Scottish Heather Daboecia × scotica 'Silverwells'
ABOUT
The 'Silverwells' variety of the plant commonly known as St. Dabeoc's heath is an attractive garden plant with a number of distinctive features that make it visually appealing. It typically boasts small, glossy green leaves that are evergreen, offering year-round color and interest in the garden. The leaves may sometimes have a slightly grayish cast, contributing to its 'silver' namesake and adding to the plant's overall charm. Come blooming season, 'Silverwells' produces an abundance of bell-shaped flowers. These flowers hang elegantly from the plant's branches, often appearing in shades of pink or white, providing a soft contrast to the foliage and adding a pop of color to the garden scape. The blossoms are particularly attractive to bees, butterflies, and other pollinators, making this plant not only a visual delight but also beneficial to the local ecosystem. Despite being a garden cultivar, 'Silverwells' retains the resilience and hardy nature typical of St. Dabeoc's heath, making it a versatile choice for many gardeners looking to add a touch of beauty without extensive maintenance. Its dense and bushy growth habit gives it a compact, rounded appearance, contributing further to its aesthetic appeal. With its striking flowers and lush foliage, 'Silverwells' serves as an ideal plant for various landscaping uses, including borders, rockeries, and as ground cover, bringing a unique elegance to any garden design.
About this plant
NamesFamily
Ericaceae
Synonyms
Scottish Heather, Silverwells
Common names
Daboecia × scotica 'Silverwells'.
ToxicityTo humans
The plant commonly known as Heather is not typically considered toxic to humans. There is no widespread documentation of toxicity in humans resulting from ingestion of this plant. Thus, it is generally considered safe, and there are no specific symptoms of poisoning associated with it. However, as with any plant, individual allergic reactions or sensitivities could possibly occur.
To pets
Heather is also not known to be toxic to pets. There is no significant evidence that it poses a risk if ingested by animals such as cats and dogs. Consequently, there are no specific symptoms of poisoning related to this plant. However, it is always wise to monitor pets and prevent them from eating large amounts of any non-food plants, as gastrointestinal upset could occur from ingesting plant material their systems are not accustomed to.
CharacteristicsLife cycle
Perennials
Foliage type
Evergreen
Color of leaves
Green
Flower color
Pink
Height
1 foot [30 cm]
Spread
2 feet [60 cm]
Plant type
Shrub
Hardiness zones
5
Native area
Europe
Benefits
General Benefits- Aesthetic Appeal: Adds vibrant color and texture to gardens with its pink or white bell-shaped flowers and silvery-green foliage.
- Hardy Nature: Resilient to harsh climates, which makes it suitable for a variety of garden settings.
- Long Blooming Period: Flowers from early summer to autumn, providing prolonged visual interest.
- Attracts Wildlife: Bees and butterflies are drawn to the flowers, promoting pollination of surrounding plants.
- Low Maintenance: Requires minimal care once established, making it ideal for busy gardeners or those seeking low-effort landscaping.
- Drought Tolerance: Capable of surviving dry conditions after it's well established, reducing the need for frequent watering.
- Versatile Planting Options: Can be used in rock gardens, borders, or as ground cover due to its compact growth habit.
- Evergreen Presence: Retains its leaves throughout the year, ensuring constant greenery in the garden.
Medical PropertiesThis plant is not used for medical purposes.
Air-purifying QualitiesThis plant is not specifically known for air purifying qualities.
Other Uses- Crafting Dyes: The flowers and leaves of Daboecia cantabrica 'Silverwells' can be boiled to extract natural dyes for textiles and crafting projects.
- Photography Subjects: Its distinct flowers can be ideal subjects for photographers specializing in plant and nature photography.
- Educational Tool: Because of its unique characteristics, it can be used in educational settings to teach about plant hybridization and horticulture.
- Floral Arrangements: The flowers can be used in fresh floral arrangements, adding a touch of color and versatility in design.
- Miniature Gardens: Its compact size makes it suitable for creating and maintaining miniature gardens or fairy gardens.
- Artistic Inspiration: The plant can inspire artists, serving as a muse for paintings, illustrations, and other forms of artwork.
- Culinary Garnish: Although not commonly consumed, the flowers could be used as a decorative, non-toxic garnish for special dishes.
- Traditional Crafts: In areas where it is indigenous, the plant may be incorporated into traditional crafts and cultural artifacts.
- Collectors’ Specimen: It may be sought after by plant collectors and enthusiasts looking to add unique hybrids to their collections.
- Seed Harvesting: Gardening enthusiasts may collect its seeds for propagation and trading with other gardeners.
Interesting Facts
Feng ShuiThe plant_name is not used in Feng Shui practice.
Zodiac Sign CompitabilityThe plant_name is not used in astrology practice.
Plant Symbolism- Endurance: As a hybrid species, Daboecia × scotica 'Silverwells', commonly known as Scottish Heath, often represents the ability to endure tough conditions and adapt to diverse environments.
- Protection: Heaths have been traditionally thought to possess protective qualities, making them symbolic of safeguarding and care.
- Solitude: Due to their natural habitats in remote moorlands, Scottish Heath can symbolize a love for solitude and peacefulness.
- Good Luck: In some cultures, the Scottish Heath is considered to bring good fortune, possibly because it is a resilient plant that thrives in challenging environments.
WaterThe Irish Heath 'Silverwells' prefers consistently moist soil, but it's crucial not to overwater. Water the plant thoroughly when the top inch of soil feels dry to the touch, which might be approximately once a week, depending on environmental conditions. Use about one gallon of water to ensure the soil is moistened well, but be sure the pot has good drainage to prevent waterlogging. Adjust watering during the winter months as the plant requires less moisture. It's essential to water the plant at the base to avoid wetting the foliage, which can lead to fungal diseases.
LightIrish Heath 'Silverwells' thrives best in full to partial sun. The ideal location would provide morning sunlight with some shade during the hottest part of the day. Ensure the plant receives at least six hours of direct sunlight daily for optimal growth and flowering.
TemperatureIrish Heath 'Silverwells' can tolerate a temperature range from around 20°F to 80°F. For optimal growth, aim to keep the temperature between 50°F and 70°F. Protect the plant from extreme cold and frost, which might damage it, by bringing it indoors or providing a frost blanket if necessary.
PruningIrish Heath 'Silverwells' benefits from light pruning to maintain shape and encourage bushy growth. The best time to prune is after the plant has finished flowering, usually in the late summer or early fall. Remove any dead or damaged stems, and cut back about one-third of the plant to stimulate new growth. Pruning is typically done annually or as needed to remove unwanted growth.
CleaningAs needed
SoilScottish Heath 'Silverwells' thrives in an acidic, well-drained, peat-based soil mix with a pH between 4.5 and 5.5. Incorporate a mix of peat moss, pine bark, and perlite or sand for optimal growth and root aeration.
RepottingScottish Heath 'Silverwells' should generally be repotted every 2-3 years to refresh the soil and accommodate root growth. Spring is the best time for repotting to minimize stress on the plant.
Humidity & MistingScottish Heath 'Silverwells' prefers moderate to high humidity levels, around 50-70%, mimicking its native moist heathland conditions. Avoid placing it in overly dry environments.
Suitable locationsIndoor
Place Scottish Heath 'Silverwells' in bright, indirect light.
Outdoor
Plant Scottish Heath 'Silverwells' in partial shade, in moist soil.
Hardiness zone
5-9 USDA
Life cycleThe Daboecia × scotica 'Silverwells', commonly known as Scottish Heath, begins its life cycle from seeds that germinate in moist, well-draining soil, usually in spring. Seedlings emerge and establish a root system, developing into juvenile plants that prioritize vegetative growth. Over time, the plant matures and produces woody stems with needle-like foliage, entering a perennial growth phase where it can endure for several years. During the flowering stage, typically in late spring to summer, 'Silverwells' produces bell-shaped flowers that can attract pollinators like bees and butterflies. After pollination, the flowers develop into seed capsules, which when mature, release seeds to start a new generation. In favorable conditions, the plant can experience vegetative propagation through cuttings, leading to clones of the parent plant.
PropogationPropogation time
Spring-Early Summer
Daboecia × scotica 'Silverwells', commonly known as St. Dabeoc's heath, is typically propagated through semi-hardwood cuttings. This method involves taking cuttings from the current year's growth, which has begun to mature but is not yet fully hardened, roughly in mid to late summer. The cuttings, about 4 to 6 inches long, should be taken from a healthy parent plant and should include several leaves. The lower end of the cutting is then dipped in rooting hormone powder to encourage root development. Afterwards, the cuttings are planted in a mixture of peat and perlite and kept under conditions of high humidity and indirect light. Roots typically form in a few weeks to a couple of months, after which the new plants can be transplanted into individual pots to grow on before being planted out.
