A multi-stemmed upright deciduous shrub to 4 m high from temperate Himalayan regions. The stems are smooth, round, hollow and bamboo-like. Also known as Elisha's Tears, it is fastgrowing and vigorous. Leaves are large, soft, heart-shaped at the base and taper to a pointed apex. The new growth is red. The white tubular flowers in summer and autumn grow in long drooping lantern-like spikes, partly concealed by deep reddish-purple bracts. These bracts, which resemble leaves, are found at the base of the flowers. The fruit is a round purplish-black fleshy berry containing more than 100 small seeds.

Introduced by birds deep into fragile and sensitive moist bushland.

A slender, upright shrub to 1 m with tubular flowers from late autumn to late spring. Densely packed flowers up to 2.5 cm long are arranged singly in the leaf axils around the stem and assume a cylindrical brush-like appearance. Common Heath has many colour forms including pure white, pale pink, rose pink, crimson, scarlet and rare double flowered forms.

This native high country perennial species prefers colder climates where it will thrive and flower prolifically. It is a frost tolerant, compact, erect and robust herb or sub-shrub reaching a height of 1.5 m. The white to pale blue flowers are spectacular and clustered into dense, colourful heads at the end of each branch. The buds are an attractive pink to lilac colour. Flowers appear in summer, however if the conditions are right it can flower for up to 6 months.

These plants flourish is grown in strong filtered light with plenty of fresh air. They do not like too much heat and need to be protected from frosts and hot winds. They must be kept moist, but not wet and need protection from the strong afternoon sun. There are more than 100 forms available ranging from small to tall shrubs with many suited to hanging baskets. All have pendulous blooms in various shades of pink, red, purple, lilac and white with many bi-colours. Ask at your local garden centre for the best cultivars for your garden.