ERICA. Heath. Europe to South Africa. A large group of woody plants varying in habit from low mats to small trees. Typically they have small needle-like leaves arranged brush-like around the stems. Most of the hardy heaths have tiny bell shaped flowers clustered at or near the branch tips. Those of the South African species are often larger and tubular or lantern shaped. I miss my menagerie of South Africans, with all their strange forms and brilliant colors. The freeze of 1990 dramatically restated a lesson I had already learned, the hard way, about the limits of their hardiness. The hardy ericas generally thrive in full sun along the coast, light shade inland; many of the South Africans are more heat-tolerant and require more intense light to bloom well. They need well drained, preferably acid soil and moderate watering. Hardiness varies.

carnea. This is a low, mounding shrub, usually around 1’ high and 3’ broad when mature. It has rich green foliage and produces masses of short flower spikes with small, narrow blossoms in early spring. ‘Springwood White’ is a plant of typical form, with pure white blossoms. ‘Springwood Pink’ is a little lower growing, with clear pink flowers. ‘Vivellii’ is an exceptionally low, tight mound, with deep green foliage, red-tinged in new growth, and crimson flowers. 0^oF or below.

darleyensis. A dense mound, usually under 1’ high and perhaps 3’ wide. It has dark green leaves, bronze-tinted in new growth. It displays masses of rose pink blossoms for many weeks in winter and early spring. ‘Darley Dale’ is the traditional favorite, with pink flowers. ‘Furzey’ grows up to 18" high and has deeper pink flowers. ‘Arthur Johnson’ combines this dark flower color with thicker growth, normally only 8" high. Another low selection, with pure white flowers, is ‘Alba Mollis’. 0-10^oF.

‘Dawn’. A soft, billowy mound perhaps 8-12" by 2-3’. It has tightly packed bluish green leaves and carries many short spikes of bright pink blossoms through the summer months. 0^oF.

vagans ‘Mrs. D. F. Maxwell’. Cornish Heath. A compact, low growing (usually 1’) selection with dark green foliage, hidden by masses of rose pink blossoms in mid and late summer. 0^oF.