How cold can the European heather withstand before blooming?
Let me share with everyone some small experiences in maintaining the green plants of the extremely cold-resistant and beautiful plant, and then let the editor introduce to the netizens.
As the saying goes, "A fall of rain brings a drop in temperature." Recently, it has been raining for several days in a row, and the temperature has also dropped significantly. Many cold-sensitive flowers and grasses have yellowed leaves or shed leaves and entered a state of low-temperature semi-dormancy. Many flower friends from Northeast China and Inner Mongolia have inquired with me about cold-resistant plants that can be planted in the ground. I have written about many cold-resistant varieties before, such as hydrangea, hellebore, Chinese rose, and clematis. But today, I want to introduce an extremely cold-resistant plant that can bloom in the snow and will not die even in temperatures as low as -20 degrees Celsius—the European heather.
European heather is an evergreen shrub of the Heath family. Its original habitat is in Northern Europe and it is the national flower of Norway. As a world-renowned winter flower, European heather is widely planted around the world, and many breeders are studying hybrid varieties of European heather. Now, there are also many varieties of European heather introduced to China, probably dozens of them, and new ones are still being introduced every year.
Because there are many varieties of European heather, there is also a great difference in height among different varieties. There are mini varieties that are only 20 to 30 centimeters high, as well as tall varieties over 1 meter high. Flower friends who grow in pots are recommended to choose smaller types, while those who plant in the ground can freely choose the varieties they like.
As one of the main ornamental flowers in winter, European heather has excellent cold resistance. According to the data, all varieties of European heather can withstand temperatures as low as -20 degrees Celsius, and some varieties can even withstand temperatures as low as -30 degrees Celsius. The leaves of European heather are needle-like and similar to the leaves of pine trees. These leaves remain green throughout the year and do not turn yellow or shed leaves even in the cold winter.
How cold can the European heather withstand before blooming?
The flowers of European heather are small, but fortunately, it blooms in large quantities, with dozens or even hundreds of flowers on a single twig. The flowers bloom between the leaves, with bright colors such as pink, white, and purple, and they can also emit a fragrance. No matter whether it's windy or snowy, it continues to bloom throughout the winter.
Key points for maintenance
The blooming period of European heather in China is mainly from October to the following March. If you want to plant it, you should start in the fall, otherwise, you will miss the flowering period. Long periods of low environmental temperatures are conducive to the differentiation of flower buds in European heather, so flower friends who grow in pots should not plant them in warm rooms and try to keep the temperature below 10 degrees Celsius before flowering. In terms of temperature, it is more advantageous to plant European heather in the north than in the south. The winters in the north are colder and longer, so you can enjoy the European heather for a longer time. In the south, where the winter temperatures are too high, European heather cannot bloom.
Lighting should be paid special attention to. Winter light is inherently much weaker than in other seasons, but if you want European heather to bloom, it must absorb enough ultraviolet light for photosynthesis. Therefore, flower friends who plant European heather in the ground must plant it in the best location for winter sunlight. If possible, flower friends who grow in pots should also try to place them in a position with good outdoor sunlight.