It was magical to walk through the deer paths with heather growing all around. Some experiences are so precious and distinct that they stay with you for a lifetime. A trek through the boggy mountains in Wicklow amidst these stunning blooms will be etched in my memory forever.

The heather plant is a native of Ireland. It is an evergreen low-growing shrub which can grow about 60 cm tall and up to 90 cm wide. It is winter hardy and drought tolerant. It thrives in well-drained soil. They love sunshine so pick a spot in your garden that gets about 6 to 8 hours of sunlight. If pruned well, you will have blooms in every season.

There is much debate about the difference between the heather and the heath. To me, they look like sisters. Both belong to the Ericaceae family but are botanically different. Irish heather covers the mountains like an ethereal carpet of gentle pink and purple and it is a sight to behold. Packed in the lush abundance of wild ferns these little colorful blooms are a dream.

Now, what’s not to love about these gentle blooms? I’m planting a heather in my garden this week. Are you??? 😊