ORNAMENTAL PLANTS. 95 



this sectioD. Our' common native species (C. virginica), 

 with its beautiful clusters of white flowers, is well worthy 

 of a place in the garden, where, we regret to say, it is sel- 

 dom seen. 



The more common Euroj^ean varieties, such as C. flam- 

 mula and C. vitalba, have long been known in this country ; 

 but it was not until within a few years that the more 

 showy and larger-flowering species and varieties have been 

 cultivated to any considerable extent. The Clematis is a 

 very widely distributed family, for there is scarcely any 

 section of the globe that does not contribute one or m^re 

 species. Siberia, China, Japan, Australia, East and West 

 Indies, North and South America, all abound in beautiful 

 species of the Clematis. From this abundance of material 

 at our command, there is no reason why our gardens 

 should not be adorned with flowers from early spring to 

 late in autumn. Those species of Clematis which are in- 

 digenous to the tropics are not hardy in our more rigorous 

 climate ; still, those from the colder regions are abundantly 

 sufficient to furnish all the variety required. Many new 

 varieties are annually produced ; and by selecting only the 

 very best, we are enabled to make up even a very small 

 collection that will contain the most valuable character- 

 istics of the whole. To produce the best efiect, the Cle- 

 matis should always be planted in groups, placing a stake 

 to each plant. The soil should be deep and moderately 

 rich, one composed of equal parts of rich loam and leaf- 

 mold will be found to answer very well for these plants. 



In our northern climate it is best to protect all of the 

 varieties in winter, as they will bloom much more abun- 



