of Rural Art and Taste. 



195 



superiority. A. Veitchii is a recent introduc- 

 tion, which promises to be exceedingly popu- 

 lar. The foliage is small and neat, and 

 presents the same beautiful color in the au- 

 tumn as the above. 



One of the finest specimens in this country, 

 perhaps, is to be found in the celebrated collec- 

 tion of H. H. Hunnewell, Esq., at Wellesley, 

 near Boston, where this plant completely 

 covers the Lodge at the entrance gate with its 

 pleasing foliage. It is also a capital plant for 

 vases and hanging-baskets, the small size of 

 the foliage and slender twigs making it very 

 appropriate. 



There is a native vine not often found in our 

 collections, which is exceedingly ornamental 

 when in fruit — we allude to the Staff-Tree or 

 Climbing Bitter Sweft (Celastrus scandens). 

 In the autumn the plant is abundantly supplied 

 with orange-colored pods, which split open and 

 show the scarlet coated seeds within. 



The Grecian /Silk Vi?ie (Periploca Graeca) 

 is a valuable climber, reaching to the tops of 

 tall trees when it is allowed to grow at will. 

 The flowers are small, brownish-purple, and 

 arranged in loose clusters. 



The conuuon ivy (Hedera) is too well 

 known and appreciated to need any descrip- 

 tion in this cursory list of vines, but if any 

 additional testimony as to its worth be needed, 

 then we are ready to add our experience in 

 its favor. Some prejudiced gardeners have 

 stated that it ruins the walls to which it clings, 

 by causing excessive dampness and consequent 

 decay. If this be so, some buildings over a 

 century old are examples of very slow decay ; 

 for we know of ivy-covered walls that, to all 

 appearances, will last another century, just as 

 readily as they have stood the past one 

 hundred years. The varieties of this genus, 

 and species as well, are so exceedingly numer- 

 ous, that Shirley Hibberd has considered 

 them worthy of a volume to themselves. 

 The larger portion of the variegated forms are 

 not suited to our climate, but they are handsome 

 plants for filling vases, baskets, etc. They 

 are fond of the shade and moisture, therefore 

 the south side of a building is the poorest 

 position to plant theni; 



Among old-time flowers, the Jessamine 

 holds a prominent place. What a pity the 

 vine is not more hardy in some of the species, 

 especially J. ofiicinalis — the connnon White 

 Jessamine of gardens. At the South nothing 

 can surpass the exquisite perfume of its 

 blossoms, nor the pure white color for bouquet 

 purposes. When fully sheltered, it succeeds 

 pretty well as far north as Philadelphia and 

 New York, but an unusually severe winter 

 destroys the entire top. Of late years we 

 have introduced a variety with beautiful 

 variegated foliage, the markings being white, 

 yellow, and pink ; and strange to say this 

 foliage never seems to burn with the sun, but 

 I if there is any change when fully exposed, the 

 tints are really intensified in depth. It blooms 

 freely, and retains its agreeable odor. Who- 

 ever has once possessed a specimen of the 

 Naked-flmvering Jessamine (J. nudiflorum), 

 we presume would not like to be without it 

 ever after. It is really the " harbinger of 

 spring," only needing a warm day to put 

 forth its golden yellow blossoms, mostly before 

 winter has past. It is destitute of the fra- 

 grance of the above, but then its welcome 

 presence so very early, makes it exceedingly 

 desirable. 



The Shrubby Jessamine (J. fruticans) is 

 not very conspicuous, neither is it a climber, 

 but its long, slender stems are well suited for 

 training against a wall, and then its pretty 

 yellow little flowers show to good advan- 

 tage. 



We desire to call attention to another 

 native vine which is especially valuable for 

 its golden yellow foliage in the autumn, the 

 Green-briar (Smilax rotundifolia). In a 

 clump of crimson foliaged shrubs it is very 

 appropriate. During summer the leaves are 

 very glossy, and the bright green bark and 

 bluish-black berries are quite ornamental. 



Having already given our views on the 

 Clematis in the late number of The Horti- 

 culturist, it is unnecessary to reiterate 

 them now, but we trust that every lover of 

 flowers will endeavor to find some choice spot 

 where one or more can gladden the eye by 

 their exceeding loveliness. 



