66 THE GABDENEB'S COMPANION 



Parrot Tulips are most lasting in effect, and a few 

 groups of them among our herbaceous plants 

 are a great help and addition to the garden in early 

 spring ; the foliage also is pretty. They can be left 

 to die off, and the bulbs allowed to remain in the 

 ground when other flowers take their place in June. 



Veronicas. There are such a large number of 

 Veronicas that it is sometimes difficult to dis- 

 tinguish them, but those I have found most hardy, 

 and most effective, are V. rupestris, a creeping 

 plant, giving a sheet of brilliant blue flowers in 

 early spring, spreading very quickly. 



V. spicata, which grows about eighteen inches 

 high, with spikes of violet-blue flowers in July. 

 Both of these can be very easily increased by 

 dividing the roots in autumn. 



V. Hendersoni is far the most handsome Veron- 

 ica that I know. A strong-growing robust plant, 

 quite two and a half feet high, bearing large branch- 

 ing spikes of rich violet flowers in August. It is 

 quite hardy ; prefers a moist soil with some shade ; 

 this can be propagated by cuttings which strike 

 very easily, if taken just as the flowers are fading. 



Violas. No flower is more welcome than the 

 Violet, and even if we do not go in for growing 



