Planting a Dry Garden - E

Echeveria include 150 species of succulents with attractive rosettes of woolly leaves topped with crowns of red or yellow flowers in spring and summer. Great in pots, rock gardens, and on the coast. Full sun and perfect drainage are essential.
 
Echinacea, the Purple Coneflower, is a North American native with showy purple daisy flowers on long stems which are good to cut. Best in average soil and good sun. Fine for windy, coastal spots. While a hardy perennial, it will flower from seed the first year if sown early enough in spring.
 
Echium ( Pride of Madeira) comes in annual and perennial forms from low, spreading shrubs to giant spikes towering 5m. E. fastuosum being the tallest. E. lycopsis, Patterson's Curse, makes an excellent shrubby garden plant covered in pink, white, blue or purple bell-shaped blooms. Great on the coast and loved by bees. Must be kept dry and well drained.
 
Epacris (e-pak'-ris), is known as Australian Heath. This 1m shrub needs perfect drainage and dry/moist situations. The flowers of the 40 species resemble heathers, heaths and fuchsias in red, orange, white, and pink shades.
 
Epidendrum radicans, the Crucifix Orchid, is a tropical American native suitable for the subtropical or container garden as it is frost tender. The tall, climbing canes can attain 2.5 m. and carry clustered flower spikes of small orchids in red, yellow, pink, white and mauve. Good on the coast or in drier positions with some shelter and support.
 
Epiphyllum, the Orchid Cactus, is a brilliant, semi-climbing or weeping succulent for the frost free, perfectly drained, semi-shaded garden. The flat, succulent stems can cling to the bark of trees allowing them to climb to great heights. They also make a spectacular cascade from a basket especially when the giant 20cm or more flowers open in summer. Many are night flowering. The yellow and white varieties are very fragrant.
 
Erica ( Heath or Heather) include 500 species from South African and Australia. These evergreen shrubs thrive in dry, poor soils with perfect drainage in full sun to part shade. Avoid moist, acid soils. A stone mulch provides the constant dry/moist conditions they prefer. Flowers are good to dry.
 
Erigeron daisy is almost a noxious weed which is smothered year-round in white daisies that later turn pink. They look effective on banks and dry, sunny borders when planted with Eschscholzia, the California Poppy, in all its' sunny colours. The Australian Eristemon, the Geralton Waxflower, with it's white and pink star flowers and piny foliage is easy to grow in a dry sunny spot.
 
They also grow in the part shade of Eucalyptus. This famously drought resistant tree comes in at least 600 species with something for everyone. For a real splash of colour try the ever-hardy, Yellow Marguerite, known as Euryops. It looks great when planted nearby a planting of Euphorbias. These succulent stemmed plants have brilliant coloured leaves in white, pink, yellow or red surrounding small flowers. Poinsettia is the best know species