Enhancing Bio Diversity
Alongside the heather species, low numbers of other heathland species may be present such as dwarf gorse and fescue all helping to create a diverse heathland carpet.
SOURCE AND SUSTAINABILITY
Beautiful purple-carpeted heaths are an iconic feature of the UK’s landscape and are the result of hundreds of years of low-impact human activities such as livestock-grazing and scrub clearance.
However, large scale development and the decline of traditional farming methods have caused many of these precious habitats to be lost – in fact, over 80% of lowland heathland in the UK has been lost in just 200 years.
Heathlands also form a very important habitat for many species of wildlife including Adders, Common Lizard, Woodlark and the ground nesting Nightjar.
HEATHER TURF
Creating an environment suitable for your heather to be laid on is essential. The area should be free draining in nature and ideally very slightly raised above surrounding grass to create definition and encourage a free draining environment. Look for signs of where heather may have been previously abundant as these tend to be suitable. A pH of 5.0-5.5 is ideal for heather growth and the availability of iron in the soil is an important nutrient for heathers.
Like any plant, heather will need water in the first couple of seasons to allow establishment of roots but once established the plant will survive in a very dry environment.
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Thorney, Newark, Nottinghamshire,
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