The Hardy Heaths 



about the lower parts of the branches, and a 

 little Bracken or other protective material 

 amongst the upper parts. 



When preparing ground for Heaths it should 

 be dug over to a depth of at least 18 inches. 

 If of a peaty nature the natural soil will of course 

 do, if not it should be made as light as possible, 

 adding sand if the natural ground is heavy. 

 After the digging, a layer of peat 6 inches 

 deep should be spread over the ground and be 

 lightly forked in, this will be found preferable to 

 removing a foot or more of soil and filling up 

 the space with peat. In lime districts it will be 

 necessary to remove the whole of the soil to a 

 depth of 2 feet, and fill up the excavation with 

 imported material. Even in such a case as this 

 it is inadvisable to provide a great depth of peat, 

 rather fill in with light soil and give a surfacing 

 of peat. A great bulk of peat decomposes and 

 becomes sour before roots can push their way 

 through it, whereas ordinary light, loamy soil 

 keeps sweet. At Kew numerous large masses of 

 Heaths have been formed, and these are thriving 

 well in the ordinary Kew sand with a few inches 

 of peat. 



When planting, advantage should be taken of 

 the fact that the species are divided into spring 

 and autumn flowering groups ; by planting each 

 lot separately very fine effects are produced. 

 Possibly no other genera provides such a lengthy 



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