CLEMATIS 369 



becoming in time as thick as a man's wrist ; young stems ribbed and downy. 

 Leaves very variable in size and length ; from 3 to 10 ins. long, composed of 

 five leaflets pinnately arranged. Leaflets ovate with a heart-shaped or rounded 

 base, or lance-shaped, I to 4 ins. long, stalked, the lowest pair occasionally 

 trifoliolate, coarsely toothed or almost entire, more or less downy. Flowers dull 

 white, borne in panicles 3 to 5 ins. long from the leaf-axils ; each flower about 

 | in. in diameter, faintly almond-scented. Seed-vessels with long, plume-like 

 styles, forming, when ripe, grey tufted balls very conspicuous in autumn and 

 winter. 



Native of Europe, and common in the south of England. .Among our 

 native climbers, it is the most vigorous and rapid in growth, making shoots 

 several yards long in one season. It flowers from July to October, and its 

 remarkable crop of silky fruits remain on the plants long after the leaves have 

 fallen. It is of too aggressive a nature to be associated with valuable shrubs, 

 which it would in time smother, but it has a charming effect in the wilder parts 

 of the garden, where it may be allowed to wander over vigorous commtn shrubs 

 or worn-out trees of little consequence. In such positions it gives a better 

 idea than any other British plant of the lianes or " bush ropes " of the tropics. 



The popular name of "old man's beard" refers of course to the silvery 

 grey fruits. The French name, " herbe aux gueux" (beggar's plant), originated 

 from the use by beggars in Paris of the acrid juice of the plant to produce 

 ulcerous wounds as a means of exciting pity. The pleasant name of 

 " Traveller's joy," was apparently invented by Gerard, who says this Clematis 

 is "esteemed for pleasure by reason of the goodly shadow and the pleasant 

 sent or savour of its flowers. And because of its decking and adorning waies 

 and hedges where people travel, thereupon have I named it Traveller's joy." 



C. VlTICELLA, Linnceus. 

 (Bot. Mag., t. 565.) 



A deciduous, partially woody climber, growing 8 to 12 ft. high ; stems 

 slender, ribbed, and slightly downy when young. Leaves 4 or 5 ins. long, 

 pinnate, with the primary divisions trifoliolate ; leaflets not toothed, but 

 frequently two- or three-lobed, lance-shaped to broadly ovate, f to i\ ins. long. 

 Flowers solitary on stalks 2 to 4 ins. long, or several on a branched stalk ; 

 \\ ins. across ; sepals obovate, blue, purple, or rosy purple. Seed-vessels broad 

 and short, with very small tails devoid of the feathery covering so common in 

 Clematis. 



Native of S. Europe ; cultivated here since the sixteenth century. The 

 type and the double-flowered form were grown in 1597 by Gerard, who says, 

 "they grow in my garden at Holborn and flourish exceedingly. 1 ' Many 

 charming varieties have been raised in gardens, the double-flowered one just 

 mentioned (FLORE PLENO) being one* of the least attractive, owing to an 

 excessive multiplication of the sepals, which gives the flower a heavy, lumpy 

 aspect. 



Var. ALBA has nearly white flowers. 



Var. NANA is a dwarf form about 3 ft. high, raised by Mr Carriere in Paris. 

 There are also numerous minor forms and hybrids. Of these, RUBRA 

 GRAXDIFLORA, raised by Jackman of Woking, has large flowers of a deep 

 reddish purple. Var. KERMES1NA is another whose flowers have a reddish 

 tinge. 



None of the forms of C. Viticella are genuinely shrubby in this country, 

 the summer's growth dying back during the winter nearly to the older stem. 

 They should be cut back in February to the living part All the forms flower 

 with great freedom from July to September. 



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