Eccremocarpus (_Calampelis_).--These climbing half-hardy perennials
will grow in any garden soil, a light, loamy one being preferable.
Sow the seed in autumn on a slight hotbed, pot off, and winter in a
greenhouse. The plants will be ready to turn out on a warm south wall
in April or May. Cut them down in the autumn, and cover the roots with
dry leaves: they will shoot up again in the spring. The foliage
is dark and Clematis-like; the flowers are borne in clusters, are
tube-shaped, and bright orange-scarlet in colour. They are increased
by cuttings.
Echeveria.--Choice greenhouse evergreen shrubs. They grow best in a
sandy loam, with a little peat, mixed with pulverised brick rubbish.
Water must be given cautiously. Young plants may be taken off the
parent in October and pressed firmly, but without bruising them, in
light, rich soil. Cuttings should be left for a few days to dry before
planting. They flower in autumn. In winter keep them in a cold frame,
and as dry as possible. Height, 1 ft. to 2 ft.
Echinacea Purpurea (_Purple Cone Flower_).--A stately hardy perennial,
very pretty when in flower, but hardly suitable for cutting purposes.
It likes a rich, light, loam soil and plenty of sunshine. The roots
may be divided in spring, after growth has fairly started. It blooms
during September and October. Height, 2-1/2 ft.
Echinops (_Globe Thistle_).--Coarse perennial plants, of stiff growth.
Any soil suits them, and they may be increased by dividing the roots.
They bloom in July. Height, 4 ft.
Echium Creticum.--A scarlet-flowering hardy annual which should be
grown wherever bees are kept. Sow in spring in any garden soil.
Height, 1-1/2 ft.
Edelweiss.--_See_ "Gnaphalium."
Edraianthus Dalmaticus.--A charming little herbaceous perennial which
proves quite hardy in our climate, and well deserves a place in the
rockery. Plant in deep, rich loam, and cover the surface of the crown
with 1/2 in. of coarse sand. It may be propagated from off-sets, taken
with as much root as possible as soon as flowering ceases. Winter the
young plants in a cold frame, and do not give them too much water, or
they will rot. They will bloom in July and August. Height, 4 in.
Egg-Plant (_Aubergine_).--The fruit of the egg-plant is edible. The
seed is sown in March or April in pots of well-drained, light, rich
soil, and placed in a cucumber frame or on a hotbed with a temperature
of 75 degrees. When the plants are fairly up they are potted off
separately, and when they have started into growth the points are
pinched out, so as to induce a bushy habit. It is necessary to keep
the roots well supplied with water. When the fruit is set, the growth
is stopped at the first joint beyond it. They are mostly treated as
greenhouse pot-plants, but may be grown in the open if planted on a
south border, in ridges like those made for cucumbers, and covered
with hand-glasses till established. The Aubergine is a tender annual.
Height, 2 ft.