REPORT OF THE HORTICULTURIST. 133 



SESSIONAL PAPER No. 16 



SOME GOOD WOODY CLIMBEES. 



There are many homes which could be made much more attractive looking by the 

 judicious use of a few good vines. A house which lacks any pretence of beauty iu 

 architecture may have much of tlie stiffness taken from it by planting a vine where 

 it will break the monotony of a straight wall. Verandahs, summer houses, fences, 

 rocks and old stumps of trees covered with vines will so change the appearance of a 

 place that it will hardly be recognized by one who has known it before. There are 

 so many good hardy native climbers that it is not necessary to go to any expense in 

 procuring something which will produce the desired effect. In the following list some 

 of the best of those described are natives. Climbers usually make rapid growth when 

 once established. The best results will be obtained, however, by preparing the ground 

 ■sfell beforehand. Usually the soil about buildings is poor, and if such be the case it 

 will well repay any one to remove it where the vines are to be planted and replace it 

 with some of a good loamy character, thoroughly mixing well rotted manure with it.. 

 If such preparation is given the results will almost certainly be satisfactory. 



Aristolochia Sipho — Dutchman's Pipe. — Although the Dutchman's Pipe is not as 

 hardy as some vines, it is grown with fair success here. Before beginning to make 

 rapid growth, however, it requires two or three years to become established. The 

 leaves are large, heart-shaped and deep green. This vine, though quite attractive, has 

 a heavier look than some others, and is more in keeping with a massive building than 

 with one of a lighter style. It twines about whatever object comes within reach and 

 does well on a trellis or verandah. The flowers, which are partially hidden by the 

 large leaves, are brown and of peculiar shape, much resembling a Dutchman's pipe. 

 It is a native of the eastern United States, and grows from 20 to 30 feet high. 



Celastrus articulatus — Japanese Climbing Bitter-sweet. — This is just as attractive, 

 if not more so, as the native species. The berries are smaller, but more abundant, and 

 there is a greater contrast in colour between the outside and inside of the fruit than 

 there is in Celastrus scandens, the colour in this case being yellow and orange. It is 

 a native of Japan, a rapid grower and a very desirable vine. 



Celastrus scandens. — Climbing Bitter-sweet, Wax-work. — I\ext to the Virginian 

 Creepers and Virgin's Bower, this is probably the best native climber that we have. 

 It is a very rapid grower, with pretty bright green leaves, and highly ornamental 

 fruit. It is very suitable for training over summer houses and verandahs, and twines 

 about everything it can get hold of. In procuring this A'ine, one should be certain that 

 he is getting one which produces both male and female flowers, as some vines have only 

 male blossoms, and in such cases no fruit is produced and much of the beauty of the 

 vine is lost, as the fruit is quke attractive and hangs on most of the winter. The 

 berries are of an orange colour until they are cracked open by frost, when the interior, 

 which is scarlet, is revealed. 



Clematis JacTcmanni. — The large flovwered Clematis are well represented by this 

 superb variety, which is one of the best of them. The flowers are very large and rich, 

 violet purple in colour, with a velvety appearance. It is a very free bloomer and 

 remains in flower for several weeks. Where a strong colour effect is desired this is a 

 good plant to use. There are now many varieties of large flowering Clematis, and a 

 H;o(iKi range of coIomt- can easily be obtained. 



Clematis ligusticifolia — Western Virgin's Bower. — This species is a native of the 

 North-west Territories a-nd British Columbia, and while it may not prove as satis- 

 factory in the east as C. virginiana, it should prove very valuable when cultivated ia 

 those parts of Canada where it is native. The leaves are smooth and glossy, and are 



