Calluna vulg. 'Garden Girls'® twin P7

Planting Calluna vulgaris ‘Garden Girls Twin’®

Calluna vulgaris ‘Garden Girls Twin’® is a decorative combination of two compact bud-flowering heathers, usually selected in contrasting colours. The flower buds remain closed instead of opening fully, allowing them to retain their colour for an extended period through autumn and into winter. This evergreen display is ideal for containers, window boxes, rock gardens, border edges and seasonal entrance planting.

• Choose an open position in full sun. Strong light encourages compact growth, vivid bud colour and healthy foliage.

• Light partial shade is tolerated, but plants grown in heavy shade may become loose, greener and less colourful.

• Select a location with good airflow while avoiding severe, drying winds that may scorch the fine foliage.

• Plant in acidic, humus-rich, moisture-retentive but well-drained soil. Calluna generally performs best at a pH between approximately 4.5 and 6.

• Avoid chalky or strongly alkaline ground. Where garden soil is unsuitable, keep the twin arrangement in a container filled with fresh ericaceous compost.

• Water the root ball thoroughly before planting. Dig a hole slightly wider than the roots and approximately the same depth.

• Gently loosen any tightly matted outer roots without pulling the two plants apart.

• Position the top of the root ball level with the surrounding soil. Backfill carefully, firm gently and water generously.

• Apply a light mulch of composted pine bark or leaf mould, keeping it clear of the crowns and lower stems.

Watering, Feeding and Seasonal Care

Calluna has a fine, fibrous root system that can dry quickly, particularly while establishing or growing in a container. It requires reliable moisture but will decline in saturated compost.

• Water regularly throughout the first growing season. Apply water slowly over the complete root area rather than wetting only the surface.

• Continue watering established plants during prolonged dry weather, especially while the colourful buds and fresh shoots are developing.

• Use collected rainwater whenever possible. In hard-water areas, repeated use of alkaline tap water may gradually increase the soil or compost pH.

• Check container displays frequently because they can dry rapidly during sunny, windy or unexpectedly mild conditions.

• Water thoroughly until excess moisture drains from the base. Empty saucers and decorative outer pots promptly.

• Reduce watering during cool, wet periods, but do not allow the root ball to become completely dry.

• Apply a small amount of fertiliser formulated for acid-loving plants in spring if growth appears weak.

• Avoid excessive or high-nitrogen feeding, which can produce soft, open growth and reduce the quality of the autumn display.

• Renew the acidic organic mulch annually to conserve moisture, suppress weeds and support suitable soil conditions.

• Protect exposed containers during prolonged severe frost by insulating the pot or moving it into a sheltered outdoor position.

Pruning and Ongoing Maintenance

Light annual pruning keeps ‘Garden Girls Twin’® compact and helps prevent the plants from becoming woody, open or bare in their centres.

• Prune in spring after the decorative winter display has finished and before vigorous new growth begins.

• Use clean shears or secateurs to remove the old flower spikes and lightly shorten the leafy growth immediately beneath them.

• Follow the natural rounded outline of the arrangement instead of cutting both plants into a flat or rigid shape.

• Avoid pruning deeply into old, bare wood because Calluna may not produce reliable new growth from leafless stems.

• Remove dead, damaged, diseased or frost-blackened shoots whenever they become apparent.

• The two heathers may grow at slightly different rates. Lightly trim the more vigorous plant if it begins to overwhelm its companion.

• Hand-weed carefully around the arrangement. Deep hoeing or cultivation can damage the shallow, fibrous roots.

• Maintain good airflow around the foliage to reduce grey mould and other fungal problems during damp weather.

• Inspect the plants periodically for spider mites and scale insects, although healthy outdoor heathers rarely experience serious infestations.

• Brown foliage may indicate drought, waterlogging, frost damage, alkaline soil or root disease. Check moisture and drainage before applying fertiliser.

• Replace an individual plant if it dies or becomes extensively bare, as severe renovation pruning is unlikely to restore compact growth.

• Repot the twin display every two or three years using fresh ericaceous compost and a slightly larger container with reliable drainage.

• Keep neighbouring plants from overshadowing the heathers or competing heavily for water.

• With full sun, acidic compost, dependable moisture and annual spring pruning, Calluna vulgaris ‘Garden Girls Twin’® will provide long-lasting colour and attractive evergreen texture throughout autumn and winter

• Size
  P7

Kindly be aware when mix/ mixed/ assorted/ varieties is mention you will receive ONLY ONE plant/ item, which will be selected for delivery, photos may show different varieties available - which may also vary 

 
We currently only deliver within the island of Ireland, other countries can be quoted for by contacting [email protected] or via telephone on 06964084
 

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All standard deliveries will be completed within 5-7 working days via DPD Couriers, any delay to this delivery time, the customer will be notified by One of our staff.

The in-Store delivery charge will vary compared with online, in-store delivery charge is done on a case by case basis. 

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Our live plants are packed with care and diligence by our staff, our horticulturists review each plant before despatch to ensure quality is maintained.
Live Plant delivery charges are not calculated on weight but on the space required per package to ensure safe delivery, so delivery charges may vary as some plants require more space than others when packed.
All live plants are despatched within 3-5 working days where possible, our couriers aim to deliver within 48 hours of despatch from our Garden Centre to allow the plant to arrive in healthy condition.
 

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