SEPTEMBER. '203 



MEMORANDA FROM KEW. 



Some of the more interesting summer-flowering things are the seve- 

 ral kinds of Clematis, a tribe of plants with which most cultivators 

 are familiar, as few gardens are to be found that do not possess some 

 of them. Though not all alike worthy of cultivation, yet there are 

 many among them, showy flowering kinds, which deserve a little 

 attention, and if they are nicely trained, form beautiful objects for the 

 parterre during summer. Being of a climbing habit, they are admir- 

 ably adapted for covering trellis -work, stumps of trees, walls, or any 

 unsightly objects ; or they may be planted in clumps or beds through- 

 out the flower-garden, and trained to stakes. They grow freely in 

 common garden-soil, and produce abundance of flowers during the 

 summer. 



There are several good hardy kinds, which, if planted on a clump 

 or large bed, and trained in the following manner, produce a charm- 

 ing effect during their flowering season. They should be planted 

 about three or four feet apart, each one having a stout stake to train 

 it to. Those in the centre may be about six feet high, which, of 

 course, should have the more robust-growing kinds gradually de- 

 creasing in height, and likewise with smaller growing plants towards 

 the margin. The stakes should all be connected together, by means 

 of small tar-line, from their tops, along which the slender trailing- 

 stems can easily be led. There is a large bed of them here so treated ; 

 and being now mostly in flower, they have a very pretty appearance. 

 The following are the best kinds, all hardy, and easily procurable at 

 a trifling expense : 



Clematis vitalba. This is a large and rather coarse-looking plant, with 

 pannicles of smallish white flowers, which are very fragrant. It is indigenous to 

 Britain. 



Clematis lanceolata. An interesting species, with shining lanceolate leaves 

 and white flowers. It is a very distinct species, of rather upright stiff growth. 



Clematis campaniflora. This is a neat-looking and rather pretty flowering 

 kind. The flowers are smallish, bell-shaped, and light-coloured, tinged with 

 blue. It is a native of Spain. 



Clematis viorna. This is a North American species, of robust growth. It 

 has rather large leaves, and fleshy flowers about half an inch long, which are of 

 a globular cone shape, and reddish outside. 



Clematis Hendersoni. One of the best of the genus. It has large showy 

 flowers, of a deep blue colour, literally covering the whole plant. It is a splendid 

 object when planted in a border and trained against a south wall. 



Clematis revoluta. This is a pretty flowering species, with rather smallish 

 leaves and violet-blue flowers, which are borne in great profusion. 



Clematis cylindrica. A very handsome flowering kind, of dwarf habit, 

 compared with most of the others, growing only about three feet high. The 

 flowers are pendulous, one inch or more in diameter, cylindrical at the base, and 

 of a light-blue. It is a native of No.th America. 



Clematis integrifolia. This species is of rather erect growth, about three 

 feet high ; has entire leaves, and blue flowers two inches in diameter. 



Clematis Florida. This is a very showy flowering species, of a neat slender 

 habit. The flowers are large (two inches and a half in diameter), and of a 

 creamy white. It is a native of Japan. 



