Heath Family 331 



and is the earliest bloomer (April, May), blossoming before the foliage, 

 which in the fall assumes a rich, vinous red or crimson color. 



A. viscosa Linn. (8), the native Swamp Honeysuckle, or Pinxter, 

 from Maine to Texas; with white, fragrant flowers; the latest bloomer 

 of all; is fit for wet spots. 



Of exotics there are at least three worthy of attention: 



A. Pontica Linn. (9) (gandavensis?), from Europe, with many vari- 

 eties, which excels in its large glossy leaves, profusion of large but deli- 

 cate, varicolored flowers (May, June), which are single and double, 

 and by its pleasing outline, three to five feet high. It is only half hardy. 

 A long line of hybrids with American species gave rise to the so-called 

 Ghent Azaleas. 



A. mollis Blume. (Sinensis) (10), the favorite of the Japanese, 

 with its spreading habit, three to eight feet high, most profuse, large, 

 flame-colored, verj^ early flowers (April, May), and pleasing foliage, 

 silvery gray beneath; also with many color varieties. 



In addition, a large number of hardy hybrids, giving every choice 

 of color in flowers, have been produced from the one evergreen 

 species — 



A. Indira Linn. (11), which is itself tender to half hardy. 



* A. amcena Lindl. (iia), one of the choicest, a new introduction, is 

 hardy as far as New York, as low and spreading as A. mollis, and as 

 early a bloomer (April, May), with a profusion of large rich crimson (to 

 purple) blossoms, and dense foliage of small, glossy leaves, turning 

 bronze in winter. It is best used singly, or in hedge line, or in front of 

 rhododendrons and kalmia. 



A. KcEmpferi Rehder (116), with pink to orange-red, early flowers, 

 is hardy into New England. 



Calluna (Erica). Heath. Of the very large number of species and 

 varieties, mostly of southern climates, with small, dainty foliage and 

 flowers, only one is hardy enough with us to be grown in the open, 

 namely: 



C. vulgaris Salisb. (12), the Scotch Heather, one to three feet high, 

 with handsome, terminal racemes of tiny pink flowers (July to Septem- 

 ber). It grows in poor, sandy, and peaty soil, and is well adapted to 

 massing in borders. 



A number of varieties of this species, with varied color of flowers, 

 double blossoms, golden and silver-colored shoots, are worthy of atten- 

 tion. 



