a glimpse of how large and diverse this family of plants is and how they could be used indoors and outside our homes.

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Before speaking, I was lucky to be seated next to Kurt Kramer and his wife, Anne Marie. At that time, the Kramers were heather growers and breeders in Germany and were known worldwide for their famous Kramer’s Red variety. My German was about as good as his English. His wife, however, spoke fluent English, and she graciously translated our conversation.

David Wilson of Wilson’s Nursery, a Chilliwack heather propagator and grower, knew Kurt quite well and shared a story about the Kramers’ newest breeding success — a calluna called Bud Bloomer. In their native European habitat, a few callunas bloomed for an extended period, well into November and beyond. Some of these were introduced in the 1920s and ’30s and more just after the war in the 1940s and ’50s. Kramer was intrigued by these long-blooming varieties and began breeding them to improve their quality, colour range and blossom size.

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Kramer was also concerned that the heathers taken to cemeteries to remember friends and family members on All Saints’ Day in November were Erica gracilis — a variety that isn’t hardy and doesn’t last well as a remembrance. He knew his Bud Bloomers were far hardier, offered a great colour selection and survived German winters.

What is particularly interesting about Bud Bloomers is that their uniquely shaped flower buds swell with colour, but they never really open. This protects them from rain and poor weather, keeping them fresh-looking and vibrant all through their rather long flowering period. In the late 1980s and ’90s, Dutch heather breeders were also doing a great deal of Bud Bloomer breeding and coming up with a series of new varieties, thus expanding their popularity. So, how successful have these Bud Bloomer heathers been, not only in Germany, but also around the world? Well, tens-of-millions are now sold each year, and they’re the heathers of choice on All Saints’ Day.

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Because of his close connection to Kurt Kramer, Wilson was one of the first producers of Bud Bloomer heathers in B.C. He sold cuttings to local and U.S. growers, as well as producing finished product for the retail market. Today, he and his wife, while semi-retired, are still operating a mail order business and selling mini roses and heathers online.

Qualitree Propagators Inc., a very innovative mass producer of lavenders and Christmas novelty plants, like gaultherias, is also a leader in Bud Bloomer production. As well as supplying B.C. and Canada, this amazing Chilliwack nursery grows and ships Bud Bloomer heathers across North America.

In the early days of Bud Bloomer production, the French were the first to do some value adding by painting the white varieties in bright colours of blue, purple and violet. The rest of Europe picked up on this trend to the point that about 20 per cent of the Bud Bloomer production is being painted. Qualitree introduced this concept quite a few years ago, and it has been a hit here also, especially with the younger gardening demographic.

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Value adding has been a key reason for the success of Bud Bloomers. One of the most innovative uses has been planting two or three varieties together for a charming mixed bouquet of colours. Whites, combined with purples and pinks, create a refreshing late summer and autumn lift. These combos work equally as well in containers or garden bed plantings.

Bud Bloomers are ideal candidates for fall planters because they play nicely with so many evergreen perennials, like heucheras, and broadleaves, such as nandinas, and even some colourful conifers. Refreshing your window boxes with fall pansies and trailing grasses is a great thing to do at this time of year, and the addition of Bud Bloomer heathers will really make them pop.

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If you’re a creative type and plan to make winter hanging baskets or giant living wreaths this fall, these special callunas will add a wonderful finishing touch. In some situations, Bud Bloomers last into winter and can even be used to highlight your Christmas décor.

In terms of location in the garden, they prefer full sun, but a touch of shade, between 11 a.m. and 3 p.m., which would make a real difference during times of intense heat. As with all heathers, the two situations to avoid are wet feet and very dry, sandy soils. They require good drainage for our wet seasons and serious moisture retention in our ever-increasing hot summers. To support good drainage, the planting hole should be filled with a 50/50 mix of quality soil and ground fir or hemlock bark mulch.

In terms of hardiness, Bud Bloomers are rated as Zone 5 plants, but even in this zone, they will need a warmer winter location or at least some protection. The loss of so many heathers last winter is certainly a testament to that reality. In our coldest winters, containers with Bud Bloomers will need to be wrapped with N’Sulate protective cloth.

Bud Bloomers are available across the province now, so please give them a try. They will add so much brightness and interest to your autumn décor.