180 THE GARDENER. [April 



Ir, is scarcely necessary to say that both species, with their varieties, 

 are perfectly hardy, and that they grow freely in almost every 

 variety of soil. Few of the low-growing evergreens are more valu- 

 able for covering bare ground under the shade or drip of trees ; while, 

 if not quite so luxuriant, they succeed very well on rough banks or 

 rockeries with sunny exposures, which they soon clothe and render 

 attractive with their abundant bright foliage and beautiful flowers. 

 They are sometimes used for vases and hanging-baskets both in the 

 open air and in the conservatory — a purpose for which, from their 

 long, graceful stems, all the sorts are peculiarly adapted. 



V. minor (the Lesser Periwinkle). — The long wiry stems of this 

 species trail along the ground, and when in contact with soil strike 

 root at almost every joint. The leaves are oblong lanceolate, and 

 of a dark shiny-green tint. The flowers are light blue, usually pro- 

 duced in succession from March till September, though in mild 

 seasons, when growing in sunn}' aspects, they are sometimes seen 

 iu midwinter. 



Yar. alba. — This variety differs only from the species in having 

 pure-white flowers. 



Yar. flori-pleno. — Flowers double, bright blue; an exceedingly 

 pretty and free-flowering variety. 



Yar. argentea. — The leaves of this plant are freely variegated with 

 pure white. 



Yar. aurea — with leaves variegated with bright gold. Both this 

 and the preceding are very ornamental, and might be utilised with 

 advantage in carpet-bedding and margins of flower borders. 



V. major (the Greater Periwinkle). — This species is much larger 

 in all its parts than the other. The stems being thicker, are sub- 

 erect, rising sometimes 2 feet, after which the tops droop to the 

 ground, giving the plant when standing alone the appearance of a 

 dwarf, bushy-headed shrub. The leaves, which are fully twice the 

 size of ''minor," are ovate-cordate, minutely ciliated, and bright 

 glossy green. The flowers vary in shades of blue and purple ; they 

 <•- >me out in succession from March till September, though they 

 sometimes appear in midwinter. 



Yar. elegantissima. — A variety with fine golden variegated leaves. 

 A superb plant, well worthy of a prominent place in any flower- 

 garden or shrubbery border. 



Yar. aurea reticulata. — Another beautiful plant, with its leaves 

 p-ominently netted with bright gold. 



Yar. argentea. — Leaves variegated with white. 



Hugh Fraser. 



