Daboecia - Irish Heath, St. Dabeoc's Heath

(Daboe'cia)

DESCRIPTION: This group consists of only two evergreen shrubs from western Europe and the Azores. This group belongs to the Heath family and is related to the group, Erica. These shrubs are commonly known as Irish Heath and St. Daboec's Heath. D. cantabrica is a hardy, erect-growing shrub that can reach a height of up to 2 feet. Its thin stems are covered with small ovate or oblong, dark green leaves that are white beneath. Long spikes of rosy purple, bell-shaped flowers are borne from early summer to late fall. D. cantabrica var. Bicolor is an interesting form having white, rosy-purple and striped flowers on the same bush and often in the same cluster.

POTTING: Irish Heaths grow best in moist, but well-drained, peaty soil. Sandy soil to which quite a bit of organic matter has been added is the best mixture. A sunny location is best, though they will do fine in a partially shaded one where there is less threat of drought, though they tend to sprawl more rather than grow compactly. Plants of this group, however, can be pruned back severely unlike heaths belonging to other groups.

PROPAGATION: Seeds may be sown in sandy peat in a frame, in the spring or fall. Named varieties, which won't come true from seed, may be increased by taking short cuttings, in July or August. The cuttings should be inserted in sandy peat and covered by a bell jar or cold frame. When they've produced roots, allow air in, but don't remove the covering completely until spring.

VARIETIES: D. cantabrica & var. alba, atropurpurea, bicolor, David Moss, Praegerae, Waley's Red; D. scotica & var. Jack Drake, Silverwells, William Buchanan; D. azorica.

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