178 HARDY PERENNIALS AND 



Muhlenbeckia Complexa. 



Nat. Ord. POLYGONACE^E. 



A HARDY climber, of great beauty; during November its 

 nearly black stems are well furnished with its peculiar small dark 

 green leaves, which, even when without flowers or fruit, render it 

 an object of first-class merit as a decorative subject. The illustra- 

 tion (Fig. 64) is fairly representative of all its parts ; still, it can 



Fia. 64. MUHLENBECKIA COMPLEXA. 

 (One-fourth natural size ; fruit, natural size.) 



give no idea of the effect of a specimen climbing 4ft. to 6ft. high, 

 diffuse and spreading withal. Although I have grown this hand- 

 some climber several years, my experience and information re- 

 specting it are very limited indeed ; its hardiness and beauty are 

 the inducements which have led me to recommend it for the 

 pleasure garden. As a matter of fact, I have never bloomed it, 

 and I am indebted to a lady for the wax-like and flower- shaped 

 fruits illustrated; they were produced in a warm vinery, and 



