CHAPTER V. VINES AND CREEPERS 



I. Select List of Vines 



By W. C. Egan 



HERE are so many kinds of vines excellent in foliage, flower, 

 and berry, and so many effective ways of growing them, 

 that one is often at a loss what to choose and how to pro- 

 ceed. My first choice for a permanent covering of porch 

 pillars is the Japanese Akehia quinata. Its good points are: 

 freedom from the attacks of worms or caterpillars (whose acrobatic feats 

 of dropping from an unknown height and landing upon one's neck I do 

 not enjoy), the early unfolding of its leaves, the lateness of their reten- 

 tion, and the delicate silhouettes its five-fingered leaflets form agamst 

 a moonlit sky. This vine is quite hardy, and a rapid grower when once 

 established in good light soil. Its flowers, appearing in early spring, are 

 more curious than attractive, being small and spicily fragrant. It seldom 

 fruits in this country. It is a social vine, allowing friendly neighbours 

 to encroach upon its rights without apparent injury to itself. 



The main vine embowering my porch is the Akebia, which is planted 

 at the base of the pillars. Between these pillars the large-flowered species 

 of clematis are freely used, but I also grow Clematis Flamnmla for its fleece- 

 white bloom in midsummer, and moderately young plants of Clematis 

 paniciilata for the same effect in early 

 autumn. Both of these are cut back 

 when through blooming — at least, any 

 portion of them that may have grown 

 over the face of the Akebia, since I 

 wish to allow the latter to enjoy full 

 possession of sunlight and air part of 

 its growing season. Clematis Flammiila 

 is never a very strong vine with me, and 

 when the paniculata gets too rampant 

 it is removed. 



97 



Virginia creeper 



