Heaths, heathers, and Bog Rosemary are closely related. They are all small, bushy plants grown chiefly for their tiny, bell-shaped flowers. The leaves are short and narrow, but so thick the plants give a green carpet effect when not in bloom. Some varieties withstand cold well. They come in many varieties suitable as ground covers or to add color in rock gardens or shrub borders.      Heaths (Erica) do best with direct sun in a moist but well-drained mixture of 1 part peat moss, 1 part coarse sand, and 1 part soil. Most require an acid soil, although E. cinerea and E. darleyensis will tolerate alkaline conditions. Feed in early spring with a light dusting of cottonseed meal or rhododendron-azalea-camillia fertilizer scattered on the ground as far as the branches spread. Do not cultivate the soil around plants--their roots are shallow and easily damaged; instead, mulch heaths with 1 to 2 inches of chunky peat moss, wood chips, sawdust, or ground bark. Do not prune E. darleyensis; simply snip off faded flowers. Shear E. carnea back one half to two thirds of its height after flowering to encourage new growth. Prune other low-growing types just as new growth begins. Heaths can be transplanted easily at almost any season.      Heathers (Calluna) thrive in poor sandy soil and full sun. They also tolerate light shade but bear fewer flowers in it. Heathers are best planted in early spring in cold climates, but may be set out in spring or fall where winter temperaturs rarely drop below zero. Do not cultivate the soil around plants--their roots are shallow and easily damaged; instead, mulch heathers with 1 to 2 inches of wood chips, sawdust, buckwheat hulls, or simialr material, and water during dry periods. To keep plants bushy and stimulate blossoming, shear them back halfway with hedge shears in early spring just before new growth begins. Do not prune at any other time. If the leaves are pale and growth is not satisfactory, apply a small amount of cottonseed meal or an acid fertilizer, of the kind sold for rhododendrons or camellias, in early spring.      Bog Rosemary (Andromeda) is a lime-hating evergreen dwarf shrub related to heaths and heathers, but with broader, leathery leaves. Cultivation is the same as for heaths, but generally they like cool, moist shade and acid soil. Little pruning is needed.      Gaultherias (wintergreens) neat and compact dwarf or prostate shrubs with small urn/globe-shaped flowers, white or pinkish in early summer; showy berries. For semi-shade; generally moderately to very hardy.

	Bog Rosemary, ultra-hardy shrublet; compact clusters of pink to white urn-shaped 1/4 inch flowers from late spring.
	'Mediterranean White' Heath, slow growing dwarf shrub with very small needle-like whorled leaves and profuse 1/4 inch white flowers.
	'Mediterranean Pink' Heath, slow growing dwarf shrub with very small needle-like whorled leaves and profuse 1/4 inch pink flowers.
	Wintergreen, creeping wintergreen is ultra-hardy, creeping, and mat-forming. Grows to 6 by 24 inches or wider with 1-2 inch glossy leaves at branch tips, reddish in winter. Flowers in mid summer with red fruit following.

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