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 
(14 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 herbaceous vegetation. A 
great number that are in cultivation in borders are only fit for this 
purpose. The dwarf kinds are equally suitable 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 not possess- 
ing sufficient charms to ensure their general cultivation in gardens, are 
peculiarly suited for this sort of gardening. Our own 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 habit and their hardiness give them a charm 
for us even in a wild 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. 
