Ze, 
There are many charming “ Speedwells” (Veronica) coming 
along at about this time. Veronica rupestris, raised from seeds, 
gave us a heteromorphic conglomeration of dwarfs not over three 
inches high, which are simply smothered with racemes of flowers 
in shades of pink and blue. 
Veromca pectinata makes a close carpet of gray, woolly foliage. 
There are two forms, one with rose colored flowers, the other 
with blue. IV’. gentianoides has bright green foliage with spires 
of blue flowers about eighteen inches high. V’. repens is a diminu- 
tive creeper with pale blue flowers, barely attaining a height of 
one half an inch. A little shade and moist well-drained soil is 
appreciated by this delightful Speedwell. Others of this genus 
that are worthy of mention are ’. Allionii and V. filiformis, both 
valuable carpeting plants. 
The silvery, and gray leaved Millfoils are good for sunny, dry 
If treated liberally in the matter of 
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places in the rock garden. 
soil they grow too lush and pass out during the winter or during 
hot humid spells in the summer. One of: the best of the silvery 
kinds is Achillea ageratifolia var. Aizoon (Anthemis Aizoon), 
European Alps, which displays its heads of white flowers on eight 
inch stems at this time. Another desirable species is A. serbica 
from the Balkan region with gray-green, toothed leaves and 
white flowers. 
Primroses of various kinds are now blooming. Those with 
flowers in whorls are represented by Primula japonica (Fig. 17), 
with leaves which remind one of Romaine lettuce, and flowers 
ranging in color from white to carmine. This is a strong growing 
kind that delights in moisture. Others in this group are P. 
Bulleyana, bright orange, and its hybrids. The Asiatic P. Sie- 
boldi, belonging in the cortusoides section with loose heads of 
flowers on fragile stems, grows well in half-shady places in soil rich 
in humus. There are many garden forms of this species. Then 
we have a number of kinds received under various names that 
have a strong resemblance to the Cowslip (Primula veris). These 
have yellow flowers, in umbels, that possess a faint, delicious 
— 
perfume. 
The Alpine Aster (A. alpinus), of which there are many, many, 
forms is now profusely in bloom. The variety alba is not so 
