(Spotted Emu Bush)

An evergreen shrub native to the mainland of Australia, spotted emu bush is tolerant of heat, drought, light freezes and tropical humidity. In fact, its generic name Eremophila literally means "desert loving." This species is best known for its narrow, gray-green leaves, and tubular flowers of red, yellow, orange or pink, with white spotted throats. Height and habit are as variable as flower color, so it pays to choose a cultivar with a known characteristics.

When the new leaves first...

(Eria Orchid, Orchid)

Intrigue, murder and thievery have followed the orchid; world explorations have been launched and fortunes won all in the pursuit of these exotic flowers. Since the 19th century, when tropical orchids were first introduced to Europe, orchids have inspired human desire and greed because of their rarity, collectability and indescribable beauty.

Measured in geologic time Orchidaceae was once thought to be a newer family but recent research has shown it is much older. One of the largest plant families,...

(Eria, Orchid)

Eria merrillii is an epiphytic (tree-dwelling) orchid grown for its attractive leaves and its many-flowered clusters of small white blooms. Also known as Eria ovata and Pinalia ovata, it is native to warm humid lowland forests from the Ryuku Islands to Borneo and New Guinea.

This evergreen perennial forms clumps of erect, fleshy, cane-like pseudobulbs, each topped by four to five leathery, lance-shaped leaves. Long clusters of whitish, somewhat unpleasantly scented...

(Alpine Heath, King George Heath, Winter Heath)

The alpine heath cultivar 'King George' is one of the first to start blooming in early winter. Hailing from the European Alps and Eastern Europe, it has pendulant urn-shaped flowers of deep pink. Its tiny, needle-like, evergreen leaves are usually medium to dark green in the warm season and turn red in the cold season.

Alpine heath should be planted in full sun and evenly moist, well-draining, acidic soil—though this species is tolerant of more alkaline soil than others. If you must prune, do...

(Alpine Heath, Spring Heath, Springwood White Heath, Winter Heath)

The small, low spreading 'Springwood White' is an evergreen subshrub with creamy white buds that open to show white blossoms in late winter and early spring. This is regarded as one of the fastest growing and toughest heaths. Erica carnea hails from the European Alps eastward into eastern Europe. It is a tidy plant with fine, needle-like, green leaves and tiny bell-shaped blooms.

Plant heath in a full sun location with evenly moist, humus-rich, well-drained soil. This species is somewhat...

(Alpine Heath, Spring Heath, Vivellii Heath, Winter Heath)

The broad, low spreading evergreen subshrub 'Vivellii' is a dwarf alpine heath that becomes covered with carmine-red flowers in winter and early spring. Erica carnea hails from the European Alps eastward into eastern Europe. This tidy cultivar has fine, needle-like, green leaves and tiny bell-shaped blooms. In winter, the leaves turn to shades of bronzy red.

Plant heath in a full sun location with evenly moist, humus-rich, well-drained soil. This species is somewhat tolerant of slightly...

(Bell Heather, Crimson Heath, Twisted Heath)

Bell heather is a low mounding evergreen subshrub that bears flashy, violet-purple flowers from early summer to autumn. Hailing from Western and Central Europe, it is one of the most difficult Erica to establish, though once it has it is quite drought tolerant and tough. Its fine, needle-like leaves are medium to dark green and held in whorls of three on its gray, upright branches.

The tiny lowers are bell-shaped and appear in dense clusters along the branch tips from late spring to...

(Bell Heather)

The bell heather 'Atropurpurea' is an evergreen subshrub grown for its clusters of bell-shaped, violet flowers which appear from early summer through autumn. Hailing from Western and Central Europe, Erica cinerea is one of the most difficult Erica to establish, though once it has it is quite drought tolerant and tough. Its fine, needle-like leaves are medium to dark green and held in whorls of three on gray, upright branches.

The tiny lowers are bell-shaped and appear in dense...

(Bell Heather, C. D. Eason Bell Heather)

The bell heather 'C.D. Eason' is an evergreen subshrub grown for its clusters of bell-shaped, magenta pink flowers that appear from early summer through autumn. Hailing from Western and Central Europe, Erica cinerea is one of the most difficult Erica to establish, though once it has it is quite drought tolerant and tough. Its fine, needle-like leaves are medium to dark green and held in whorls of three on gray, upright branches.

The tiny lowers are bell-shaped and appear in...

(Bell Heather, Velvet Night Bell Heather)

The bell heather 'Velvet Night' is an evergreen subshrub grown for its clusters of bell-shaped, deep red flowers that appear from early summer through autumn. Hailing from Western and Central Europe, Erica cinerea is one of the most difficult Erica to establish, though once it has it is quite drought tolerant and tough. Its fine, needle-like leaves are medium to dark green and held in whorls of three on gray, upright branches.

The tiny lowers are bell-shaped and appear in dense...