110 GARDENS OF ENGLAND 



heather covered hillsides, the purple of the heath, 

 and the yeUow of the autumn gorse. The hardy 

 heaths are not only beautiful with regard to the 

 individual flower, but they shower their blossom 

 over the dense leafage, lasting many weeks in 

 rich beauty. It is not unusual to have some sorts 

 in bloom for five weeks, and when a collection is 

 planted it is heath time the whole year. With 

 all this wealth of subtle beauty at command it is 

 strange that such a femily of shrubs should not 

 have gained a firmer hold upon the afiection of 

 all who love their gardens, but I hope this little 

 chapter may have some influence in bringing this 

 exquisite family of shrubs into the sunshine of 

 Fashion's fancies. One who has worked amongst 

 the heaths for many years suggests that the best 

 possible position for a heath garden is a hillside on 

 peaty ground. Although it is not necessary that 

 the soil should be composed of peat, the best results, 

 as one weU-known grower of heaths mentions, 

 are obtained in soil of a naturally peaty nature. 

 "Providing the ground is fi-ee from lime or 

 contains it in only minute quantities, it is quite 

 possible to grow first-rate specimens in loamy 

 soU. Where a rhododendron will grow, heath 

 may be expected to do the same. Next to peaty 



