VERONICA. 



THE ENGLISH FLOWER GARDEN. 



VERONICA. 



855 



is difficult and perplexing. The shrubby 

 New Zealand kinds are good in mild 

 districts, where they do not get much 

 hurt in ordinary winter, and for seaside gar- 

 dens are especially valuable, as they with- 



Shrubby Speedwell. 



stand wind and spray better than most 

 shrubs. V. speciosa is the commonest in 

 seaside places. It is of dense growth, with 

 broad leaves and erect feathery spikes of 

 deep purplish-blue flowers. The variety 

 imperialis has flowers of a rich red-purple, 

 and in rubra they are inclined to red or 

 to rose-pink. V. speciosa is but half- 

 hardy, in cold localities requiring pro- 

 tection in winter, but is a good shrub for 

 a light, airy, and cool greenhouse. V. 

 salicifolia (the Willow-leaved Veronica), 

 called also V. Lindleyana, is about 2 ft. 

 high, with long narrow leaves, and spikes 

 of white or purplish flowers. V. ligustri- 

 folia has narrower leaves, and white 

 flowers in feathery spikes. V. elliptica, 

 known also as V. decussata, is something 

 like V. speciosa, but smaller both in foliage 

 and growth ; and V. Andersoni, said to 

 be a hybrid, also resembles V. speciosa, 



having spikes of bluish-violet flowers. 

 The variegated form of Andersoni is a 

 half-hardy bedding plant, but though fine 

 in itself used too much in parks and 

 gardens. Many well variegated things 

 are spoilt through being planted anywhere 

 and everywhere. All the foregoing are 

 half-hardy, but suitable only for walls and 

 warm spots in the mildest districts and at 

 the seaside. Of the larger kinds only one 

 is thoroughly hardy in all parts of England, 

 V. Traversi, a neat shrub, forming a 

 round-headed bush about 4 ft. high, in 

 late summer very beautiful when 

 crowded with spikes of pale mauve 

 flowers. Among dwarfer kinds, V. ver- 

 benacea, V. fruticulosa, V. alpina, V. 

 aphylla, V. Nummularia, V. Guthrieana, 

 V. austriaca, V. incisa, V. bellidioides, and 

 V. Dabneyi, are of good dwarf habit, 

 and suited for a rock-garden. The pink 

 variety of V. officinalis forms when 

 established dense patches of pink- 

 coloured blossoms, sometimes raised 3 in. 

 above the ground. These mentioned are 

 so hardy, that they may be divided or 

 transplanted at all seasons. Such kinds 

 as V. longifolia require frequent division 

 to prevent too crowded growth. Most of 

 the kinds ripen abundance of seed, and 

 round them come up seedlings which vary 

 in colour and form. 



V. amethystina is 12 to 18 in. high, 

 but rather too diffuse. It should be cut 

 down in autumn, as otherwise it trails in 

 an untidy way. In June it produces many 

 terminal racemes of blossoms. 



V. Chamsedrys ( Germander Speedwell} 

 has been recommended for covering 

 beds where late-flowering bulbs are 

 grown. A curious variety, named pedun- 

 culata, is quite distinct and a neat plant. 



V. gentianoides is one of the earliest 

 of the Speedwells, and flowers in May. 

 Three forms are common the type 

 with gray flowers, a variety with white 

 flowers and bright glossy leaves like the 

 Gentianella, and another with handsome 

 variegated leaves. All are worth growing. 



V. incana, also called V. Candida, is a 

 dwarf plant with silvery leaves, and dark 

 rich purple flowers. It is used with 

 good effect in bedding, its gray leaves 

 being a contrast to most other foliage. V. 

 neglecta is similar but inferior. Division. 



V. longifolia is the commonest garden 

 species, generally sold as V. spicata, and in 

 four varieties blue, white, rose-coloured, 

 and purple. The variegation of the leaves 

 is uncertain and irregular, but the habit of 

 the plant is good. The rich colour of the 

 flower, the length of the flower-spike, and 

 the sturdy and compact growth of the 



