Family: Ericaceae

Named after an Irish saint, these small, upright or prostrate evergreen shrubs are popular for rock gardens or the margins of pathways in cooler areas. The pretty, urn-shaped flowers may bloom for most of the year, but mainly through the summer into the autumn.

Species

D. azorica, zone 8, to 20 cm (8 in), pro­duces spikes of bright rose red flowers in the summer.

D. cantabrica, St Dabeoc's heath, zone 6, has an upright, spreading habit and grows to 60 cm (24 in). The green leaves are white on the undersides and the purplish red flowers are borne on spikes around 10 cm (4 in) long. The form alba has white flowers; 'Atropurpurea' produces deep purple-pink blooms; 'Bicolor' has purple and white blooms; and 'Praegerae' is pink.

Cultivation

These shrubs like a lime-free, peaty soil and full sun. Prune to remove spent flower heads. Propagate by seed, or by cuttings of half-ripe wood.

Climate

Best in cool to warm temperate climates.