HERBACEOUS CLIMBERS 35 



are Kolomikta and volubilis. Both have white flowers ; 

 and the greatest attraction of the former lies to some in 

 the ornamental autumnal tints of the leaves. These may 

 be raised from seeds, cuttings, or layers. Decumaria 

 barbarea is another little grown twiner, which does 

 well against a sunny wall in a border of dry soil. It 

 has a number of sweet-scented white flowers, and is 

 propagated by cuttings under a glass in summer. Nor 

 is Celastrus scandens, the climbing Staff Tree, much 

 grown with its racemes of small pale-yellow blooms, 

 followed by orange-coloured berries. It grows best 

 from layers. Hablitzia tamnoides is principally grown 

 for its leaves, the flowers being green and small. It is 

 herbaceous, and is increased by division. 



The common Hop, Humulus Lupulus, may be used 

 as a herbaceous climber in rough places, and is very 

 ornamental indeed, soon covering a large space, and 

 looking pretty with its leaves and flowers. It has, 

 however, a great drawback for many places, as it is 

 difficult to keep from spreading too quickly at the 

 root, especially if it is planted near other plants which 

 ought not to be disturbed to keep it within bounds. 

 Nor is it choice enough when there are so many better 

 things which could be grown instead. Those who 

 wish a yellow-leaved plant will find it in the variety 

 H. L. aureus. Ipomcea pandurata is a pretty twiner for 

 a choice place where it can be kept in bounds. It is 

 seldom seen, and has white Convolvulus-like flowers 

 with a purplish throat. Two interesting perennial 

 cucurbitaceous plants are furnished in Cucumis perennis, 

 or, as it is also called, Cucurbita perennis, which has 

 roundish fruit, and Megarrhiza, or Echinocystis, 

 californica, which has small roundish fruit, like that 

 of a Sweet Chestnut, covered thickly with 'small spines. 

 These are best propagated by seeds sown under glass 

 in spring. Menispermum candadense, the Moon Seed, 



