VERONICA.

VERONICA PINQUIFOLIA.—­New Zealand, 1870.  This is one of the hardiest species, but it is of low growth, and only suitable for alpine gardening.  It is a dwarf spreading shrub, with intensely glaucous leaves and white flowers.

V. TRAVERSII.—­New Zealand, 1873.  This may be considered as one of the few species of hardy Veronicas.  It grows about 4 feet high, with deep green leaves arranged in rows, and white flowers, produced late in summer.  It is a very free-growing shrub, of perfect hardihood, and one of, if not the best for general planting.

The above two species are, so far as is at present known, the hardiest in cultivation, although there are many kinds that will succeed well under very favourable conditions, and particularly when planted by the sea-side.  Other half-hardy species might include V. salicifolia (Willow-leaved Veronica), with long, narrow leaves, and white or purplish flowers; V. ligustrifolia (Privet-leaved Veronica), with spikes of feathery-white flowers; V. speciosa, with erect spikes of purplish-blue flowers; and V. Andersoni, a hybrid form, with spikes of bluish-violet flowers.

The dwarf or alpine species might include V. cupressoides, with Cypress-like foliage, V. Lyallii, V. carnosula, and others, but such hardly come within our scope.

VIBURNUM.

VIBURNUM ACERIFOLIUM.—­Dockmackie.  New England to Carolina, 1736.  This is one of the handsomest members of the family, being of slender growth and compact and neat in habit.  It grows to fully 4 feet in height, and is well supplied with neatly three-lobed leaves, these in the autumn turning to a deep crimson.  The flowers, too, are highly ornamental, being borne in fair sized clusters, and white or yellowish-white.  It is a very desirable and beautiful plant, quite hardy, and of free growth in any fairly rich soil.

V. AWAFUKII.—­Japan, 1842.  This is another rare and beautiful plant, of neat habit, and producing an abundance of showy white flowers, that are, however, seldom produced in this country.

V. DAHURICUM.—­Dahuria, 1785.  This is a charming hardy species, which in May and June is covered with numerous umbels of showy white flowers.  It forms a rather spreading bush of 6 feet or 8 feet high, with gray downy branches, and neat foliage.  The berries are oval-oblong, red at first, but becoming black and faintly scented when fully ripe.

V. DENTATUM.—­Arrowwood.  A native of the United States, 1763.  This can be recommended as a distinct and beautiful shrub, with cymes of white flowers that are produced in plenty.  The leaves are dark green, smooth, and shining, and strongly veined, while the bark is ash-coloured, and the berries bright blue.

V. LANTANA.—­Wayfaring Tree.  Europe (Britain).  This is a native species of large bush, or almost tree growth, with rugose, oblong, serrulated leaves, and large, flat cymes of white flowers appearing in May and June.  The whole tree is usually covered with a scaly tomentum, while the fruit is a black flattened drupe.