Description
Phyllodoce –
There are about 8 species of spreading or erect, evergreen shrub and subshrubs in the Ericaceae family, in this genus. They occur from alpine and arctic habitats in the Northern Hemisphere. They produce alternate, linear, leathery, leaves that are less than 1″ long and are downy beneath, with rolled, finely toothed margins, their almost pine needle like. From spring to ealry summer it bears bell, urn, or pitcher shaped, 5 lobed, nodding or horizontally held flowers are borne in terminal racemes or umbel like clusters, sometimes solitary.
Grow in lime free, moderately fertile, humus rich, moist, but well drained, acidic soil in partial shade. They quickly suffer in hot, dry conditions. Lightly trim after flowering to maintain a compact habit.
P. nipponica – This erect sub shrub from Northern Japan grows 8″ tall and wide. It produces linear, dark green leaves, to ½” long, with white downy mid ribs beneath, and minutely glandular toothed, rolled margins. In late spring and early summer it bears loose umbel like clusters of 3 to 7 pendent, bell shaped, rose pink or white flowers, 1/4″ long, on upright, red tinted stalks.
Zones 3-7
