Encyclopaedia of Gardening 8 I 



ceae). Although this is a fairly large genus, only one or two species 

 are grown to any extent. Much the most popular is Balfouri, a 

 variety of Thomsonae, which produces its brilliant light scarlet 

 flowers at the end of summer. It is a beautiful plant, but not easy 

 to do well. It likes the temperature of a hothouse, and a compost 

 of fibrous loam with a fourth of leaf mould and some sand. If 

 stock is required, a few of the young side shoots may be taken off in 

 spring and struck in sandy peat under a bell-glass. Water liberally 

 in summer, but sparingly in winter. Balfouri is of vigorous habit 

 and may be used as a climber. Fallax is dwarf er and also has scarlet 

 flowers. This and splendens are evergreens, whereas Balfouri loses 

 its leaves in winter. 



Clethra (cleth-ra, from klethra, adder (Greek), in reference to the 

 resemblance of the leaves. Ord. Ericaceae). Only two species are 

 grown to any extent: alnifolia, white, 4 ft. high, hardy, blooming 

 in late summer; and arborea, white, flowering in September, and 

 requiring a greenhouse. The latter is illustrated in the Botanical 

 Magazine, t. 1057. It is a shrub growing 6 to 8 ft. high; there is a 

 dwarf variety called minor and one with variegated leaves called 

 variegata. Peat, with a third of loam, and sand, suit the Clethras. 

 Arborea is best propagated by cuttings in spring under a bell-glass; 

 alnifolia by cuttings in summer or layers in autumn. 



Clianthus, Glory Pea (clian-thus, from kleios, glory, and anthos, 

 flower. Ord. Leguminosae) . Brilliant flowers. The best- known 

 species are Dampieri, the Parrot-beak flower, scarlet with black 

 boss, which does well in a hanging basket in a cool house; and 

 puniceus, crimson, which will thrive outdoors in sheltered places, 

 but is best in a cool greenhouse in cold districts. They are ever- 

 green shrubs, which may be raised from seed in spring, and further 

 propagated by cuttings in sandy soil under a bell-glass. They like 

 peat and loam in equal parts, with sand. 



Click-beetle. See Wireworm. 



Climbers and Creepers. People use the word " climber " in a some- 

 what loose way in connection with plants, applying it equally to a 

 Gloire de Dijon Rose which spreads over a considerable area of wall 

 by mere vigour, and to Veitch's Virginian Creeper, which throws 

 out adhesive suckers and actually climbs as certainly as an Indian 

 climbs with his slings. Accepting the broad definition, we have a 

 large selection of climbers, and there is no reason why walls, fences, 

 palings, arches, pillars, pergolas, and summer-houses should go 

 bare. For high walls there is nothing better than the Virginian 

 Creeper and selected Ivies (see Hedera) ; but a vigorous Rose, such 

 as William Allen Richardson, will cover a considerable area of wall 

 if planted in good soil. This Rose may be thought of for an east 

 wall, an aspect on which it will thrive better than most plants. 

 Ivy also does on east and north walls. Roses (see Flower Garden) 

 and Ceanothuses (see Ceanothus) may be considered for south and 

 west walls, with Pyrus (Cydonia) Japonica for low positions under 

 windows. The latter plant produces large, brilliant flowers, followed 

 by edible fruit. A good Honeysuckle is Lonicera flexuosa, for it is 

 a strong grower, free flowering and sweet. Clematises (see Clematis) 



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