150 
BEAUTIFUL GARDEN FLOWERS. 
good garden soil, and are increased easily by division 
of tlie tufts in spring, or by cuttings. 
VIOLA ( Violet , Pansy, Heartsease) . — Very few of 
the hardy species of Viola — of which there are 100 to 
200 — are cultivated in gardens now-a-days. It 
may be well to mention a few of the best natural 
species, as there are still many plant-lovers who 
prefer the wild types. The Dog Violet (F. canina ) 
with blue, lilac, grey or white flowers from April to 
August ; V. cornuta, with pale blue long-spurred 
flowers from May to July ; V. cucullata, with deep or 
pale violet-blue or purple blossoms; V. pedata, the 
Bird’s Foot Violet, with bright blue or white flowers ; 
the Wood Violet, V. sylvestris, a native of our copses 
and woods, with bluish-purple or lilac flowers ; and 
the Wild Heartsease or Pansy — V. tricolor — which 
bears its purple, white, or golden-yellow flowers from 
May to September, are a few kinds for shady 
banks and dells in large gardens. 
The Sweet Violet (F. odorata ) is a British plant 
found in copses and grassy banks. It has blue, white, 
or reddish-purple blossoms from March to May. 
Many charming and sweet-scented varieties have been 
developed from it, the most important being : — The 
“Neapolitan” or “Parma” Violet ( pallida plena) 
with fragrant double pale lavender flowers ; the 
“ Czar,” large single blue or white flowers ; “ Marie 
Louise,” lavender-blue and white, very large and 
sweet-scented ; “ Admiral Avellon,” reddish-purple ; 
“ St. Helena,” clear blue; and several others, like “ La 
France,” “California,” “ Luxonne,” “ Compte de 
Brazza,” all charming varieties. 
