Species of Heaths and Related Plants

New Zealand Journal of Agriculture, Volume 98, Issue 4, 15 April 1959, Page 404

Species of Heaths and Related Plants

/COMPARED with other shrubs heaths are small plants. In the following descriptive lists dwarf is up to 2 ft high, medium 2 to 4 ft, and tall 4 to 6 ft or more. Hardy Species (Withstand Severe Frosts) Erica arborea (tree heath) : A white winterflowering tall species which has become naturalised in some areas. The flowering shoots are cut and used by florists. E. lusitanica (Spanish heath) is similar. E. carnea: A most .useful dwarf, winterflowering species, with several white, pink, or red varieties; . will tolerate . slightly less acid soil than other’ species. E. cinerea (Scotch or bell heather) : This is the wild heather of the Scottish moors with rosy purple flowers in late summer ; ■ there are both white and deeper pink varieties. E. darleyensis : A hybrid between E. carnea and E. mediterranea. A good moderately dwarf winter-flowering shrub. Pale pink. E. mackayi: A., dwarf shrub with rosecoloured flowers in late summer. E. vagans (Cornish heath): Purplish pink flowers. The variety “Mrs D. F. Maxwell” is a more attractive plant than the species. Galluna vulgaris (ling): Grows wild in parts of New Zealand. Many garden varieties are excellent dwarf shrubs flowering in late summer; in particular the double white “Alba plena" and pink “H. E. Beale” will grow in all except the warmest parts of the country, Daboecia cantabrica (syn. polifolia) Irish heath: This plant has larger bells than most of the other hardy heaths; it flowers in late

summer and there are white, pink, and purple varieties. .... G-aultheria antip.oda (snowberry) : A New Zealand native plant; with pink or white berries; suitable for the rock garden. Pernettya nana: A very dwarf native shrub with red berries. . Pernettya macrostigma . (syn. Gaultheria perplexa) : A native with rose-pink berries. Pernettya mucronata: A hardy dwarf shrub from South America with attractive white, pink, or purple berries. Half-hardy Species (Withstand Frosts to 10 Degrees) Erica baccans (berry heath) : Tall and has become naturalised on clay soils round Auckland. ' Small heads of mauve-pink flowers at tips of shoots. _ Flowers are cut for florists and retain their colour when dry. E. bowieana (bridal heath or Albertinia heath) : Tall; the white tubular bells of flowers appear all the year. In South Africa there is also a pink variety. E. caffra: Tall; whitish flowers in early spring. E. canaliculata: Considered to be the correct name for E. melanthera, a strong-growing shrub flowering in autumn and winter with mauve bells. An excellent shrub for winter colour. E. cavendishiana: A hybrid of moderate height and with bright yellow flowers. E. cerinthoides : 'Medium height, brilliant scarlet hairy bells of flowers from late winter. E. cruenta: Tall; brilliant deep scarlet tubular flowers produced over a long period. ■E. diaphana (syn. E. transparens) : Medium height; translucent pink bells with a white tip; flowering in winter and spring. -

Erica “Dawn”: Medium height; a hybrid raised in Australia; silvery pink bells in spring. E. glandulosa: Medium height; pointed hairy or sticky shoots with curved tubular pink bells appearing most of the year. Dead flowers need removing by hand. E. mammosa (Red Signal heath) : Medium height; drooping scarlet tubular flowers produced during most of the year along the shoots. E. oatesi: Considered to be the correct name for Erica “Winter Gem”. This dwarf plant produces a brilliant display of bright red bells in winter. E. parkeri: Medium height; satin-like pink tubular flowers in dense heads in spring. E. peeria rosea: Dwarf; clusters of pink bells in early summer. . E. peziza: Dwarf; clusters of sweet-scented white bells in spring. E. rub ens: Dwarf; coral pink bells in autumn and winter; pale green leaves. E. ventricosa (wax heath) : Tall. The popular name accurately describes the glistening pink, swollen tubular flowers clustered at the tips of the shoots. Flowers from spring to autumn. Varieties with paler or deeper pink flowers are available. E. willmorei: Tall. Probably a hybrid. Pink and white tubular flowers all . through winter. A popular commercial cut flower species. Erica “Winter Gem” (see E. oatesi). Epacris: Both in Australia and New Zealand several species of epacris are native plants. Though some are valued in Europe as flowering pot plants, they are not usually grown in • gardens in New Zealand. The native E. pauciflora would justify growing as a dwarf flowering shrub. It produces white tubular flowers in spring.