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Young Daboecia cantabrica f. alba approximately 7 inches tall in a rock garden with sandy acid soil bearing upright flowering stems with pure white nodding urn-shaped flowers in racemes, small oval leaves with white undersides, September, with Erica cinerea and Genista pilosa companions.
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Broadleaf Evergreen Shrubs

Daboecia cantabrica f. alba

White Irish Heath

Ericaceae
Atlantic coast of western Europe — western Ireland, Iberian Peninsula, and the Azores; white form occurs naturally within the species range on acidic heathlands and bogs

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At a Glance

TypeShrub
HabitMounding
FoliageEvergreen
Height12-18 inches (30-45 cm)
Width18-24 inches (45-60 cm)
Maturity4 years

Growing Zones

USDA Hardiness Zones

5 - 8
Zone 5Zone 6Zone 7Zone 8
These zones indicate the coldest temperatures this plant can typically survive.
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Frost Tolerancehardy

Key Features

Attracts PollinatorsAttracts ButterfliesDeer ResistantContainer Friendly
Maintenancemoderate

Overview

Daboecia cantabrica f. alba is white Irish heath (white St. Dabeoc's heath), a mounding evergreen shrub growing 12-18 inches (30-45 cm) tall and 18-24 inches (45-60 cm) wide. Pure white urn-shaped flowers 0.4-0.5 inch (10-13 mm) in terminal racemes of 3-10 from June through October (16 weeks). Glossy dark green elliptic leaves 0.3-0.5 inch (8-13 mm), distinctly white beneath. In Ericaceae. Forma alba = white-flowered form. A naturally occurring white variant of D. cantabrica found within the species' native range. The urn-shaped flowers are 3-4 times larger than those of Erica and Calluna. All cultural requirements identical to the purple-flowered species. Requires acidic soil (pH 4.5-6.0) — chlorosis in alkaline conditions. This acid soil requirement is the primary cultural limitation. Not drought-tolerant. Shear back by half in early spring to maintain compact form. Native to the Atlantic coast of western Europe. Deer-resistant. Non-toxic. Zones 5-8. Part sun to full sun. Growth rate is moderate.

Native Range

Native to the Atlantic coast of western Europe — western Ireland, Iberian Peninsula, and the Azores. The white form occurs naturally within the species range on acidic heathlands and bogs.

Suggested Uses

Grown in heather gardens, acidic borders, and in containers of at least 3 gallons (11 L) with acidic mix, spaced 18-24 inches (45-60 cm). White flowers. Long bloom (16 weeks). Acid soil required. Non-toxic. Zones 5-8.

How to Identify

Identified by pure white urn-shaped flowers (larger than Erica/Calluna) in terminal racemes on a low mounding evergreen shrub with small glossy dark green leaves white beneath. Distinguished from the species by white flowers (vs. purple-magenta). In Ericaceae.

Appearance

Size & Dimensions

Height1' - 1'6"
Width/Spread1'6" - 2'

Reaches mature size in approximately 4 years

Colors

Flower Colors

white

Foliage Colors

green

Fall Foliage Colors

no change

Bloom Information

Bloom Period

~16 weeks
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SummerFall
Summer through fall (June-October). Pure white urn-shaped flowers 0.4-0.5 inch (10-13 mm) in terminal racemes of 3-10. 16 weeks. Bee- and butterfly-visited.

Detailed Descriptions

Flower Description

Pure white, urn-shaped (urceolate), 0.4-0.5 inch (10-13 mm); in terminal racemes of 3-10 nodding flowers; June through October

Foliage Description

Glossy dark green above, distinctly white beneath from dense glandular hairs, small, elliptic, 0.3-0.5 inch (8-13 mm); alternate on wiry stems; evergreen year-round

Growing Conditions

Sun Requirements

Full SunPartial Shade
Requires 4-8 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
peatsandloam
Drainagewell drained

Water & Climate

Water Needs

Medium

Frost Tolerance

hardy

Time to Maturity

3-5 years

Care & Maintenance

Care Guide

Part sun to full sun (4-8 hours). Well-drained acidic soil pH 4.5-6.0. Not drought-tolerant. Shear back by half in early spring (March-April). Acidic soil required. All cultural requirements identical to the purple-flowered species. Deer-resistant. Non-toxic. Zones 5-8.

Pruning

Shear the entire plant back by half in early spring (March-April) before new growth. Prevents legginess. Do not cut below the green foliage line into bare wood.

Pruning Schedule

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early spring

Maintenance Level

moderate

Container Growing

✓ Suitable for container growing

Minimum container size: 3 gallons

⚠️ Toxicity Warning

Non-toxic