TREES AND SHRUBS. 
387 
of the Heath order (Ericaceae). E. repens has heart-shaped 
leaves and bears deliciously fragrant pink blossoms in May 
and June. It only grows a few inches high, and does best in 
sandy peat under the shade of pine or other trees. Plant in 
autumn or spring. Increased by division .in autumn. 
Erica (Heath). — Dwarf evergreen flowering shrubs, many 
of the species of which are natives of this country. Nat Ord. 
Ericaceae. These shrubs, especially the dwarf kinds, are seen 
to best advantage when grown in masses, but in small gardens 
they may be grown to good effect as edgings to beds or borders 
or on the rockery. Heaths, however, are not adapted for town 
or small suburban gardens. In the country or large suburban 
garden where there is plenty of room they should certainly be 
grown. While sandy peat is an ideal soil for heaths, they 
will nevertheless do well in sandy or gravelly loams, in fact, in 
any soil except a heavy clay. When first planted it will be 
beneficial to work in plenty of leaf-mould or decayed vegetable 
matter with the soil, and in subsequent years to top-dress with 
decayed leaf-mould. Plant in autumn. The best kinds to 
grow are: E. carnea (Alpine Forest Heath), a native of Ger- 
many; height, 6in. ; flowers, red or pink, January to April. 
E. carnea alba is a white variety of the latter. A pretty species 
for massing or edging. E. ciliaris (Dorset Heath) is a native 
of Dorset and Cornwall, grows gin. high, and bears pale red 
flowers in summer. E. cinerea (Scotch Heather) grows 6 to 
i2in. high, and bears crimson-purple flowers in summer. There 
are white, purple, scarlet, and rose-coloured varieties of this 
species, all of which are very pretty. E. lusitanica (Portuguese 
Heath) is a tender species and suitable for mild or sea-coast 
gardens only. It grows 2 to 4ft. high, and bears whitish-pink 
flowers early in the year. E. mediterranea (Irish Heath) is a 
native of Galway and Mayo in Ireland and the Mediterranean 
districts. It grows 4 to 5ft. high and bears pink flowers in 
April and May. A very pretty species, which does best in 
a peaty soil. E. hybrida is a cross between the latter and 
E. carnea, and has pinkish-purple blossoms borne throughout 
the winter. Does well as a carpeting to peat-loving shrubs. 
E. mediterranea alba is a pretty white Heath well worthy of 
tulture. E. tetralix (Bell Heather) is a beautiful native species, 
growing 6 to i2in. high, and bearing rosy-red flowers in late 
summer. This and its white form, alba, and red one, rubra, 
are charming kinds for massing in gardens. E. vagans 
(Cornish Heath) grows about a foot high, and bears pink or 
purple flowers in late summer. There are white and red 
varieties. A good kind for massing in woodland gardens. 
Increased by seeds sown in a shady bed of peaty soil and 
merely raked in. Sow in spring or autumn. The seedlings 
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