434 



THE BOOK OF GARDENING. 



from midsummer onwards. E. arborea assumes quite a tree- 

 like habit, and carries a rich profusion of small flowers from 

 February to May. E. Mackai {E. Mackaiana) is of dwarf 

 habit, and has pretty pink flowers. E. Tetralix is a charming 

 Heath with terminal racemes of pale pink flowers in July, 

 while the varieties alba and 7'2ibra are useful and showy too. 

 E. carnea (Winter Heath) is very neat in growth, and bears an 

 abundance of pink flowers from mid-December until spring. 

 The white-flowered form {alba) makes a good companion. Both 

 are thoroughly hardy, and useful either for edgings to beds or as 

 undergrowth to such things as Azaleas. They are also worthy of 

 a place at the foot of the rockery. E. stricta is of neat, erect 

 habit, grows about 5ft. high, and bears terminal clusters of 

 reddish-purple flowers abundantly in summer. E. Iusita7iica 

 {E. codcmodes) is an abundant blossomer. Although not 

 possessing such a hardy constitution as some Heaths, it is well 

 deserving of a sheltered nook. In favoured localities it makes 

 a handsome bush, and from about the end of January (in mild 

 winters) till May, when its slender twigs are bearing their 

 pendent white flowers touched with pink, it is one of the most 

 attractive objects in the American garden. E. meditej-ranea forms 

 a neat and pretty bush, with pitcher-shaped pink flowers, pro- 

 duced early in the year. The white-flowered form {alba) is 

 also noteworthy, and hiberiiica is valuable, too, and later in 

 coming into flower than the type, but the one named hybrida 

 is not only the earliest, but also the most profuse blossomer of 

 the group. The flowers are a lovely shade of pink. This kind 

 is not planted half so freely as its merits entitle it. E. vagans 

 (Cornish Heath) is an erect species, very free and popular, 

 with pinkish-white flowers in summer and autumn. Its varieties, 

 alba^ rubi-a, and gra?idiJlora, are pretty and very free. E. calluna 

 vulgaris is well-known, but some of its more interesting and 

 beautiful varieties are not so familiar in gardens as they might be. 

 Hainnwjidi is of free growth and a choice Heath, with an 

 abundance of pure white flowers, ciiprea forms a neat tuft and 

 is very distinct, while its yellow leaves assume a bronzy hue in 

 winter. Alporti is another compactly-habited kind, as well as free- 

 flowering, coccinea is conspicuous for its deep red flowers. Other 

 good varieties are rosea, Eoxii, Searlei, alba, and laiiulosa. 



Eriobotrya japonica {Mespilus japo?iica). — A handsome shrub, 

 with enormous deep green leaves. The pendulous racemes of 

 white flowers appear late in summer, and when grown under 

 glass the pale orange fruits (Fig. 278) are freely borne. It 

 is a useful and an ornamental wall-shrub. 



EscALLONiAS are referred to under " Wall Shrubs and 

 Climbers " ; but the most useful kind of all, E. Pliilippia?ia, is 

 not included, as it does not need this protection, and may be 



