270 ALPINE FLOWERS AND ROCK GARDENS. 



VINCA (Periwinkle). — Attention must be called 

 to this genus because of its usefulness for carpeting 

 the ground under trees. The two popular species are 

 major and minor. Both flower in spring and summer. 

 There are several varieties, including a good form of 

 major with variegated leaves. They are evergreen 

 and spread fast in ordinary soil. They should not be 

 planted in good positions in the rockery or near choice 

 plants. 



VIOLA . — It would be difficult to overrate the beauty 

 and charm of this genus, giving, as it does, the sweet 

 Violet of the hedgerows, the huge florists' Pansies, the 

 bedding Violas or tufted Pansies, and in addition 

 several charming species admirably adapted for the 

 rockery. The various members extend from the cool 

 pastures on the sea level of Britain to the high Alpine 

 ranges. The delicious Violet of the hedgerows carries 

 its perfume into the giant flowers of ennobled garden 

 forms, which flower-lovers put into good earth over a 

 heap of manure and leaves in autumn, and protect 

 with a glass frame in order to insure winter bloom. All 

 the Violas are distinguished by neat growth and 

 profusion of bloom. Some, though not all, have a 

 tufty habit. They love cool, moist soil. Where special 

 varieties of Pansies, Violets and florists' Violas are 

 being grown in gardens, it is best to choose a cool site, 

 and feed the ground liberally with cow manure. So 

 far as the rock garden is concerned it will suffice to 

 provide good loam. The plants are worthy of it, and 

 will produce far better results in such soil than in poor 

 chalky ground, especially in a dry season. All the 



