TREES FOR THE ROCK GARDEN 131 



bined, but under such happy circumstances a place 

 should certainly be found for this handsome and 

 little-known China Fir. 



Another uncommon coniferous shrub, also very 

 distinct and more generally useful than the last, is 

 Podocarpus alpina. Though a native of Tasmania, it 

 grows at high elevations, and is able to resist severe 

 frost. Dark green in foliage, only about 2 feet in 

 height, and of a somewhat spreading nature, it is 

 never out of place in the Rock Garden, whether large 

 or small. 



From Conifers we may pass to Veronicas, certain 

 of which might almost be mistaken for some min- 

 ute form of Cypress. Of this character is a small 

 group known in New Zealand, the natural habitat of 

 a large number of shrubby species, by the apposite 

 name of Whipcord Veronicas. Being themselves 

 alpine, are particularly well suited for grouping with 

 low-growing mountain plants. Six species or varieties 

 of this interesting section grow naturally at elevations 

 ranging from 7000 to 4000 feet, and are much more 

 hardy than is generally supposed. These are : V. 

 cupressoides, V. c. var. variabilis, V. lycopodioides, V. 

 Armstrongii, V. Hectori, V. loganioides. 



The form of V. cupressoides, known as variabilis, 

 was mistaken, on its first introduction, for a distinct 

 species, V. salicornioides, and may still be met with 

 under that name. The small violet or white flowers 

 of these miniature evergreen shrubs are not perhaps 

 much to be taken into account, but they have a 

 distinct value of their own as rock-work greenery. 



