Common genus though this is, it holds a special place with that other flower of spring, the affodil, in my affection. The only virtue absent beauty of form, but the cascade of yellow blossom which brightens the early spring is efficient recompense for lack of quality in other aspects. All are obviously tolerant of a wide range of soils, or they would not be such a :nspicuous part of the landscape from one end the country to the other. Indeed, they are recently adaptable to be used as a hedge.
Unfortunately, they are frequently pruned into a grotesque travesty of vegetation which reduces them to a degree of ugliness beyond belief, without materially improving flower production. I prune every two or three years, but only to promote strong young shoots by removing the really old wood. Cuttings taken from June onwards root readily with little attention apart from watering.
Both coccineum, which is identical in most respects, except hardiness, with its variety above, and lanceolatum are well worth a place even in the most select garden. The latter, unlike Norquinco Valley, does have its young growth cut by late frost but grows away strongly in spite of this. A well-drained soil amongst heathers will suit the species and varieties admirably. Propagation is by cuttings of firm young shoots from June to August.
Fuchsia magellanica comes from Chile, a vastly different climate to that of the British Isles. However, growth is vigorous up to 6 to 8 ft. high, and in the summer the shoots are decorated for months with the typical fuchsia flowers, a combination of purple-blue and red. The white form I would not plant unless my garden had room to spare.
For soils which contain any hint of lime only Erica carnea, E. x darleyensis, E. mediterranea, whose varieties offer a wide choice but limited flowering season, and of course E. terminalis, which flowers in June, are suitable. In planning a heather garden make the lines flow in long informal curves exactly as for calluna, preparing the soil to receive them in the same way.
The quality of Tom Thumb is such that it has actually had a place in my rock garden for 16 years, and flowers all mixed up with the paler blooms of satureia. It reaches about 10 in. high
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