March Sowing and Planting 



Clipping Ivy. The complaint is often made that 

 after some years Ivy becomes unsightly owing to the 

 large size of the leaves and their dull colouring, and 

 to the fact that the creeper harbours dust and dirt. 

 The remedy is a very simple one, namely, to clip the 

 Ivy severely at this season of the year. All the old 

 leaves may be removed ^ and the plant cut back close 

 to the wall. As spring progresses, fresh, clean leaves 

 will appear, and clothe the wall with a mantle of 

 delightful green. If this work is carried out in the 

 depth of winter the creeper remains bare and un- 

 sightly for weeks; if, however, it is deferred until 

 late in March or early April, fresh growth soon shows, 

 and the stems are bare only for a short time. It is a 

 matter both for wonder and regret that some of the 

 ornamental-leaved Ivies are not more often grown in 

 place of the common green kind. They may not be 

 quite so vigorous, but they are much more attractive, 

 and in suitable positions grow quite strongly enough. 

 Maderensis variegata is one of the best. 



A shrub the pruning of which is often inquired 

 about is the St. John's Wort (Hypericum calycinum), 

 an admirable little plant for covering the ground in 

 shady places. It, too, needs to be cut hard every 

 second year, then fresh growth springs up strongly 

 from the base and in due course bears its large and 

 showy golden-yellow blossoms. 



Early - flowering Chrysanthemums are among the 

 finest border plants of late summer and autumn, and 

 every garden ought to find room for a few. The 

 present is an excellent time to lift and divide the old 

 clumps, or to take cuttings, many of which may be 

 detached already possessing roots. Those that have 

 not, will quickly become rooted in a frame, if this is 

 kept closed for a week or two. 



Climbers for a North Wall. A north wall is under- 

 stood to mean one having a northern aspect, the worst 



169 



