Blue Flowers 221 



the plant suffers in a dry exposed place. Propagated by division of the 

 root and seeds in spring. 



SPEEDWELL, VERONICA (Veronica spicata). 2-4 ft. A vigorous plant 

 bearing numerous tapering spikes of small, bright blue flowers. While 

 it is thrifty and handsome and excellent for cutting it is also a nuisance, 

 for a seedling will establish itself in a few years so completely that one 

 cannot uproot it without tearing up a large area; and it sows itself all 

 over the garden. It needs no attention; any garden soil is sufficient. 



STACHYS, HEDGE NETTLE (S. lantana). i-i ft. Bears purple- 

 striped flowers in whorls, the upper ones forming almost a spike of 

 bloom; forms a low tuft of leaves, thick, soft and covered with silvery- 

 white wool, as is also the stem. Give a light, rich soil; propagate by 

 seeds, cuttings or division of the root. 



STOKESIA or STOKES' ASTER (S. cyanea, known also as S. Cartesia). 

 2 ft. An erect, branching perennial bearing solitary terminal flowers 

 of lavender blue, often 4-5 in. across. Give a rich soil, mixed with 

 sand, sunny location; propagate by seeds or division of the root. Protect 

 in winter. 



VERONICA, see Speedwell, also Blue Per. Aug. 



AUGUST 

 BLUE SHRUBS 



BUDDLEYA LINDLEYANA. 3-6 ft. Bears terminal racemes of reddish- 

 purple flowers. Authorities say do not prune, as it reduces the number 

 and size of flowers; but mine dies to the ground every winter, and makes 

 a new three-foot growth each year, blooming late in August. It grows 

 in any good soil in a sunny sheltered position and is propagated by 

 cuttings. When not killed back, it blooms in June or July. Several 

 other varieties I have not tried. 



CHASTE TREE (Vitex agnus-castus}. 3-6 ft. Flowers a bright blue 

 or lilac, rising above a small, neat bush; foliage grayish beneath; gives 

 of! an aromatic fragrance. Some varieties are not hardy. Give a heavy 

 mulch, cutting back the plant nearly to the ground, and the shoots that 

 start vigorously in the spring from the base yield finer flowers than they 

 would otherwise. This blue, variety is claimed to be more hardy than 

 others; recently introduced from China. 



LEAD PLANT (Amorpha canescens). 1-3 ft A shrub with deep 



