Daboecia 'Jack Drake' Daboecia × scotica 'Jack Drake'

Water

Irish Heath 'Jack Drake' should be watered regularly to keep the soil consistently moist but not waterlogged, as they prefer slightly damp conditions. Typically, watering once a week with around 1 gallon of water should suffice, but adjust according to weather conditions more often during hot, dry spells and less during cool, rainy periods. Ensure the pot has good drainage to prevent root rot. During the winter, reduce watering as the plant's growth slows down.

Light

Irish Heath 'Jack Drake' thrives in a spot with full sun to partial shade. It prefers at least 6 hours of sunlight a day but can tolerate some light shade, especially in the hottest parts of the day. An east- or west-facing location where it can receive morning or evening sun is ideal for this plant.

Temperature

Irish Heath 'Jack Drake' can survive in a broad range of temperatures but prefers cooler climates. Ideally, keep it in conditions where temperatures range between 35 and 75 degrees Fahrenheit. It can withstand occasional dips below freezing, but prolonged exposure to temperatures below 20 degrees Fahrenheit can harm the plant.

Pruning

Irish Heath 'Jack Drake' should be pruned to maintain its shape and encourage bushy growth. Prune in early spring, after the last frost but before new growth starts. Cut back the previous year's flowering shoots to within an inch of the older woody framework. Prune approximately once a year or every other year, as needed.

Cleaning

As needed

Soil

Scottish Heath 'Jack Drake' thrives in acidic soil with a pH of 4.5 to 6.0. A mix of peat moss, perlite, and pine bark suits it best, providing good drainage and aeration.

Repotting

Scottish Heath 'Jack Drake' should be repotted every 2 to 3 years or when it outgrows its pot, using the aforementioned soilmix for best results.

Humidity & Misting

Scottish Heath 'Jack Drake' prefers moderate to high humidity levels, ideally between 50% and 70%, mimicking its native moorland conditions.

Suitable locations

• Indoor

  Place in bright, indirect light; keep soil moist.

• Outdoor

  Ensure acidic soil; partly shaded spot; shelter from harsh winds.

• Hardiness zone

  5-9 USDA

Life cycle

The Daboecia × scotica 'Jack Drake', commonly known as Irish Heath 'Jack Drake', begins its life as a seed which germinates in moist, well-draining soil, typically in spring. Upon germination, the seedling emerges and develops into a young plant with characteristic needle-like leaves. As the plant matures, it enters a vegetative stage, growing in height and spread, forming a woody base with evergreen foliage. Throughout late spring to early autumn, 'Jack Drake' produces bell-shaped, purple flowers which attract pollinators and can result in the formation of seed capsules if pollination is successful. After flowering, seeds can be dispersed to start new plants, or the plant can also spread vegetatively through cuttings, which is a common method for cultivar propagation. Over the years, 'Jack Drake' will continue to grow and may require occasional pruning to maintain shape and encourage bushy growth, with the cycle of blooming and potential seed dispersal repeating annually.

Propogation

• Propogation time

  Spring to Summer

• Daboecia × scotica 'Jack Drake', commonly known as Scottish heath 'Jack Drake', is typically propagated by semi-ripe cuttings. This method is most successful during the late summer months. To propagate, a gardener would take a cutting of about 4 to 6 inches (10 to 15 centimeters) from the current year's growth, making sure there is a heel of older wood at the base. The lower leaves are then stripped, and the cut end can be dipped in rooting hormone to encourage root development, although this is not always essential. The prepared cutting should be placed in a well-draining potting mix and kept in a humid environment until roots have established, at which point it can be potted on or planted out.