io8 Encyclopaedia of Gardening 



Epiphyllum. See Cactus. 

 Eragrostis. See Annuals Grasses. 



Eranthemum (eran-themum, from erao, to love, and anthos, 

 flower. Ord. Acanthaceae) . Pretty plants for a warm greenhouse, 

 useful in that they bloom in winter. Loam, with a fourth each of 

 peat and leaf mould, and sand, suit. Propagation is by cuttings 

 under a bell-glass in spring. A little pinching is required to insure 

 a bushy habit. Andersoni, with purple and white flowers (Botanical 

 Magazine, t. 5771); albiflorum, white (Bot. Mag., t. 4225); and 

 cinnabarinum, scarlet, are useful species. Pulchellum is called 

 Daedalacanthus nervosus by modern botanists. It has blue flowers 

 (see Bot. Mag., t. 1358). 



Eranthis hyemalis (Winter Aconite). See Bulbs. 



Eremurus (eremu-rus, from eremos, solitary, and our a, tail, in 

 allusion to the flower spike. Ord. Liliaceae). Tall, hardy herba- 

 ceous plants, with handsome spikes of bloom in summer. Fertile, 

 friable, loamy soil gives the best spikes, and they may rise 6 or 7 ft. 

 high. Propagation is easily effected by seeds sown in a greenhouse 

 in spring, but they will not flower for 3 or 4 years. The roots are 

 remarkable, and as growth starts early they should be planted in 

 autumn. Guard against slugs in spring. A sheltered place should 

 be provided for these noble plants, as they suffer from strong winds. 

 Himalaicus, white, is a fine species. Bungei, yellow, is good. 

 Robustus has silvery-rose flowers, and is very strong; Elwesii is an 

 early variety of this. 



Erica, Heath (eri-ca, from erico, to break, in allusion to the brittle- 

 ness. Ord. Ericaceae). These are amongst the most valuable of 

 evergreens, for in addition to the greenhouse species they give us 

 such beautiful hardy species as arborea, carnea, cinerea, and Medi- 

 terranea. The greenhouse species are not easily managed. They 

 are hard wooded plants with hair-like roots, requiring abundance of 

 water in summer, yet liable to suffer from sodden as well as from 

 dry soil. They should be grown in sandy peat, and if repotting is 

 required it should be done towards the end of winter. The old soil 

 should be crumbled from the ball, which should be soaked if dry, 

 and then put into a 6-in. pot and well packed with fresh soil over 

 ample drainage. A greenhouse from which frost is excluded will 

 suit them in winter, when much less water will be needed. They 

 will flower in spring, and may be stood on an ash bed in the open 

 in summer. Propagation is by cuttings in summer, in sandy soil 

 under a bell-glass.. 



Greenhouse Heaths. 



caffra, white, May. 

 Cavendishiana, yellow, July, 

 gracilis, purplish-red, March, 

 hyemalis, rose, winter. 

 Massoni, red and green, summer. 



ventricosa, flesh, late spring (several varieties, such as alba, white; 

 erecta, flesh; and superba, scarlet). 



