CHOICE OF ASPECT 37 



enough feature. They are dealt with in the chapter devoted 

 to them in this book. 



Cultural details for these hardy climbers will be found in 

 the descriptive list (Chapter XV), but a few general direc- 

 tions may be given here. Most important of all is position. 

 It isn't much use planting tender plants in exposed places, 

 nor those that require plenty of sunshine in positions 

 where they will not get it. Therefore, when making a 

 selection attention should be paid to the needs of the plant 

 with respect to exposure. As to soil, it pays to do these 

 plants well from the first, and if borders do not already 

 exist where the climbers are to be put, suitable borders 

 should be made. It may be sufficient for each plant to 

 take out a barrowful or so of soil, and to see that the 

 drainage is all right before refilling the hole with a suitable 

 compost. Some plants are not particular, will grow in 

 anything that can be called soil ; still one never knows 

 what has been filled in at the foot of walls, and it is poor 

 economy to risk it without making examination. 



Pruning is an operation for which it is difficult to give 

 directions of a general character. So much depends on 

 the nature of the plant, its habit of growth and time of 

 flowering ; also on the position it occupies. As a rule 

 hardy climbers require little pruning. Those grown for 

 their flowers may have their shoots shortened soon after 

 the flowers are over, but it will probably be necessary to 

 examine them again in early spring. Evergreen climbers 

 require no more pruning than is needed to keep them in 

 position. Such plants as the grape vine, Passion flower, 

 and Wistaria are best spur-pruned in winter. 



