The Hardy Heaths 



down any time during spring and summer. 

 Large, spreading plants are selected, and a little 

 peaty soil is placed under the branches ; the 

 branches are then weighted down into the soil 

 by means of stones. A period of twelve months 

 has to elapse before the layers are sufficiently 

 well rooted to be detached from the parent. 



Selection of Species 



E. arborea="The Tree Heath." A hand- 

 some plant of upright, bushy habit, found in the 

 region bordering the Mediterranean and also in 

 the Caucasus. Under favourable conditions it 

 attains a height of from 12 to 20 feet, but is more 

 frequently met with from 4 to 8 feet high. The 

 flowers are small, fragrant, and white, and borne 

 in great profusion from March to May. There 

 is a dwarf variety called alpina, but it is of little 

 value. 



E. australis is found in Portugal, and is 

 recognised by a rather loose, straggling habit, 

 dark green leaves, and red flowers, which are 

 larger than those of most Heaths. It has been 

 in cultivation since 1769, but is not a well known 

 plant. 



E. carnea. This is widely distributed through 

 the mountainous regions of Europe, and is recog- 

 nised by its dwarf, compact, carpet-like appear- 



239 



