300 HARDY PERENNIALS AND 



Veronica Gentianoides. 



Syn. Y. GENTIANIFOLIA; GENTIAN-LEAVED SPEEDWELL; 



Nat. Ord. SCROPHTJLARIACE.E. 



THIS is a distinct and pleasing species, viewed as a garden 

 plant. It is very hardy, and one of the herbaceous kinds; it 

 has been grown in English gardens nearly 150 years, and came 

 originally from the Levant. It is pretty widely used, but it 

 deserves a place in every garden ; not only are its tall spikes of 

 flowers effective during their season, but the foliage, compared 

 with other Yeronicas, is of a bright and plump character. The 

 newly-formed tufts, which are somewhat rosette-shaped, have a 

 fresh appearance throughout the winter, it being one of the few 

 herbaceous subjects in which the signs of life are so visible in 

 this climate. 



The flowers are small |in. in diameter numerously produced 

 on spikes 18in. high. They are blue, striped with light and 

 dark shades ; both calyx and corolla, as common to the genus, 

 are four-parted, petals of uneven size. The flower spikes are 

 finely developed, the flowers and buds occupying 12in. of their 

 length, and tapering off to a point which bends gracefully. The 

 buds are not less prettjr than the flowers, resembling as they do 

 turquoise in a deep setting of the calyx. The leaves are smooth, 

 shining, and of much substance, 3in. to 6in. long, and lin. to 

 2in. broad, lance-shaped, serrated, and sheathing. They are of a 

 somewhat clustered arrangement close to the ground. Good 

 pieces of this plant, 1ft. to 2ft. across, are very effective, and 

 flower for a good while. 



The rich and graceful spikes are of great value for vase deco- 

 ration, one or two sufficing in connection with other suitable 

 flowers. 



There is a lovely variety of this species called V. g. variegata; 

 in shape and habit it resembles the type though scarcely as 

 vigorous, but not at all " miffy." The leaves are richly coloured 

 pale green, white, and pink ; and the flowers, as seldom occurs in 

 variegated forms, are larger and more handsome than in the 

 parent; in all respects, it is as useful, and, for forming an 

 edging, perhaps more suitable than the common form. 



Both kinds like a good fat loam and a moist situation ; they 

 may be grown either in borders or on rockwork, but specimens 

 on the latter compare poorly with those grown otherwise ; either 

 they are too dry, or the soil gets washed from them, so that the 

 new roots, which strike down from the surface-creeping stems, do 

 not find the needful nourishment. Their increase is easily 

 effected by division of the rooted stems any time after they have 

 done flowering. If the season is droughty, they should be well 

 watered. 



Flowering period, May to July. 



