42 THE BOOK OF THE WILD GARDEN 



any position. They are useful as trailers and should be 

 grown freely in woods. Some woods in the south are 

 full of the Lesser Periwinkle, V. minor. There is a 

 double variety of this flower that is charming, and also 

 a white form. V. acutiloba is a pretty species with grey- 

 blue flowers blooming in the autumn. The white 

 variety of V. minor, planted on high banks, and drooping 

 naturally has a graceful effect. 



Viola. — The Sweet Violet, V. odorata, should be grown 

 in every wood. In some localities the white form alone 

 is to be found wild, but in others the blue is present. 

 In deserted gardens the banks are often covered with 

 Violets sprung from wind-blown seed, and spreading 

 year by year among the weeds. It is a pleasant surprise 

 while walking in a woodland lane for the spring air to 

 be suddenly filled with the scent of violets, and there is 

 no reason why every wood within reach of the house 

 should not provide such precious fragrance, but every 

 reason why it should. Violets should be introduced 

 wherever possible into the wild garden, and, once estab- 

 lished, they will take care of themselves. 



Waldsteinia. — W. trifolia is a trailing spring-flowering 

 plant bearing bright yellow flowers as large as those 

 of the garden Strawberry, and having glossy green 

 leaves. It will succeed in any soil and in any position. 



