42 THE P HILADELPHIA FLORIST. 



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THE EPACRIS. 



A horticultural writer lately demanded of the "Working Garden- 

 er " in the " Horticulturist," where were the Epacris % We shall 

 shew him in a few weeks, if he visit the Chinese Museum. We have 

 in this vicinity grandiflora, paludosa, miniata, hyacinthiflora, and many 

 others. We copy the following from an English paper : 



" The Epacris. — It is many years since we first became acquainted 

 w T ith Epacris grandiflora — a good and useful plant, but one that has 

 suffered much ill-treatment from early cultivators, for its powers of en- 

 durance are great. Any plant approaching what we would now call 

 a specimen, was sure to be rusty in the foliage and dead at the points 

 of the shoots. What a contrast to the noble bushes of it which of 

 late years have been exhibited, clothed profusely with both foliage 

 and bloom. 



Epacris miniata, being comparatively of late introduction, has es- 

 caped much of the bad treatment to which grandiflora was subjected. 

 It is deservedly held in high estimation by plant growers, and is to be 

 seen frequently in great perfection in many collections at our great 

 exhibitions. " •. 



Epacris pungens, and pulchella, of late years have fallen into dis- 

 repute, owing to their not flowering seasonably for the shows; never- 

 theless they are still worthy of a place in the greenhouse. I have a 

 vivid recollection of the beautiful specimens of these plants, which 

 were at one time exhibited by Mr. Green, at 21 Regent street. They 

 were tall, many-stemmed, with gracefully drooping branchlets, cloth- 

 ed with wreaths of flowers. 



Epacris impressa, together with campanulata, alba, rosea, rubra, 

 grandiflora, and other varieties, are very desirable plants for floral dis- 

 play, during the winter months. Indeed, to ladies and gentlemen 

 who have only a green-house, they are indispensable ; they are of 

 easy culture, simply requiring during winter all the light that can be 

 given them by day, and protection from frost at night. The soil best 

 adapted for their growth is the same as that which is proper for 

 Heaths. As the flowers are always produced on the young wood, it is 

 necessary that shortly after blooming the shoots can be cut back, and 

 properly thinned and regulated ; and the plants should be repotted, 

 giving them a moderate shift. They should be kept in the house un- 

 til they begin to grow, when they may be put out of doors in a shel- 

 tered situation, or into cold frames, if these are to spare. At first, 

 they merely require to be protected from heavy rains, and from frost 

 at night. As the weather becomes warmer, and the plants commence 

 growing freely, they should be fully exposed to the sun's rays, taking 

 qj care that the pots are shaded, to prevent too rapid evaporation and^\ 



