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Europe (Its foliage forms dense tufts)

Its foliage forms dense tufts in a light soil; the flowering stems sometimes attain a height of from 5ft. to 6 1/2ft., but these are only produced in very warm summers. It is an excellent plant for the sub-tropical garden.

ERICA (Erica, of Pliny, is altered from Ereike of Theophrastus; there is probably no ground for the ordinary derivation from erico, or ereiko, to break). Heath. ORD. Ericaceae. A very extensive genus (about 400 species) of greenhouse or hardy evergreen, branching, wiry shrubs, natives, for the most part, of the Cape of Good Hope. Flowers usually nodding, axillary or terminal, fascicled or racemose; pedicels two to three-bracteate; corolla persistent, with a four-lobed limb; stamens eight. Leaves opposite, alternate or verticillate, rigid, small. Cape Ericas are among the most beautiful of decorative cool-house plants. A great diversity in colour and form of flower, marks the genus as now represented in gardens. The type of form of corolla in a large number of species is shown at Fig. 718. Probably no class of plants require more careful attention for their successful cultivation, than do the majority of the species of the hardest-wooded Heaths. Many of these are not now in cultivation, their places being filled by numerous kinds of hybrid origin. Some of the softer-wooded kinds, such as caffra, colorans, gracilis (with its variety autumnalis), hybrida, hyemalis, melanthera, persoluta (var. alba), ventricosa coccinea minor and Wilmoreana, are grown in immense quantities to supply the ever-increasing demand for useful decorative plants such as these Heaths invariably make. They flower principally in autumn and winter, although the majority of the species blossom during spring and early summer. Ericas, especially the harder-wooded sorts, are liable to die suddenly from some often unknown cause, though careless potting or watering very frequently proves fatal to them.

Many of the hardy species are very attractive and useful for culture in peaty soil, as an edging to other shrubs, particularly the dwarf E. carnea, or even E. vagans. The other taller-growing species are showy when planted in beds by themselves, or with a dwarf one as an edging. They may be increased by division or layers, or by cuttings, placed in sandy peat, under handlights, in autumn.

PROPAGATION. Heaths may be readily grown from seed, a method which is, however, now seldom resorted to except for the raising of new varieties, the most commonly practised means for their propagation being that of cuttings. These are obtained from the points of the twiggy ripened shoots about the lower parts of the plants. The softwooded varieties, which commence to make new growth early in the year, will be found to yield good cuttings before the others, that are later in flowering, and consequently do not start growing again quite so early as the softer kinds. The cuttings should be about 1in. long, and, after the lower leaves have been carefully removed, be inserted rather closely in pots, which should be filled with two-thirds of crocks, the remainder being fine sandy peat with a layer of clean silver sand on the surface, and covered with a bell glass, or placed in a close-fitting handlight. After being once well watered, they should be placed in a temperature of about 60deg. The glasses will require to be rather frequently wiped dry inside, and any appearance of mould or damp on the cuttings must be sought for, and immediately removed. When growth commences, air should be very gradually admitted, and the young plants exposed to more light. They may be stopped, and remain in these pots until early the following spring, when they should be potted singly, and grown on. The same remarks apply to all greenhouse Heaths; the hardest-wooded ones are inserted later in the season, and are the most difficult to increase.

CULTIVATION. The soil used for potting Ericas, at any stage, must be good fibrous peat, broken in small lumps, with nearly one-third of clean silver sand added. Thorough drainage is at all times essential; and, to keep the compost open, the admixture of a few pieces of crock, broken fine, is advisable. The plants should never be allowed to become pot-bound, especially when young. The roots are seldom altogether inactive; and the best season for repotting any that require it is as soon as new growth commences in spring, or, with established late-flowering sorts, early autumn. The balls should not be disturbed, excepting what becomes absolutely necessary in removing the crocks; and the new soil should be rammed as firmly as the old, to prevent water passing more freely through one part than another. It is also very important that the ball should not be placed low enough to allow the stem of the plant to be buried. This condition alone, when neglected, is liable to cause the death of any number of Ericas. Anything approaching a close atmosphere must, at all times, be avoided, as this encourages the development of mildew on the leaves. When the plants are established in the summer months, a cold frame is the best place, and too much light and air cannot be given. Indeed, in dry open weather, the sashes are better removed. With the hard-wooded sorts, care must be taken to prevent water lodging amongst the leaves, or damping will result. The pots should be plunged in summer, to prevent injury to the tender roots. Exposure of established plants to sun and air, from the latter part of July till the end of September, tends greatly to ripen and solidify the growths, thus causing the greater production of flowers. For wintering Ericas, a span-roofed house, with plenty of light and available means of ventilation, is most suitable. They dislike fire heat, and it should never be applied, except to keep out frost or occasionally to expel damp. A temperature of 40deg. in severe weather will be more suitable than one higher; and when it is mild, plenty of air should be admitted. Watering is a matter of great importance at all seasons, perhaps more so than with any other class of plants. If possible, soft rain water should always be used, or some that has been exposed to sun and air in an open cistern. The plants must never be allowed to become dry; and, on the other hand, too much water, especially with individuals in bad health, is equally injurious. They should be examined each time, and watered according as experience alone can teach. The use of hard water, which invariably contains lime, often proves destructive, and should be avoided if possible. Where none but hard water is available, it may be made more suitable for Heaths by placing a bag of soot in the tank or tub, where it is kept.

The best time for pruning is as soon as the flowering season is over. The softer-wooded and freer-growing kinds should have all their strongest shoots shortened back to within an inch or two of their bases, and all the weaker ones should have their tips removed. In some cases, it will only be necessary to shorten a few of the strongest ones to induce a symmetrical habit. Some of the slow-growing sorts rarely require pruning at all. Heaths are seldom subject to attacks from insect pests--mildew being the disease to which they are most liable. This may be destroyed by dusting the affected part with flowers of sulphur, previously moistening the plant. It may be allowed to remain on the plant for several days, and be then washed off with clean water, taking care not to allow any sulphur to get in the soil. In addition to the following enumeration, it may be stated that the number of hybrids and varieties now in cultivation is very considerable, and limited space deters us from describing more of them. Indoor treatment is required except where otherwise stated.

E. Aitonia (Aiton's).* fl. pale red, or nearly white, terminal, three to four together; corolla viscid, with a cylindrical tube 1in. long, which is ventricose at top, with large ovate segments. June to September. l. three in a whorl, linear, serrulated, erect. h. 2ft. 1790. A slender branching species. SYN. E. Aitoniana. (B. M. 429.) E. A. superba (superb). An improved form of the type, with larger tubes, and a more compact habit of growth.

E. A. turgida (turgid). fl. in terminal umbels; tubes swollen at the base, and contracted above the middle, enlarging slightly at the mouth. E. A. Turnbullii (Turnbull's). fl. in umbels of about six; tube upwards of 1in. long, as thick again as those of the type; corolla lobes large, spreading, white, changing to pink. l. broader than in the type. E. Aitoniana (Aiton's). A synonym of E. Aitonia.

E. alopecuroides (fox-tail-like). fl. terminal; corolla purplishred, ovate, small; calyx coloured, ciliated. September and October. l. linear, three in a whorl. h. 1ft. 1810. (L. B. C. 874.) E. ampullacea (flask-shaped).* fl. red, terminal, usually in fours; corolla nearly 1in. long, viscid, with a ventricose tube, ribbed neck, and ovate-cordate, slightly crenulated, obtuse segments. July. l. three or four in a whorl, lanceolate, reflexed, imbricate at the base. h. 2ft. 1790. (B. M. 303.) E. andromedaeflora (Andromeda-flowered).* fl. deep red, or reddish-purple, solitary, drooping, axillary; corolla urceolate; calyx pink, nearly as long as the corolla. March to June. l. three in a whorl, ciliated, subulate, stiff, spreading. h. 1ft. to 3ft. 1803. (B. M. 1250.) E. arborea (tree-like). fl. white, axillary, racemose, small; corolla two lines long, campanulate. February to May. l. three or four in a whorl, linear, glabrous. Branches tomentose. h. 10ft. to 20ft. South Europe, 1658. Hardy. (S. F. G. 351.) There are several varieties of this species. E. Archeriana (Lady Archer's). fl. about 1in. long, axillary and terminal, crowded, verticillate; corolla deep reddish-purple or scarlet, downy, viscid, with a cylindrical, inflated tube. August and September. l. six to seven in a whorl, serrulately ciliated, spreading. 1786. (L. B. C. 1466.) E. aristata (awned). fl. terminal; corolla reddish-purple, with a paler limb, salver-shaped, inflated upwards with revolute projecting segments. March to August. l. four to five in a whorl, oblong, sub-secund, hispid, imbricated, awned at the apex. h. 1ft. to 2ft. 1801. (B. M. 1249.) E. a. Barnesii (Barnes').* fl. produced in terminal whorls; corolla tube shining red; mouth deeper red than in type; segments very broad, pure white. A very handsome hybrid.

E. a. virens (green) is closely allied to the last, but has four leaves in a whorl, not five, and the clusters of flowers are larger. E. Austiniana (Austin's).* fl. in whorls; corolla tubular; tubes white, streaked and suffused with carmine, narrow, 1in. or more in length. July and August. l. ovate-lanceolate, smooth, spreading. An excellent species. E. australis (Southern). fl. terminal, small; corolla purplish-red, three lines long, with a curved, funnel-shaped tube, and a recurved limb; anthers crested. March to July. l. four in a whorl, scabrous, spreading, mucronate. h. 3ft. to 6ft. Spain, 1769. Hardy. (L. B. C. 1472.) E. Banksiana (Banks'). fl. terminal; corolla greenish-yellow, cylindrical, with a reflexed limb; anthers brown. February. l. mucronate, loosely imbricated, three or four in a whorl. h. 9in. 1787. (A. H. iii. 105.) E. Beaumontiana (Beaumont's).* fl. axillary and terminal, drooping; corolla white, tinged with purple, campanulate; style a little exserted. June. l. linear, five to six in a whorl. h. 1ft. 1820. (A. H. vi. 253.) E. Bergiana (Bergius').* fl. terminal, drooping; corolla purple, campanulate, smooth; calyx reflexed, ciliated. May and June. l. linear-oblong, pubescent, spreading. Peduncles hairy, with a few scaly bracts. h. 1 1/2ft. 1787. (L. B. C. 939.) E. blanda (charming). fl. terminal, clustered; corolla pale red, one and one-third lines long, having the limb one-half longer than the tube, with semi-orbicular segments. May. l. three in a whorl, spreading, short, obtuse. h. 2ft. 1798. (A. H. iii. 152.) E. Bonplandiana (Bonpland's). fl. terminating the small branches, solitary or by threes, sessile; corolla white, large, with an urceolar tube, and an acute, spreading limb. March to September. l. four in a whorl, imbricate, acerose. h. 1ft. 1812. (B. M. 2126.) E. Bowieana (Bowie's).* fl. crowded, axillary, verticillate, near the tops of the branches, pendulous; corolla cylindrical, with an inflated tube and contracted mouth. October. l. linear, glaucous, glabrous. h. 1ft. 1822. (L. B. C. 842.) E. bruniades (Brunia-like). fl. in small pendulous umbels; corolla pink; stamens black; calyx covered with long white woolly hairs. May. l. short, linear-oblong, clothed with white woolly hairs, as are also the branches. h. 1 1/2ft. 1774. (A. H. i. 6.) E. caffra (Caffrarian).* fl. sweet-scented; corolla globular, very small, produced in great profusion. h. 1 1/2ft. 1802. (A. H. i. 7.) E. campanulata (bell-shaped). fl. terminal, solitary, drooping; corolla yellow, two and a-half lines long, campanulate. April to August. l. three in a whorl, subulate, glabrous. h. 1ft. 1791. (A. H. ii. 55.) E. Candolleana (Candolle's).* fl. umbellate; corolla rosy-red at the base, white towards the apex, more than 1in. long. June, July. l. erect, somewhat oblong, clothed with long hairs at the edges. Hybrid. E. carnea (flesh-coloured).* fl. pale red, axillary, drooping, disposed in secund racemes; corolla conical, tow and a-half lines long, with a pyramidal tube. January to April. l. three to four in a whorl, linear, glabrous. h. 6in. Germany, 1763. Hardy. The white-flowered form is generally called E. herbacea. (L. B. C. 1452.) E. Cavendishiana (Cavendish's).* fl. rich bright yellow, tubular, nearly 1in. long, stout. May to July. l. subulate, slightly spreading, bright dark green. h. 1 1/2ft. Hybrid. (P. M. B. xiii. 3.) E. cerinthoides (Honeywort-like).* fl. terminal, capitate, drooping; corolla scarlet, nearly 1in. long, oblong, with an inflated tube, clothed with viscid hairs outside. May to November. l. five to six in a whorl, linear-lanceolate, pilose and ciliated, bearded at the apex. h. 3ft. 1774. There are several garden forms of this species. (B. M. 220.) E. Chamissonis (Chamisso's).* fl. rose-coloured, at the tips of short side branches, solitary, or three or four together, pendulous; pedicel pink, 1/2in. long; corolla between globose and campanulate; lobes very short and broad. April. l. long, ternate, spreading, and incurved, sessile, linear, obtuse, grooved underneath from the recurvation of the margin. Branches slender, leafy, erect. h. 1 1/2ft. South Africa, 1874. An elegant plant. (B. M. 6108.) E. ciliaris (fringed).* fl. terminal, sub-racemose, secund; corolla pale red, four lines long, smooth, ovate, more ventricose on the upper side. August, September. l. three in a whorl, ovate, glandularly ciliated, spreading, rather remote. h. 1ft. Western Europe (Cornwall and Dorset). (B. M. 484; Sy. En. B. 887.) E. cinerea (ashy-grey). fl. verticillate, on the naked stems; corolla purple, changing to blue as it fades, three lines long, ovate-urceolate. August, September. l. three in a whorl. h. 6in. to 12in. Europe (Britain). (Sy. En. B. 891.) There are several varieties, including a white-flowered one, of this species.

E. codonodes (bell-bearing). fl. white and pink, small, disposed in numerous densely-crowded racemes. l. acerose, three to five in a whorl. h. 8ft. South