THE GARDEN-ROOM 35 



matis, it is only right that such a notable name among 

 gardeners should be represented here. Clematis 

 Davidiana is a variety of C. tubulosa, and has a long- 

 tubed bloom and stiff, upright habit. 



Clematis alpina, or atragene alpina, according to the 

 older authorities, must be considered a pearl above 

 price. People don't make enough fuss about this 

 treasure, and very few grow it. I have three feeble 

 things, but when I want to see what it can do at its 

 best, I visit the garden of a friend, where it may be 

 seen in full beauty. It occurs in Siberia, in Austria, 

 in the Pyrenees, and in Manchuria. To see it 

 flourishing wild must be a noble experience. If 

 coloured pictures lie not, the Austrian plant is the 

 best. Certainly that is lovely, but I have seen no 

 other. 



Let us now turn to some more climbers. Akebia 

 quinata grows on my garden-room a hardy plant 

 enough here, and fond of peat. Next to him also 

 in peat flourishes mitraria coccinea a beautiful 

 scarlet-flowered shrub with climbing aspirations. It 

 is hardier than people seem to think. Mine came from 

 the open in Scotland, blooms freely, and grows with 

 steadiness. Wistaria chinensis skirts along the top of 

 my red tiles and prospers there ; aristolochia sipho 

 also goes slowly ahead. As a flowerer he is doubtless 

 a poor thing compared with some of his hot-house 

 relations ; but the huge foliage may be called fine, 

 and it takes a good colour during autumn. Periploca 

 graeca harbours next to him, and shows him how to 

 grow. In July it is a mass of little brown stars. This 



