CHAPTER XII 



CLIMBING SHRUBS. 



THE value of climbing shrubs in gardens needs no insisting upon. It is 

 by their means that the most effective of all garden pictures, and the 

 nearest approach to tropical luxuriance can be obtained. The one 

 difficulty in cultivating climbers in gardens is the provision of proper 

 supports for them to grow upon. The most convenient of all is the 

 pergola, a pleasing feature in a garden, but one which it is sometimes 

 difficult to place properly. A pergola should lead up to something, and it 

 ought not to be set down anywhere, irrespective of its surroundings. As a 

 rule it is most happily placed over a path. In our climate I do not 

 favour the pergola with continuous sides and top. On all but the hottest 

 days it is too apt to be suggestive of a tunnel; on wet ones it is 

 absolutely gloomy. This type of pergola has also the disadvantage of 

 putting its best side outwards, especially on the top, so that little of its 

 greenery and few of its flowers can be seen from inside. A pergola 

 consisting of a series of square or rounded arches, 12 to 20 ft. apart, 

 linked together by a chain or lathe on each side is, to my mind, to be 

 preferred. The flowers on each arch and chain can in this way be seen 

 quite well,* and at the sides long hanging shoots may be encouraged 

 to grow. 



The most natural support for climbers is other trees and shrubs, but 

 the effect on the latter when allowed to be overrun by a vigorous climber 

 is nearly always deleterious, and may in time be fatal. No one would 

 think of giving up a tree they prized for such a purpose, but common, 

 and especially decaying, trees are very suitable for it. The establishment 

 of a climber in close enough proximity to a tree to enable it to overrun it 

 requires some consideration. It is often of little use planting it at the 

 base of the trunk. Although frequently selected, that spot is too dry 

 and too shady, except in decrepit trees or trees with tall, bare trunks. If 

 any branches come near enough the ground to enable the newly planted 

 climber to be attached to them, that is usually the best place to select. 

 It may be necessary, however, to secure the branch against being blown 



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