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Plant This Flowering Ground Cover for Texture, Color and Wildlife
False heather, also called Mexican heather, adds color to gardens with flowers that welcome butterflies and hummingbirds
Versatility is the first word that comes to mind when talking about false heather (Cuphea hyssopifolia), also commonly called Mexican heather. This is due to its ability to grow in so many different areas and climates. While it’s not a true heather, its name comes from its lacy foliage and low growth habit.
Grown as a perennial throughout much of the southern half of the U.S., this shrubby ground cover is also used as an annual in colder climates, or brought inside to overwinter. The combination of small leaves and flowers adds a delicate touch of lush green with a splash of purple to landscapes. Whether planted in the ground as a border or used in a container, false heather can find a home in almost any garden.
Grown as a perennial throughout much of the southern half of the U.S., this shrubby ground cover is also used as an annual in colder climates, or brought inside to overwinter. The combination of small leaves and flowers adds a delicate touch of lush green with a splash of purple to landscapes. Whether planted in the ground as a border or used in a container, false heather can find a home in almost any garden.
A honeybee on false heather flowers; photo by Maja Dumat
Photo by Maja Dumat
Distinguishing traits. All elements of this plant add fine texture to the garden, from its small, bright green leaves to the six-petaled lavender-pink blossoms. White and pink varieties are available as well.
In areas that experience mild winters, Zone 8 and above, blooming begins in spring and lasts through fall. In colder climates, flowering starts in summer and goes into early fall.
Distinguishing traits. All elements of this plant add fine texture to the garden, from its small, bright green leaves to the six-petaled lavender-pink blossoms. White and pink varieties are available as well.
In areas that experience mild winters, Zone 8 and above, blooming begins in spring and lasts through fall. In colder climates, flowering starts in summer and goes into early fall.
Photo by Maja Dumat
How to use it. False heather’s shape and size make it an excellent choice for edging a border, lining a pathway or framing the edge of a raised bed.
This Central American native can also be used as an annual and planted in containers or flower beds. For a cool color palette, pair it with white-flowering varieties of angelonia, impatiens, petunia and vinca. Hanging baskets are a welcome spot for false heather; try pairing it in one with white-flowering fan flower (Scaevola spp.).
How to use it. False heather’s shape and size make it an excellent choice for edging a border, lining a pathway or framing the edge of a raised bed.
This Central American native can also be used as an annual and planted in containers or flower beds. For a cool color palette, pair it with white-flowering varieties of angelonia, impatiens, petunia and vinca. Hanging baskets are a welcome spot for false heather; try pairing it in one with white-flowering fan flower (Scaevola spp.).
Planting notes. While false heather is not fussy about soil type, clay soil should be avoided or amended to improve drainage. Plant false heather in an area that receives full or partial shade (plant it in partial shade if your climate is hot and arid).
If you grow it outside all year, prune back this perennial ground cover to half its size to promote a compact growth habit. Fertilize in spring once the danger of frost has passed.
False heather is treated as an annual in cold-winter climates but can also be brought inside to overwinter; place it by a warm, sunny window.
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If you grow it outside all year, prune back this perennial ground cover to half its size to promote a compact growth habit. Fertilize in spring once the danger of frost has passed.
False heather is treated as an annual in cold-winter climates but can also be brought inside to overwinter; place it by a warm, sunny window.
More
How to Design a Colorful Flower Bed
6 Steps to Creating Your Butterfly Garden
See more Great Design Plants
Botanical name: Cuphea hyssopifolia
Common names: False heather, Mexican heather, Hawaiian heather
Origin: Native to Mexico and Central America
Where it will grow: Hardy to 10 degrees Fahrenheit, or minus 12.2 degrees Celsius (USDA Zone 8; find your zone)
Water requirement: Moderate
Light requirement: Full sun or filtered shade; must have filtered shade in low-desert zones
Mature size: 1 foot to 2 feet tall and wide
Benefits and tolerances: Moderately drought-tolerant; deer-resistant; attracts butterflies and hummingbirds
Seasonal interest: Lavender-pink flowers appear in summer through early fall (spring through fall in mild-winter climates)
When to plant: Spring or summer