THE 



Mat, 18C5. 



SHRUBBY VERONICAS. 



l^aBROlN'ICAS are at present esteemed by the few 

 'yQA, and but little known to the many in the garden- 

 \\ a/ 1 ™8 wor ld- ^ e ^ °f ^ ie man y choice plants 

 adapted to the wants of amateurs these ought to 

 rank very high, and be grown extensively. 

 "When well grown they are massive in outline, 

 and their handsome dark green leaves afford a fine 

 relief to the colours of their flowers, which are abun- 

 dantly produced, and are always pleasing. Among 

 the reasons that present themselves in recommending 

 these plants to the more favourable notice of amateurs 

 are the following : — They are in the first instance highly 

 ornamental, and well adapted for greenhouse and conservatory decora- 

 tion, and for plunging out of doors, where in the autumn they appear 

 to great advantage if the plants are large and skilfully grouped. They 

 are so nearly hardy that the protection of an unheated greenhouse is 

 quite sufficient to carry them through the winter safely. They do not 

 quickly suffer from neglect ; if rather dry at the root, or if watered to 

 excess, there is not the immediate or extensive mischief produced which 

 would occur in the case of many other favourites, but, of course, every 

 kind of ill-treatment is an injury to veronicas, and they deserve good 

 treatment. Lastly, they do not appear to suffer from dust, smoke, and 

 atmospheric impurities, so that they are good town flowers, and in 

 every sense well adapted for those amateur cultivators who are often 

 away from home, and consequently nnable to afford to plants of delicate 

 habit the regular and careful attentions they require. 



The shrubby veronicas can be grown in various ways, as may be 

 determined by the wants of the cultivator. They are sometimes planted 

 against dwarf walls, and in sheltered places do not greatly suffer from 

 the frosts of winter. The writer has seen in a garden in Hants a divid- 

 ing fence formed of V. Andersoni, which presented a remarkable and 

 vol. viii. — xo. t. r 



