Does ling heather need ericaceous soil?

[Matt84]

I have recently bought some ling heathers and am wondering whether they need ericaceous soil or can I just plant them straight into normal soil. I bought them to attract bees so would like to know what is the best way I can help them thrive?

Many thanks!

[Matt84]

P.S half of them are ericas(heathers) and the other are callunas(heaths)..I think that is right?

[Two_Sheds]

Calluna vulgaris is a calcifuge (lime-hater) and therefore must be planted in soil that is inclined towards the acidic BBC - h2g2 - Calluna - the Ling or True Heather

[rustylady]

Traditional ling grows on moorlands in very poor acidic soil.

[queen of the cobs]

can't you dig a big hole and put some ericaceous compost into it and thus have the best of both worlds? a lovely heather planted in your garden?

[Two_Sheds]

^^ the compost won't stay ericaceous though ... it's mixing with the normal soil all the time

[bluemoon]

The ling which grows around here is in peaty, acidic soil, so I would guess that it does.

[sarraceniac]

The usual way of making an area of soil acidic is to dig in loads of peat. This has three drawbacks - you have to repeat the exercise every couple of years, and unless you can get a supply of peat from a renewable source then it is no very ecologically sound. There is one further drawback - it would be expensive over the years. But as all grapes are rolling in cash I'm sure that won't bother you.