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(18.) The Species of Veronica. 



The species of Veronica are perhaps the most important of 

 all New Zealand plants for garden purposes. The genus con- 

 tains at least one hundred more or less distinct species, and 

 some of these, again, many forms which would be amply 

 distinct in any gardener's estimation. Here it is impossible 

 to attempt more than the briefest description of the genus 

 from the horticultural standpoint. 



Not only does Veronica, in New Zealand, yield a great 

 variety of species, but also there are astonishing differences 

 in their forms. Thus the shrubs may be prostrate or erect, 

 compact and ball-like or straggling, densely leafy or the leaves 

 reduced to scales and the plant resembling a cypress (the 

 whipcord veronicas). Then, there are all degrees in height, 

 from tall shrubs 15 ft. or more to those not raised more than 

 i in. above the ground. The flowers, too, differ considerably ; 

 they may be in small heads, racemes of various length, or 

 long branched panicles. The colour is usually white, but 

 crimson, lilac, violet, and blue are met with. In many 

 species the leaves are green, but in some they are glaucous. 



Nearly all are easy to cultivate seeds germinate rapidly, 

 cuttings strike readily, many are not fastidious as to their 

 water-requirements. The greater number of the species are 

 as hardy as any New Zealand plants, especially those with 

 glaucous foliage. If cuttings are taken from adult plants in 

 the autumn, they will bloom during the succeeding summer. 

 Such small plants can be bedded out in the rock-garden, &c., 

 where they are most effective. The compact-growing veronicas 

 lend an admirable effect to the garden landscape when massed 

 together upon banks, but without touching, those of the ball- 

 like form being specially suited for this purpose, and looking 

 as if they had been purposely trimmed into their shape ; 

 indeed, nearly all the leafy erect species bear clipping to any 

 extent. Several species (V. elliptica, V. parviftora, V. Traversii, 

 V. leiophylla) make excellent hedges. A small form of V. 

 buxi folia can be used satisfactorily as an edging to a flower 

 border, after the manner of the box. 



The following selection of distinct species may serve as a 

 guide to the gardener, but it must be pointed out that many 



