© Adam Schneider, some rights reserved (CC-BY-NC) · iNaturalist
Phyllodoce spp.
mountain heath
Arctic and alpine Northern Hemisphere
Overview
Phyllodoce spp. is a genus of about seven low evergreen shrubs in the family Ericaceae, found in cold arctic, alpine, and subalpine habitats across the Northern Hemisphere. Plants form spreading mats or low cushions 4-16 inches (10-40 cm) tall, with crowded, needle-like to narrowly linear leaves 0.2-0.6 inch (5-15 mm) long that give the stems a heath-like texture and persist through winter. From late spring into summer, nodding urn- to bell-shaped flowers 0.2-0.4 inch (5-10 mm) long are carried singly or in small terminal clusters on slender, often glandular stalks; flower color spans pink and rose-purple in Phyllodoce empetriformis, pale yellow-green in P. glanduliflora, and blue-purple in P. caerulea. Dry capsules follow and split to release small seeds. The genus grows on acidic, peaty, gritty soils in snowbed hollows, heath, and rocky alpine slopes where snow lies late and summers are cool and moist. Phyllodoce spp. is intolerant of heat, drought, and alkaline soil, and away from cool, humus-rich, acidic conditions it is short-lived, which restricts it to rock gardens, peat beds, and cool-climate gardens.
Native Range
Phyllodoce spp. is native to arctic and mountain regions of North America, Europe, and Asia, including the Rocky Mountains, Cascades, Alps, Scandinavia, and northern Japan. It grows on acidic alpine and subalpine heath, snowbed sites, and rocky slopes.Suggested Uses
Used in rock gardens, peat beds, troughs, and alpine houses in cool-climate regions. Combines with other acid-loving alpines such as Cassiope spp. and dwarf rhododendrons on north-facing or cool aspects.How to Identify
Appearance
Size & Dimensions
Height4" - 1'4"
Width/Spread8" - 2'
Bloom Information
Detailed Descriptions
Flower Description
Pink, yellow-green, or blue-purpleFoliage Description
Dark greenGrowing Conditions
Sun Requirements
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
Care & Maintenance
Care Guide
Grow Phyllodoce spp. in full sun to part shade in cool-summer climates on moist, acidic, humus-rich, gritty soil that drains freely yet never dries out. The shallow roots need constant cool moisture, and a mulch of acidic leaf mold or grit helps maintain it. Plants resent heat, drought, and lime, and decline quickly where summers are hot or soils are alkaline. They are fully cold-hardy and benefit from reliable winter snow cover or a protective mulch. Propagation is by cuttings or layering, as the genus establishes slowly. Little feeding is needed, and a low-nutrient acidic regime suits it.Pruning
Pruning is generally unnecessary. Lightly trim straggly shoots after flowering to keep mats compact. Remove any dead or winter-burned stems in spring.Container Growing
✓ Suitable for container growing
Minimum container size: 2 gallons