Not the plant you're looking for? Search over 300,000 plants

Daboecia cantabrica subsp. scotica 'William Buchanan'
  • RHS AGM

Irish heath 'William Buchanan'

A compact, spreading dwarf evergreen shrub with small dark green leaves and erect racemes of deep red-purple, urn-shaped flowers from late spring to autumn

Synonyms
Daboecia cantabrica subsp. scotica 'William Buchanan'
Daboecia cantabrica 'William Buchanan'
Buy this plant
Size
Ultimate height
0.1–0.5 metres
Time to ultimate height
5–10 years
Ultimate spread
0.1–0.5 metres
Growing conditions
Loam
Sand
Moisture
Well–drained
pH
Acid, Neutral
Colour & scent
StemFlowerFoliageFruit
Spring Red Purple Green
Summer Red Purple Green
Autumn Red Purple Green
Winter Green
Position
  • Full sun
Aspect

South–facing or East–facing or West–facing

Exposure
Exposed or Sheltered
Hardiness
H5
Botanical details
Family
Ericaceae
Native to the UK
No
Foliage
Evergreen
Habit
Bushy
Genus

Daboecia are dwarf evergreen shrubs with small, leathery dark green leaves, paler beneath, and terminal racemes or panicles of relatively large, nodding, urn-shaped flowers from early summer to autumn

Name status

Accepted

How to grow

Cultivation

Grows well in acid soil but will tolerate neutral sites. Tolerant of partial shade. Can be grown in containers in ericaceous compost. See Hardy heathers for further advice

Propagation

Propagate by semi-hardwood cuttings in midsummer

Suggested planting locations and garden types
  • City and courtyard gardens
  • Coastal
  • Patio and container plants
  • Cottage and informal garden
  • Rock garden
  • Flower borders and beds
  • Banks and slopes
  • Ground cover
Pruning

Pruning group 10 in early to mid spring

Pests

Generally pest-free

Diseases

Generally disease-free

Get involved

The Royal Horticultural Society is the UK’s leading gardening charity. We aim to enrich everyone’s life through plants, and make the UK a greener and more beautiful place.