Prickly Heath

Prickly Heath (Pernettya) - Evergreen shrubs of the Heath family, from S. America. At one time several of the wild kinds were grown, but none proved satisfactory until by crossing and selection a race of seedlings was obtained from Ps. mucronata and angustifolia. These seedling forms of mucronata are among the most beautiful of berried shrubs, bearing dense clusters of berries varying in size from a small Pea to a small Cherry, and in color from white, pale pink, and lilac, to crimson, purple, and nearly black. The plants differ in habit, some being nearly prostrate, and others erect or drooping, though the largest are not much over 2 feet high; their fruits also vary in density and texture. They are often borne so freely that little plants of a few inches high will be loaded down with them, but in some gardens, and for no apparent reason, not many are set. The plants do best grouped together in sunny places, where they shade each others roots, and where the atmosphere is moist and the ground cool, and the soil rich in peaty or vegetable matter. They succeed well, however, in stiffer soils, such as clay and limestone marl, especially if given a little good soil at the outset, and soon make dense masses, spreading by suckers. They grow fairly well even in shade, but fruit less freely, and only fail in hot, sandy, or chalky soils, or where there is much lime. Otherwise they are fully hardy, free from insect pests, and move readily, though averse to disturbance. The small sharply-pointed deep green leaves are always neat, and the numerous bell-like white flowers expanding in May, and in pretty contrast with the bright red of the new shoots, render these little shrubs worth growing for their springtide beauty alone.