Daboecia cantabrica Cupido - Irish Heath

Daboecia cantabrica 'Cupido' is a selection of Irish heather with a long and generous flowering period with flowers in a bright pink colour. It is an understorey shrub with bright green, evergreen foliage that remains attractive even in winter. With its low and dense habit, the length of its flowering and the beautiful size of its bell-shaped flowers, this heather forms an effective and decorative groundcover. This plant thrives only in acidic and moist soils (heathland), both in the mountains and by the sea.

Daboecia cantabrica 'Cupido' is a plant of the Ericaceae family. Its wild ancestor is native to Western Europe, specifically Ireland, Spain, Portugal, and the Azores. This plant is capable of withstanding temperatures around -15 to -18°C (5 to -0.4°F).

The habit of this 'Cupido' heather is semi-prostrate and spreading. At maturity, the plant will measure approximately 25 cm (10in) in height with a relative spread of 30-40 cm (12-16in). Its small elliptical oval leaves are 1 cm (0.5in) long and 4 to 5 mm (0.2in) wide, evergreen in winter, simple, leathery, and arranged alternately on the branches. Green and shiny on the upper side, they are hairy and curl at the edges on the reverse side. The long-lasting flowering begins in July and continues until October. Gathered in terminal clusters, the flowers are charming pendulous bells measuring 1 cm (0.5in) long and 3 to 4 mm (0.2in) in diameter. Their colour is  very vibrant pink. This melliferous flower attracts and nourishes many pollinating insects.

Daboecia cantabrica 'Cupido' is an ideal shrub for landscaping coastal or alpine gardens if the soil allows it. It can be mixed with other varieties of different colours, but also with heathers with staggered flowering (Erica x darleyensis). It can be planted en masse to vegetate a rocky slope or a sandy embankment where few plants are willing to grow. It can be associated with Armeria maritima, Azorella, and other heathers like Calluna. It can also be grown in pots on the patio or balcony with its compact habit and long flowering period: choose a sufficiently large container and keep the substrate (acidic) always slightly moist.