102 A LITTLE BOOK OF PERENNIALS 



Propagation. Tliey may bo propagated from seeds or cuttings 

 taken either in the Fall or Spring. The double sorts should be grafted 

 on the roots of the single flowering ones, as about 30 per cent of the 

 seedlings come double from seed. The plants are divided most fre- 

 quently. 



Heather — Heath 



The American finds it almost unholy to write of Heather because 

 his remarks may be read by a Scotchman who might wonder by what 

 right an American obtained permission to discuss these bonny plants. 

 There are a number of sorts of Heathers which may be grown in north- 

 ern United States, but many of the European sorts are not hardy 

 enough. Lovers of Heather might easily grow it, if they but knew the 

 sorts to grow. The following sorts are seen thriving in our country: 



Calluna vulgaris, the true Scotch Heather, has tiny purple flowers 

 and grows 12 inches to 18 inches tall. It blooms late in August and 

 remains in bloom until Fall. There is also a white variety. C. crispa 

 is an excellent sort with pinkish lavender flowers. 



Erica carnea has pink flowers and is one of the most popular sorts 

 in America. The plants grow 6 inches tall and bloom in April or May. 



Erica stricta, the Corsican Heath, seldom attains a height of 2 

 feet and has stiff, upright branches. The flowers are rosy purple 

 appearing in August. 



Menziesia polifolia, the Irish Heath, has small, oval, dark green 

 leaves and long spikes of large, drooping, white or bright rose bells. 

 It blooms from July to September. The plants attain a height of 

 6 inches. 



Bruckenthalia spiculifolia is found listed in some catalogs. It 

 grows 5 inches to 8 inches tall, has heath-like, Hght pmk flowers pro- 

 duced in early June. 



Uses. Besides their sentiment and interest, the Heaths are ex- 

 tremely dainty for use in the border or rock garden. They are espe- 

 ciaUy at home as an undergrowth for Rhododendron beds. They may 

 be cut, and when placed in vases, wiU last for weeks. 



Culture. The various Heaths prefer a soil compounded of peat 

 or leafmold. They prefer plenty of moisture in Summer but the soil 

 must be perfectly drained. Our weather conditions are not ideal, due 

 to our hot, dry Summers, but Mr. Wm. Anderson (Lancaster, Mass.) 

 writing in The Gardener's Chronicle of America, says: 



