CLEMATIS PANICULATA. 



BY A. GILCHRIST, TORONTO JUNCTION. 





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Fig. 2325. Clematis Paniculata. 

 Photo furnished by A. Gilchrist. 



W AM surprised to find that this creeper, 

 jn is so little known throughout the coun- 

 ^ try, and that there are comparatively few 

 even in Toronto. The Clematis is undoubt- 

 edly the best hardy climber, suitable for our 

 climate. Nothing adds so much to the 

 beauty of the home surroundings as creepers, 

 clinging to and festooning our walls and 

 verandas. We have a very meagre list of 

 climbers suitable for that purpose that will 

 stand our climate. 



Prof. L. H. Bailey, in his Cyclopedia ot 

 American Horticulture, describes it thus, 

 "Clematis paniculata (white) introduced 

 from Japan, has proved a wonderfully val- 

 uable acquisition in this country, and has 

 already become exceedingly popular. It is 

 of remarkably vigorous habit, often making 

 a growth of twenty to twenty-five teet in a 

 season. It seems thus far to be entirely free 

 from disease, is delightfully fragrant, and 

 so floriferous that the blossoms form a dense 

 sheet of bloom and remain in full beauty 

 'or several weeks. The foliage is very thick 



and heavy, making it very desirable for 

 covering porches and arbors. But, accord- 

 ing to Nicholson's Dictionary of Gardening, 

 it has taken over one hundred years to be- 

 come popular, for Nicholson says, " It was 

 introduced from Japan in 1796". It is des- 

 cribed as flowering in July and August, the 

 description of the foliage differs somewhat 

 from the Clematis paniculata, as we know 

 it ; with us it flowers in September and Oct- 

 ober. There seems to be some points here 

 which Prof. Bailey has not yet cleared up. 

 Every householder in the land should have 

 this climber. Clematis paniculata stand in 

 the same relation to climbers that Hydran- 

 gea paniculata does to shrubs, the best late 

 flowering plants of their respective classes. 

 I send you a photo of a plant which is four 

 years planted. In looking at a distance you 

 would imagine a fall of snow was resting on 

 the green glabrous foliage, which makes it 

 exceedingly attractive. Individual flowers 

 measure about an inch across. 



Fig. 2326. A Corner in a Garden. 



