HARDY CLIMBING PLANTS 



MANY of the prettiest pictures in the garden are those 

 in which climbing plants play a large part. The Rose, of 

 course, is queen of climbers, but as useful in their way are 

 the Clematises, Honeysuckles, Jasmines, Vines, Wistarias, and 

 others. 



Ampelopsis. See Vitis. 



Aristolochia Sipho, commonly known as the Dutchman's Pipe 

 from the shape of its drooping yellow-brown flowers with their up-turned 

 ends, though not conspicuous for its blossoms, is a handsome plant, 

 soon covering a wall with its large heart-shaped leaves. It is a deciduous 

 climber, and may be propagated by seed. 



Azara microphylla is not very hardy, but sufficiently so for 

 southern counties. Its glossy green leaves, hiding wiry spreading 

 stems, are very handsome. 



Berberidopsis COrallina (The Coral Barberry), from Chili, is a 

 pretty evergreen for planting against a wall, but it is rather tender and 

 apt to suffer from frost unless slight protection can be given. Planted 

 in well-drained loam, its glossy green, prickly leaves are not only distinct 

 but ornamental, and its numerous drooping, coral-red, Berberis-like 

 flowers, borne in the axils of the leaves, remain attractive for a consider- 

 able part of the summer. It delights in a somewhat shady position. 



Bignonia capreolata is a free grower and climber introduced from 

 America nearly two hundred years ago, and hardy only in sheltered 

 quarters. For training against a warm wall, or for clothing rafters in 

 unheated greenhouses it is well adapted, and in such positions its orange- 

 coloured trumpet-shaped flowers are seen to perfection. It should be 

 planted in rich soil, and as it delights in copious supplies of water in 

 the early part of the growing season, efficient drainage should be pro- 

 vided to carry off superfluous water, and thus help to keep the roots 

 healthy and the soil from getting sour. 



Calystegia pubescens fl. pi. is usually called a Convolvulus, and 

 is now grouped with that family. It does not grow tall, but is pretty 

 for pergolas, arbours, and screens. 



Celastrus articulatUS is a free-growing Japanese twiner, and con- 

 spicuous for its brightly-coloured berries in winter ; they are displayed 

 upon the leaf] ess branches in great profusion. Excellent for clothing 

 arbours, tree stumps, verandahs, &c. 0. scandens (Stan 7 Vine) is 

 another rapid-growing climber, and a distinct autumn and winter shrub. 

 It loves a cool soil. 



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