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Summary

Bloom Color: White. Main Bloom Time: Early summer, Late spring. Form: Prostrate, Spreading or horizontal.

Physical Characteristics

Dryas octopetala is an evergreen Shrub growing to 0.1 m (0ft 4in) by 1 m (3ft 3in) at a medium rate.
See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 2. It is in leaf all year, in flower from June to July. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs) and is pollinated by Insects.
It can fix Nitrogen.
Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils. It cannot grow in the shade. It prefers moist soil.

UK Hardiness Map US Hardiness Map

Synonyms

Habitats

Ground Cover;

Edible Uses

Edible Parts:
Edible Uses: Tea

The leaves are used as a tea substitute[2, 13, 46, 183].

References More on Edible Uses

Medicinal Uses

Plants For A Future can not take any responsibility for any adverse effects from the use of plants. Always seek advice from a professional before using a plant medicinally.
Antidiarrhoeal Astringent Digestive

The entire plant, harvested just before or at flowering time is astringent and digestive[9]. An infusion is used as a stomach tonic, and also as a gargle for treating gingivitis and other disorders of the mouth and throat[9].

References More on Medicinal Uses

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Other Uses

The plant makes a good ground cover for spring bulbs, though it is not strongly weed suppressive[200]. Slow-growing at first, it then forms a dense mat[197]. Plants should be spaced about 30cm apart each way and they form a carpet, the branches rooting at intervals along the stems[208].

Special Uses

Food Forest Ground cover Nitrogen Fixer

References More on Other Uses

Cultivation details

Landscape Uses:Alpine garden, Ground cover, Rock garden. Easily grown in ordinary gardening soil[1, 11], preferring a sunny position[4]. Prefers limestone soils[1]. Prefers a gritty well-drained peaty soil[188]. A sub-shrub, producing annual stems from a woody base[11, 200]. A good plant for a rock garden[1], it succeeds on banks and on walls[188]. A very ornamental plant[1]. The sub-species D. octopetala hookeriana has been shown to produce nitrogen nodules on its roots due to a symbiotic relationship with certain soil bacteria, in the same way as peas and beans[212]. It has been assumed here that the species type can also do this[K]. Some of the nitrogen is utilized by the growing plant but some can also be used by other plants growing nearby[200]. Established plants strongly resent root disturbance[200]. Special Features:Attractive foliage, Not North American native. For polyculture design as well as the above-ground architecture (form - tree, shrub etc. and size shown above) information on the habit and root pattern is also useful and given here if available. An evergreen. A clumping mat former. Forming a dense prostrate carpet with a limited spread [1-2]. The root pattern is fibrous dividing into a large number of fine roots [1-2].

References Carbon Farming Information and Carbon Sequestration Information

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The PFAF Bookshop

Plants For A Future have a number of books available in paperback and digital form. Book titles include Edible Plants, Edible Perennials, Edible Trees, and Woodland Gardening. Our new book to be released soon is Edible Shrubs.

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Propagation

Seed - best sown in pots a shady cold frame or sheltered place outdoors as soon as it is ripe[200]. Stored seed requires stratification and should be sown as soon as possible. The seed usually germinates in 1 - 12 months or more at 20°c[200]. When they are large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and grow them on in the greenhouse for their first winter. Plant them out into their permanent positions in late spring or early summer, after the last expected frosts. Division of self-layered shoots in early spring[1, 200]. Cuttings of half-ripe wood with a heel, July/August in sharp sand in a frame[1, 200].

Other Names

If available other names are mentioned here

Native Plant Search

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Found In

Countries where the plant has been found are listed here if the information is available

Weed Potential

Right plant wrong place. We are currently updating this section. Please note that a plant may be invasive in one area but may not in your area so itâ€™s worth checking.

Conservation Status

IUCN Red List of Threatened Plants Status :

Related Plants

Latin Name	Common Name	Habit	Height	Hardiness	Growth	Soil	Shade	Moisture	Edible	Medicinal	Other

Growth: S = slow M = medium F = fast. Soil: L = light (sandy) M = medium H = heavy (clay). pH: A = acid N = neutral B = basic (alkaline). Shade: F = full shade S = semi-shade N = no shade. Moisture: D = dry M = Moist We = wet Wa = water.

Dryas octopetala - L.