22 G 
VERONICA. 
this fine species included in groups of evergreens, where it is 
likely it may be preserved without other trouble than an occa¬ 
sional matting. In the mean time, it is well worth the little 
attention necessary to grow it as a greenhouse plant; the large 
glossy, rick-looking foliage, surmounted by the freely-produced 
spikes of flowers, will ever ensure it a place in most collections. 
An objection may, however, be entertained against this plant, in 
the want of contrast which exists between the deep colours of 
both flowers and leaves ; the dark purple of the former certainly 
appears to be deadened by the still darker green of the foliage, 
and this, when the charm of novelty has worn off, may possibly 
reduce the estimation and high character it now enjoys. Com¬ 
parisons are ever useful as leading to new ideas, however odious 
their effect may be on one side the question: the objection just 
mentioned never appeared in such strong light as when the variety 
now figured first reached us, its superiority was immediately 
manifest; the livelier colour of its flowers gave a warmth and 
tone to the plant, more and more pleasing, as its absence became 
apparent in the parent plant. 
Veronica speciosa rosea is a seminal variety of the species whose 
name it bears, obtained in the course of the past year by Mr. 
John Oates, gardener to Sir Joshua Rowley, Bart., of Tendring 
Hall, Suffolk, who appears to grow the species extensively for 
flower gardening purposes. In answer to our inquiries, he 
obligingly mentions that he has a fine bed of seedlings exceed¬ 
ingly gay, and that he finds the variety rosea to flower even more 
freely than the original species, besides promising to be some 
degrees hardier. It is decidedly a most valuable acquisition, and 
one we have much pleasure in having the opportunity of making 
known ; its value, as an exhibition plant, will be readily estimated, 
and we have Mr. Oates’s testimony in favour of its character for 
bedding out. We presume there will be no difference in the 
culture of this plant and that of its parent, which will be found to 
make astonishing progress, under almost any circumstances, if 
only allowed sufficient root room. When grown in pots, this 
and the other recent species, V. Lindleyana and salicifolia , should, 
as before hinted, be placed in large ones ; if healthy young plants 
are taken in March, and planted in twelve or fourteen-inch pots, 
with a mixture of peat and loam, continuing them in the green- 
