276 ROCK GARDENS 



E. inediterranea. — A lovely, peat-loving shrub, growing 3 to 5 

 feet high, flowering in spring. 



E. Tetralix. — The well-known bell-heather, growing in moist, 

 boggy places on our moors. It will also do in ordinary garden soil. 



E. vulgaris (syn. Calluna vulgaris). — The well-known common 

 "Ling," and, being quite indifferent to soil, may be used for the 

 wilder parts of the rock garden. There are many varieties, some 

 of which are of little value. The best are E. v. alba., pilosa., Alportii 

 rubra and rosea., serlei, hypnoides., pyginea., tenella^ and tomentosa. 



E. dabaecia (syn. Mensiesia poli/olia). — A lovely shrub, growing 18 

 inches to 2 feet high, and found wild in the west of Ireland. It does 

 best in a partially shaded position in peaty loam. Bears during the 

 summer and autumn a profusion of large drooping bells, borne in 

 racemes of a crimson-purple colour. There are few more beautiful 

 shrubs grown. There are several varieties : alba^ a white one, even 

 prettier than the type. A deeper-coloured form, atropurpurea ; and 

 one with purple and white flowers, called bicolor. 



Erigeron (Compositae) 



A genus of plants with large daisy-like flowers, resembling the 

 Michaelmas daisies. Only the dwarfer kinds are suitable for 

 growing in the rock garden, though the taller kinds will be found 

 useful for massing on the heights. The following are a selection 

 of the former, all of which are of easy culture in a half-shady position 

 in good loam, 



E. alpinus. — Like an inferior Aster alpinus. Pale blue flowers. 

 But the variety, grandijlorum, is good, with large, deep blue, daisy- 

 like flowers. 



E. aurantiacus. — Large orange-coloured flowers. Floriferous and 

 pretty. 



E. Coulteri. — Large white flowers, with golden centres. Blooms 

 late into the autumn. A handsome plant. 



E. glaucus. — Smooth glaucous leaves. Large deep lavender- 

 coloured flowers, from July to October. 



E. leio?ne?'us. — Small tufted species. Narrow grey-green leaves, 

 and lovely pale violet-blue flowers. Quite one of the best of the 

 genus, and quite hardy and easily grown. 



E. mucronatus (syn. Vittadenia triloba). — Prostrate and much- 

 branched habit, bearing a profusion of white, small, daisy-like 

 flowers the whole summer. A very charming plant, of rapid 

 growth. Easily raised from seed. Quite indifferent to soil or 

 aspect. Not very hardy. 



E. Roylei. — Dwarf tufted habit. Bluish-purple flowers, with a 

 yellow centre. Very pretty. 



