EASILY GROWN ROCK PLANTS 109 
vide the necessities of life for such hardy and free-growing 
species as V. repens, V. officinalis, or V. longifolia and its 
several varieties. The majority of the types have flowers 
of some shade of blue, a number having white counterparts, 
whilst there are several pretty pinks of various shades. 
The best for rock gardening are the prostrate species and 
those of the “Club Moss” type, which bear a remark- 
able resemblance to coniferous shrubs on a small scale. 
Of these latter V. cupressoides, V. hectori, and V. sali- 
cornoides are good examples, but for large rock gardens 
there are many species of evergreen shrubby character 
that are capable of fine effects, although it must be ad- 
mitted that, generally speaking, these are less hardy than 
the prostrate growers and the herbaceous section. 
Unfortunately a great deal of confusion exists in the 
nomenclature of Veronicas, and it is a task of considerable 
difficulty to describe in simple language the distinguishing 
details of the correct plant where two or three are com- 
monly met with under one name. I do not want to weary 
readers with many botanical or technical terms, and 
even though I did so there would still be likelihood of 
errors, for even the leading experts are far from unanimous 
in their decisions regarding Veronicas. I shall therefore 
content myself with mentioning just a few interesting 
and distinct kinds that may well be planted on the rockery 
or in the Alpine bed to provide pleasing variety, all those 
mentioned being quite simple in their cultural requirements. 
V. Allioni is a good one, growing about 6 inches high, 
and producing comparatively long spikes of deep rich 
blue flowers. 
