Erica erigena & other rare Irish heathers

[ashley]

Today's Irish Times has an interesting short article on 'Lusitanian' heather species in Ireland, here.

[Paddy Tobin]

Michael Viney puts is all so much more succinctly and more interestingly than Dr. Nelson and, though I have a copy of his book to hand, I have yet to bring myself past flicking a few pages and think I may find it beyond me to go any further. Heathers were so popular in the seventies and eighties as garden plants but I really never warmed to them and always thanked our dog who found them so tasty and tore them all out.

Paddy

[ashley]

Yes I've enjoyed Michael Viney's column for decades, and when living elsewhere it was my main contact with the natural world at home in Ireland.

I'd agree with you about many heathers in gardens Paddy, but the wild species in their natural setting are another matter entirely.

[Paddy Tobin]

Have you read C. Nelson's book?

Paddy

[ashley]

No I haven't Paddy, although from what you say it's not easy going! 

Several years ago I read an excellent book chapter on the various Irish heathers, possibly in David Cabot's 'Ireland' in the New Naturalist series, but unfortunately can't find my copy just now to check. 

Michael Viney's 'Ireland' published in the Smithsonian Natural History series is also very good I think (although doesn't cover heathers).