Daboecia spp.

St Dabeoc's heath

Attracts Pollinators Deer Resistant Container Friendly

SunFull Sun – Part Shade

HardinessZones 6–9

Overview

Daboecia spp. 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 spp. 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 spp. 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

Identify Daboecia spp. by its low evergreen mounds of wiry stems with small dark-green leaves that are white-felted beneath and have rolled-under edges. Upright racemes bear nodding, urn-shaped flowers 0.4-0.5 inch (10-13 mm) long, noticeably larger than the tiny bells of true heathers, in rose-purple, pink, or white. The faded flowers fall cleanly rather than persisting brown on the stem. The larger flowers and felted leaf undersides separate it from Erica spp. and Calluna spp..

Appearance

Size & Dimensions

Height8" - 2'

Width/Spread1' - 2'6"

Colors

Flower Colors

Foliage Colors

Fall Foliage Colors

Bloom Information

Bloom Period

~18 weeks

Summer Fall

Daboecia spp. 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 white

Foliage Description

dark green

Growing Conditions

Sun Requirements

SunFull Sun SunPartial Shade

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

Soil Requirements

pH Range4.5 - 6.0(Acidic)

357912

Soil Types

sand peat loam

Drainagewell drained

Water & Climate

Water Needs

Medium

Frost Tolerance

hardy

Time to Maturity

2-3 years

Care & Maintenance

Care Guide

Daboecia spp. 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.