Gboice Urces an& Sbrubs 327 



Clematis virginiana (the virgin 's-bower), and Clematis 

 paniculata, one of the most attractive and profusely 

 blooming climbers with white flowers in August. The 

 clematis hybrids are charming, purple, white, pink, red, 

 and blue; only they are a little difficult to grow in this 

 climate of New York State. Actinidia polygama is 

 vigorous and picturesque. 



There is one shrub that has not been mentioned and 

 yet it is probably the most useful plant of all, and that 

 is the privet. There are many kinds of privet, ever- 

 green and deciduous, hardy and tender, and they are 

 all interesting in their own way, but there are three that 

 count a great deal in all lawn planting. The so-called 

 California privet from Japan {Ligustrum ovalijolium) 

 is used for hedges everywhere in Europe and America. 

 Doubtless millions of plants are grown every year and 

 it behaves well on all occasions except once in a few 

 years a severe winter comes along and kills it, although 

 it hardly ever altogether dies, but springs up the next 

 season. It transplants well, grows fast, and if properly 

 pruned will retain its beauty for many years. Perhaps 

 it is felt to be a little stiff in form and monotonous, but 

 it has glossy green foliage and if allowed to grow freely 

 makes in time a good shape. Its stiffness probably 

 persists in our minds on account of its frequent use as 

 that abomination of vegetation, a hedge. The Euro- 

 pean privet has not so fine a shade of green, but in other 

 ways greatly resembles it. The best privet is the 

 Ligustrum regelianiim from China, and this is rapidly 

 being recognized. It has a graceful weeping, somewhat 



