painted heathers

What is a painted heather?
is it what I think it is?
does the colour grow out?
and last of all...... Why?

 

I must admit, I saw a range of heathers at a local garden centre I visited recently that looked like they had been artifically dyed, the range of yellows greens reds etc were that spectacular, but after searching the net for painted heathers I cannot find anything at all on whether any are being artifically coloured, so it is maybe just a striking range of colours? unless anyone knows different?

 

just found this so looks like you are correct

so same as you say WHY?

http://avea.co.uk/invisionboard/index.php?act=ST&f=18&t=53&s=e0bbf92c5fddce53543b7e1cd25c6088

 

Because colour sells.

 

There is no way that these colours are natural, just one look will tell you that. Flourescent Green, blue, yellow, orange etc.

First tropical fish were ruined by these people, whoever they are,(when was the last time you saw a natural coloured colisa lalia?) now plants.

Each to his own I suppose, but I would plant any given to me at the bottom of the bin.

 

I also do not like colouring applied to plants or cut flowers yet it is becoming increasingly common. However, I am advised in respect of the garish heathers, the vegetable die grows out in time, and they are none the worse for it except the way they look.

 

I consider it one big con trick, its false colouring and it doesn't state that when you buy.
I also cannot stand cacti with false flowers actually pinned into the plant and the other day I saw small plants of "bird of paradise" (strelitzia) with false flowers. BEWARE.

 

You're right. I couldn't believe it when I saw those strelitzia . I thought from a distance that they were dwarfs, but on looking closer I found they weren't even good copies of the flowers. I thought they had been moved from the Christmas decoration area, but don't get me started on that one.

[ 21. November 2005, 08:39 PM: Message edited by: Rich ]

 

Thanks for the replys, I suspected that they were false but could not find any information about them anywhere. I must admit they do look very different and I can see how people would be tempted to buy them, although I think it's a bit naughty if the colour grows out and you end up with a different plant to the one you bought.
I am new to gardening and like to do my homework before I part with my hard earned cash to buy a new plant. Now I have found you guys on the gardening forum I think it will be a lot easier.
Once again thank you

p.s I seem to have trouble importing my own avatar, if somebody could help me with that I would be very grateful.
OSX Tiger Safari

 

I bought a few "Painted Heathers" earlier in the year and they were just that... "painted". The pots had definate evidence of overspray.

I didnt mind too much as the new growth gives a clear indication that the plants are doing well and the bright green goes well with the sprayed colours

[ 23. November 2005, 06:25 AM: Message edited by: IckleWeed ]

 

Just recieved the Dec. issue of "The Garden" RHS journal.
First artical is about someone who buys car spray paint, and sprays the dead seed heads of last summers plants while still in the garden. I didn't bother to read it all.
I know 'everyone to their own thing' and all that, but, is it really gardening?

:confused:

 

All sounds rather fishy to me and a travesty of good plantsmanship.