278 Hardy Clematis. 



HARDY CLEMATIS. 



We will first mention the herbaceous cultivated varieties of the clematis, 

 with erect stems, generally hardy and ornamental. 



Clematis integrifolia (L.). — Tufted, large flowers of a beautiful blue. 



Clematis ereda (L.). — About three feet high, flowers white, in panicles. 



Clematis flore plmo. — Obtained by M. Victor Lemoine. Stems three 

 feet ; flowers white, and double like those of the Ranunculus aconitifolius. 



Clematis hybrida. — Another variety obtained by the same horticulturist. 

 Hybrid between C. integrifolia and C. erecta. Panicles of flowers of a rich 

 violet with yellow stamens. 



Passing to the climbing varieties, we notice, first, Clematis vitalba (L.), 

 the traveller's joy, (or virgin's-bower ?) with yellowish-white flowers. By 

 means of the petioles, which serve the purpose of tendrils, this plant often 

 climbs to the tops of trees. 



C Jlammula {1j.) ; C. fragrans {L..). — Bunches of white flowers of de- 

 lightful fragrance. 



C. viticella (L.) and viticella flore pleno. — Flowers varying from pure 

 blue to reddish blue. The pollen of these varieties, by fertilizing the 

 flowers of C lanuginosa, has produced some surprising results. 



C. Hendersoni venosa. — A very beautiful hybrid from the preceding. 



Of the other climbing varieties, we notice first those indigenous to East- 

 ern Asia : — 



Clematis Florida fl. pi {Atragene Indica), — Large white flowers, very 

 double. 



C Florida Sieboldii {C. bicolor). — Nothing can be more beautiful than 

 these vines, seen either climbing some tall forest-tree or shrub in their 

 native freedom, or when the hand of Art has trained their flexible sprays 

 to cover the trellis of some elegant arbor. 



To the general fine effect of these climbers is joined, in the C Florida 

 Sieboldii, the elegance of a cut foliage, the brilliancy of large starry flowers 

 with six rays, where the delicate green of the centre contrasts finely with 

 the brilliant violet of the petals. To the eye of the botanist, this last orna- 

 ment, procured by transforming the anthers and pistils into petals, is only a 



