This section is from the book "Garden Trees and Shrubs", by Walter P. Wright. Also available from Amazon: Garden Trees And Shrubs Illustrated In Colour.
Spiculifolia, which is offered in some catalogues, is a Heath-like plant with purplish flowers, liking peaty soil. The height is about a foot.
It might be grown with other small members of the Ericaceae in a peat bed at the foot of a rockery.
A member of the Ericaceae, liking moist peaty soil. Empetriformis (syn. Menziesia empetriformis) with purplish flowers in summer, height about six inches, is offered.
This genus of deciduous shrubs is dealt with in Chapters 9. and 18. Globosa makes a useful and compact small tree, and is both attractive and interesting when bearing its little golden balls. It should have light friable soil and a sheltered place. Variabilis Veitchiana bears splendid panicles of purplish inflorescence. B. V. magnifica resembles it, but has deeper coloured flowers. Both of these are hardier than globosa, but enjoy a wall border. Colvilei, crimson, is beautiful but tender. They flower in summer and hold their leaves until winter.
 
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