Daboecia cantabrica subsp. scotica 'William Buchanan'

RHS Plant Profile
Irish heath 'William Buchanan'

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Irish heath 'William Buchanan' RHS 2002

Synonyms

Daboecia cantabrica subsp. scotica 'William Buchanan'
Daboecia cantabrica 'William Buchanan'

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Shrubs
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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

Position

Full sun

Soil Types

Loam, Sand

Max Height

0.1-0.5 metres

Max Spread

0.1-0.5 metres

Size

Time to Maturity
5–10 years
Max Spread
0.1-0.5 metres
Max Height
0.1-0.5 metres

Growing Conditions

Loam Sand
Moisture
Well–drained
pH
Acid or Neutral

Position

Full sun
Aspect
South–facing or East–facing or West–facing
Exposure
Exposed or Sheltered
Hardiness

Hardiness Ratings

All ratings refer to the UK growing conditions unless otherwise stated. Minimum temperature ranges (in degrees C) are shown in brackets

  • H1A: under glass all year (>15C)
  • H1B: can be grown outside in the summer (10 - 15)
  • H1C: can be grown outside in the summer (5 - 10)
  • H2: tolerant of low temperatures, but not surviving being frozen (1 to 5)
  • H3: hardy in coastal and relatively mild parts of the UK (-5 to 1)
  • H4: hardy through most of the UK (-10 to -5)
  • H5: hardy in most places throughout the UK even in severe winters (-15 to -10)
  • H6: hardy in all of UK and northern Europe (-20 to -15)
  • H7: hardy in the severest European continental climates (< -20)
H5

Colour & Scent

Season Stem Flower Foliage Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Botanical Details

Family
Ericaceae
Native to GB/Ireland
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