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Daboecia spp.
St Dabeoc's heath
Overview
Daboecia is a small genus of two evergreen heath shrubs in the heather family (Ericaceae), native to western Europe and the Azores. The plants form low, spreading, wiry-stemmed mounds 8-24 inches (20-60 cm) tall, clothed in small alternate leaves 0.2-0.5 inch (5-12 mm) long that are dark green and glossy above and white-felted beneath, with rolled-under margins. From early summer into autumn slender upright racemes carry nodding, urn-shaped flowers 0.4-0.5 inch (10-13 mm) long, larger than those of most heathers, in shades of rose-purple, magenta, pink, and white. The flowers drop cleanly after fading rather than browning on the plant. Daboecia cantabrica, St Dabeoc's heath, grows on acidic heaths and rocky slopes along the Atlantic fringe of Europe, while D. azorica is confined to the Azores. The genus needs acid, free-draining soil and an open, sunny position, and is damaged by lime and by hard frost in colder areas. Its long flowering season and evergreen foliage place it among the heath-family shrubs grown in heather gardens and acid borders.
Native Range
Daboecia is native to western Europe and the Azores. D. cantabrica ranges along the Atlantic coast from Ireland and western France to northern Spain and Portugal, while D. azorica is endemic to the Azores. Both grow on acidic heath and rocky ground in mild, moist, oceanic climates.Suggested Uses
Daboecia is used in heather gardens, acid borders, rock gardens, and containers of ericaceous compost, often combined with heathers for a long succession of bloom. The low evergreen mounds work as ground cover on acidic soils. The summer-to-autumn flowers are visited by bees.How to Identify
Appearance
Size & Dimensions
Height8" - 2'
Width/Spread1' - 2'6"
Bloom Information
Daboecia flowers over a long season from early summer into mid-autumn, often June to October in mild climates. The nodding flowers open in succession up the racemes over many weeks. Spent flowers drop on their own, and light trimming after the main flush extends the display.
Detailed Descriptions
Flower Description
rose-purple to pink and whiteFoliage Description
dark greenGrowing Conditions
Sun Requirements
Requires 4-10 hours of direct sunlight daily
• Full Sun: 6+ hours of direct sunlight
• Partial Shade: 3-6 hours of direct sunlight
• Full Shade: Less than 3 hours of direct sunlight
Care & Maintenance
Care Guide
Daboecia grows in full sun to light shade on moist but free-draining, acidic, peaty or sandy soil and will not tolerate lime or chalk. Even moisture suits the genus, though established plants withstand short dry spells better than many heathers. The shrubs are reliably hardy to about USDA zone 6, with D. azorica more frost-tender. An annual mulch of acidic material keeps the shallow roots cool and moist. No serious pests affect the genus, though root rot can occur in wet, poorly drained ground. A light shear each year keeps the mounds compact and free-flowering.Pruning
A light shear in early spring, before new growth begins, removes the old flowered stems and keeps the mounds dense. Cutting back into bare old wood is avoided, as the shrubs regrow poorly from leafless stems. Removing spent racemes during summer prolongs flowering.Container Growing
Suitable for container growing
Minimum container size: 2 gallons