go VINES 
The flowers, which are purple, are produced 
continuously throughout the summer. 
There are also several varieties of perennial 
peas which are devoid of tendrils and are useful 
in rock gardens and other situations where a 
sprawly, trailing growth is desirable. The best 
of them are the spring bitter vetch (L. vernus), 
which has violet flowers in spikes of five or six, 
and (for shade) the black bitter vetch (L. niger), 
with small purple flowers. The leaves of the 
latter turn black when drying, hence its common 
name. 
Some of the members of the wonderful clematis 
family are herbaceous in habit and quite as free- 
flowering as the erect, woody type. Being rather 
dwarf and perfectly hardy, they require very little 
attention and should be planted more than they 
are. A grand vine for brightening the rock gardens 
in early spring is (Clematis alpina). Its little blue 
flowers are produced in great numbers, and the 
plant, if given a support, will climb five feet or 
even more. | 
Closely following this variety is C. verticillaris, 
with its large, blue flowers, which, being solitary, 
give it a bold, independent appearance. It 
flowers in May and bears blossoms four inches 
across. Where conditions are favourable, it 
