Phyllodoce caerulea, commonly known as blue heath or purple mountain heather, is an evergreen dwarf shrub native to alpine and subarctic regions, including tundra habitats, acidic heathlands, and mountain slopes across the Northern Hemisphere. It typically grows 2-6 inches tall and forms dense mats. This species produces clusters of bell-shaped flowers, 2-6 per cluster, that are initially purple but fade to bluish-pink as they age, blooming from late spring to early summer. The flowers are modest in size but can be quite showy en masse due to their vibrant color. The evergreen leaves are small, needle-like, and arranged alternately on short 1-millimeter petioles, contributing to the plant’s fine-textured appearance.

Blue heath is valued for its ability to thrive in cold, harsh climates and its use in rock gardens and alpine plantings. It is also appreciated for its evergreen foliage and the splash of color it provides when in bloom. In cultivation, it requires well-drained, acidic soil and full sun to partial shade. While it is generally low-maintenance, it can suffer from root rot if planted in poorly drained soils. Blue heath is not known for aggressive roots or significant disease problems. It is a historical plant, first described by Carl Linnaeus in 1753, and has been a subject of botanical interest for centuries.CC BY-SA 4.0