162 THE WILD GARDEN. 



There are variously-coloured and very pretty varieties of V. minor, 

 while the variegated forms of both species are handsome, and may be 

 naturalised like the green kinds. 



Speedwell, Veronica.- — Herbaceous plants, usually rather tall 

 (l|- feet to 3 feet), in some cases dwarf and neat alpine plants with 

 blue flowers in various shades ; are among the hardiest of plants, and 

 will grow in any soil. All the taller kinds are admirably suited for 

 naturalisation among long grass and other herl)aceous vegetation. A 

 great number that are in cultivation in borders are only fit for this 

 purpose. The dwarf kinds are equally suitaltle for bare places, or 

 among other dwarf plants. 



Violet, Viola. — A numerous race of dwarf and interesting plants, 

 thriving freely in our climate, in half- shady places, rocky spots or 

 banks, fringes of shrubberies, or almost any position. The very hand- 

 some bird's-foot violet of N. America (V. pedata) would thrive in sandy 

 level places or on rocky banks. In this family occur a good many 

 kinds, such as V. canadensis, which, not being fragrant, or nnt possess- 

 ing sufficient charms to ensure their* general cultivation in gardens, are 

 peculiarly suited for this sort of gardening. Our cnTi sweet violet 

 should be abundantly naturalised wherever it does not occur in a 

 wild state. 



Adam's-Needle, Yucca. — Although these scarcely come into this 

 selection, yet their fine liabit and their hardiness give them a charm 

 for us even in a Avild garden. A legitimate aim, on the part of any 

 one carrying out this to any extent, would be to try and develop a 

 sub-tropical aspect of vegetation in certain places. In such a case the 

 Yuccas could not be dispensed with. The free-flowering kinds (Y. 

 flaccida and Y. filamentosa) should not be omitted, as they are more 

 likely to spread and increase than the larger ones ; all such plants are 

 better held together in groups. 



