Purple Irish heath is thriving in a well-drained, sunny spot.

Purple Irish heath, Daboecia cantabrica ‘Atropurpurea’, or St. Dabeoc’s heath hails from Ireland and the Iberian peninsula.  The low mounds of evergreen foliage are topped from early summer to fall with pinkish-purple bells.  We’ve been growing this lovely little plant since 2009 in our Xeric Garden where it mixes happily with other plants requiring excellent drainage.  Ultimately it will grow to about 18″ tall and 30″ wide.  It can be pruned in spring as it comes into growth to create a bushier, denser plant.

Follow me at @jcramark because life is too short for boring plants.

The rosy-pink bells are quite showy over an extended period.

See what else is going on http://www.ncsu.edu/jcraulstonarboretum