JULY PROBLEMS 109 



though the white is also desirable; var. Hartlandi is 

 considered an improvement. 



Several fine blue-flowered families make valuable con- 

 tributions to the July garden and linger into August 

 Veronicas, Aconites, Platycodons, Eryngiums, and Echi- 

 nops. 



The Veronicas are a splendid race with good foliage 

 and attractive spikes of bloom, blue, rose, or white. 

 Most of them are plants for the middle of the border, 

 though the silver-leaved V. incana belongs in the front 

 row with repens and prostrata, and the tall virginica may 

 have a place at the back. V. spicata grows almost 

 eighteen inches tall and bears many spikes of bright-blue 

 flowers and has a good white variety and a washed-out 

 rose sort. If cut after blooming it will bloom again 

 toward autumn. 



V. virginica grows from four to six feet high and 

 appreciates a heavy soil. Its feathery flower spikes 

 (white) are very pretty as a background for salmon 

 Phloxes such as Elizabeth Campbell or Mrs. Oliver. It 

 is also well placed with the Rose Loosestrife. The 

 head of the family is Veronica longifolia var. subsessilis 

 whose sonorous name in no way belies the vigorous dig- 

 nity and importance of the plant. Its foliage is rich and 

 strong, and in late July and August its long sapphire 

 spikes of bloom are a delight indeed. If the season is 

 not too dry it remains a long time in perfection and is 

 on hand to welcome and complete the beauty of some of 



