dd to the rich effect of the flowers.

This shrub is a most fitting subject for rockwork, and it would also
make an edging of rare beauty, which, if well grown, no one could but
admire. It seems to enjoy loam and leaf soil in a moist but sunny
situation. It may be propagated by cuttings, taken with a part of the
previous year's wood.

Flowering period, May to July.

Veronica Prostrata.

PROSTRATE SPEEDWELL; _Nat. Ord._ SCROPHULARIACEAE.

This is sometimes confounded with _V. repens_, I presume from the slight
distinction in the specific names, but so different are the two species
that no one who has seen them can possibly take one for the other. _V.
repens_ is herb-like; it creeps and roots, and has nearly white flowers
in April; but _V. prostrata_ is a deciduous trailer, and the more common
and best form has fine gentian-blue flowers; it is a capital rock plant,
being most effective when hanging over the face of large stones. The
flowers are small, and produced in rather long sprays, which are
numerous, so that little else than flowers can be seen for two or three
weeks.

It will grow and flower freely in any soil, but the aspect should be
sunny; it is easily increased by division or rootlets. I may add that
the very long stems of this prostrate plant (when in bloom) are well
adapted for indoor decoration. Where pendent, deep blue flowers are
needed, there are very few good blues so suitable.

Flowering period, May to July.

Vesicaria Graeca.

_Nat. Ord._ CRUCIFERAE.

This beautiful, diminutive, hardy evergreen shrub comes to us from
Switzerland, being an alpine species (see Fig. 109).

[Illustration: FIG. 109. VESICARIA GRAECA.

(One-third natural size; 1, full size.)]

When in flower it does not exceed the height of 6in. or 8in., at which
time it is very showy, covered, as it is, with flowers of the brightest
golden yellow, surpassing the golden alyssum, which in some respects it
resembles, being half woody, possessing greyish leaves, and dense heads
of flowers, which, however, are arranged in small corymbs, and being
also much larger. The leaves of the flower stalks resemble lavender
leaves in general appearance; those of the unproductive stems are
larger, and arranged sparingly in rigid rosette form, such unproductive
stems being few.

The neat and erect habit of the plant renders it most suitable for
rockwork or edgings, and otherwise, from its long continued flowering,
which wil