68 HARDY ORNAMENTAL 



prostrate shrub is most at home. There it enlivens the 

 spot with its pretty evergreen foliage, and sweet-scented, 

 white or pinky flowers. It is quite hardy, and should be 

 planted in peaty soil in the shade. 



Ercilla (Phytolaccaceae). 



ERCILLA SPICATA (syn Bridgesia spicata). Chili, 1840. 

 A small-growing, half-climbing shrub, with leathery, deep- 

 green leaves and inconspicuous purplish flowers. Hailing 

 from Chili, it is not very hardy, but given the protection 

 of a wall, or planted against a tree-stump, it soon forms 

 a neat mass of evergreen foliage. It is excellent for 

 planting in dry soils. 



Erica (Ericaceae)* 



ERICA CARNEA. South Europe, 1763. This is one of 

 the most beautiful and desirable of hardy Heaths, on 

 account of the richly-coloured flowers and early season at 

 which they are produced. In the typical species the 

 flowers are pink or flesh-coloured, and produced in January 

 and February. It is a dwarf, compact growing species, 

 with bright-green foliage. There is a form with pure- 

 white flowers, named E. carnea alba, or E. herbacea, but 

 although distinct and beautiful, it is not of so robust 

 growth as the parent. 



E. CILIABIS. A pretty native species, with ciliate 

 glandular leaves, and racemes of highly-coloured, rosy 

 flowers. Found in Dorsetshire and Cornwall. 



E. CINEREA. Grey-leaved Heath. In this species, also 

 a native of Britain, the flowers are of a reddish-purple 

 colour, and borne in dense terminal racemes. There are 

 numerous varieties, including a white-flowered E. cinerea 

 alba; E. cinerea atro-purpurea, bearing dark-purple 



