"Besides these there are many other fine masses.
"Among plants other than Bamboos found in the garden the Yuccas are possibly next in importance. One group is on a bank on the north side having a slope to the south. It is thus exposed to full sun and the plants are happy. In both summer and winter the group forms a delightful picture. The groundwork is composed of the elegant glaucous-leaved Y. angustifolia, while here and there a plant of Y. filamentosa has crept in. Height is given to the group by dot plants of Y. gloriosa and Y. recurvifolia, while a plant of Cotoneaster thymifolia growing between the roots in front adds a little in the way of variety. The whole picture is set in an irregular framing of Bamboos and other plants, some of the most conspicuous of which are Miscanthus sinensis in front, Arundinaria japonica, A. Hindsii var. graminea, Phyllostachys aurea and P. Castillonis, and Pampas Grass at the back and sides.
"A collection of hardy species of Smilax is allowed to ramble at will over the tree roots which form the bays, each species having its own particular place. The species cultivated are S. aspera and its varieties, S. maculata and S. mauritanica, S. Bona-nox var. hastata, S. hispida, S. rotundifolia, and S. tamnoides.
"In addition to the plants named, others given places in the garden are Kniphofias, Funkias, Eremuri, Physalis (grown for winter effect), Ruscus, Asparagus, &c., the whole forming an interesting collection, and one which must be seen to be fully appreciated.
"The Kew collection is composed of Arundinaria anceps, A. auricoma, A. chrysantha, A. Falconeri, A. Fortunei, A. F. compacta, A. Hindsii, A. H. graminea, A. humilis, A. japonica, A. macrosperma, A. m. tecta, A. nitida, A. pumila, A. Simoni, A. S. variegata, and A. Veitchii. Bambusa agrestis, B. angustifolia, B. disticha, B. marmorea, B. Nagashima, B. palmata, B. pygmæa, B. quadrangularis, and B. tessellata. Phyllostachys aurea, P. bambusoides, P. boryana, P. Castillonis, P. flexuosa, P. fulva, P. Henonis, P. Marliacea, P. mitis, P. nigra, P. n. punctata, P. Quilioi, P. ruscifolia, P. sulphurea, and P. viridi-glaucescens."
CHAPTER XXVIII
THE HEATHS
Few groups of small flowering shrubs are so charming in the garden as the hardy Heaths. Their usually neat growth, profusion of flowers, and length of time they are in beauty—sometimes three or four months—make them of great garden value. Not more than twelve species can be grown in the open air, but, with one or two exceptions, all are beautiful, as the following complete list suggests: Erica arborea, E. australis, E. carnea, E. ciliaris, E. cinerea, E. lusitanica (or codonodes), E. Mackaii, E. mediterranea, E. multiflora, E. scoparia, E. stricta, E. Tetralix, and E. vagans.
When the whole group is grown, one or more species may be had in flower every month in the year, except, perhaps, November. A hybrid between E. mediterranea and E. carnea (sold under the name of mediterranea hybrida) has been seen much of late, and is a very welcome little shrub, flowers appearing in some years even in November. Every year some expand before Christmas, and during January it is the brightest plant in the outdoor garden. E. carnea and the white variety follow it; then in a cluster come E. australis, E. arborea, E. lusitanica (codonodes), E. mediterranea and its several varieties, which fill up the months from March to May, and from June onwards we have E. cinerea, E. ciliaris, E. Mackaii, E. scoparia (the least worthy of the Heaths), E. stricta, and E. Tetralix. The two allied species, E. vagans and E. multiflora, carry on the Heath season until October.