384 breck's neav book of flowers. 



VERONICA.— Speedwell. 



An extensive genus, most of the species being ornamen- 

 tal plants, the taller growing sorts suitable for the bor- 

 ders, and those of a more dwarfish habit for the rockery. 

 The flowers are produced in spire-like spikes, or racemes, 

 and are generally blue ; but some few species are white, 

 and others pink. 



Veronica Virginica, is a tall, strong-growing species, 

 four or five feet high, with white flowers in clustered 

 spikes ; in July and August ; suitable for the shrubbery. 

 V. Sihirica has blue flowers, in spikes, in July and Au- 

 gust ; two feet high. Y. speciosa is a dwarf-species, with 

 brilliant blue flowers, in spikes ; June and July. V. azu- 

 rea is two or three feet high, with fine sky-blue flowers. 

 V. spicata is about one foot high, with fine blue flowers. 

 There are as many as fifty species, all easily cultivated in 

 almost any soil ; propagated by dividing the roots. 



VINCA. — Periwinkle. 



Vinca minor. — Common Periwinkle. — A hardy ever- 

 green prostrate plant, rooting at the joints; flowers blue 

 with a white variety. 



V. major. — Great Periwinkle, with larger and rounder 

 leaves than the foregoing an'd not quite so hardy, ever- 

 green trailing plants ; valuable for their early and long- 

 continued flowering, flourishing under tlie shade and drip 

 of trees. It is best to give a little protection in winter. 

 A variety of each, with gold-edged leaves, is very beau- 

 tiful but not so hardy. There is also a variety with silver- 

 edged leaves. 



V. rosea, or Madagascar Periwinkle. — This is a beauti- 

 ful green-house plant, with evergreen leaves ; one variety 

 with white flowers and red eye, another with white, and 



