STJMMEE CLIMBERS. 77 



climbers; but old and well-ripened plants would, probably, bear our average 

 winters witb a little protection, which, in the case of such splendid plants, is well 

 deserved. The Tacsonias require a peat soil, but will scarcely need so much space 

 for their roots as the Mandevilla, and may have their pots plunged into the border, 

 or turned out if the pot is small. T. pinnatistqncla, and T. mollissima, are 

 commoner plants than the T. manicata, but somewhat inferior in beauty ; they are, 

 however, well deserving of cultivation. The T. mollissima is the most prolific of 

 flowers. They are all increased by cuttings under a glass ; the T. pinnatistipula 

 does better grafted upon the T. mollissima, than upon its own roots. 



Far less rare, but scarcely less worthy of attention, is the old and popular 

 Eccremocarpus scaler (the Calampelis scabra of modern authors.) This is too well 

 known to need more than a passing notice ; it may, however, be worth while 

 remarking, that it is so hardy as to require but a covering of dry litter, fern leaves, 

 or coal ashes over its roots ; and plants raised from seed early in the spring, will 

 llower the first season, though less freely than subsequently. "We have seen 

 specimens of this plant twenty feet high. 



Another interesting and favourite climber of rapid growth is the Cobcea scandens, 

 with pinnated leaves terminated by a tendril, and large bell-shaped flowers, which 

 are first green, and ultimately change to purple. It may be raised from seed, 

 which is not, however, often ripened in the open air, but may always be obtained 

 at any of the seed shops. If plants are bought at the nurseries, those one year 

 old at least should be procured ; though, if the seedlings are raised early in the 

 season, they will flower the first summer. Cobcea stipulates has yellow blossoms. 

 Both species require more protection than the Eccremocarpus, but will sometimes 

 survive a moderate winter. 



Next on the list stands the ZopJwspermums, of more restricted growth, but 

 abundant flowerers. There are several varieties, though we have not yet seen any 

 improvement on the old L. scandens, which has dark rose-coloured blossoms, greatly 

 resembling those of the Foxglove. The Rhodockiton volubile, sometimes termed 

 Lophospermum rhodockiton, with pendulous flowers of a very dark purple, also well 

 merits a place upon a west wall, where it will suffer less from the red spider, to 

 which it is rather subject, than in southerly aspects. Both these plants and their 

 varieties are easily propagated by cuttings in summer, as well as by seeds ; they 

 ai e, however, too succulent to bear exposure throughout the year. 



The beautiful Maurandya Barclayana, with rich violet blossoms, is considerably 

 hardier than the Lophospermums ; we have known it to remain fresh and green 

 throughout the winter, upon a dry subsoil ; though it must be admitted that, in 

 general, it will not survive unless matted up. The new rose-coloured varieties of 

 this plant produce a good effect, grown in contrast with it. All are propagated by 

 weeds or cuttings; in height they rarely exceed four or five feet. 



