SOME OF TIIK OK N A MENTAL SHRUBS AND VINES. 365 



355. Virginia Creeper. The Ampelopsis quinqnefolia, 

 often called the American woodbine, but more properly 

 Virginia creeper, is peculiarly variable as found in different 

 parts of the Union. As found in the Black Hills its 

 leaves have a silvery appearance, and as found clustering 

 over the rocks at the Devil's Backbone in Delaware County, 

 Iowa, it differs materially from the commercial type. 

 The most valuable variety generally propagated is known 

 as A. Engelmanni. This has smaller and denser foliage 

 than the usual type, and is known in Chicago as American 

 ivy. The Japan species, A. tricuspidata, known com- 

 mercially SLsA. Veitchi, and as Boston ivy, has lobed leaves 

 that are glabrous and shiny on both sides. This is 

 popular in the East and South, and does well on the east, 

 west, and north exposures, but its foliage burns on a south- 

 erly exposure on porches or walls in Iowa and Minnesota. 



356. Chinese Wistaria. This is a rapid-growing vine 

 that will twine to advantage around porch columns, arbors, 

 and fences. Its large panicles of blue flowers are pro- 

 duced in great profusion. 



357. Jackman's Clematis. This is a showy climber 

 when supported on woven wire. Its intensely violet blue 

 flowers are very large and attractive. At the West the 

 weak canes are cut back and the crown is covered over 

 with leaves or other protective material. 



358. Actinidia arguta. This is a peculiarly rampant- 

 growing vine . from Japan, with a tropical expression of 

 foliage. Where hardy east of the lakes and in the South, 

 it will cover a fence, arbor, or trellis in less time than any 

 vine known to the writer. In the West, north of the 

 42d parallel, it is not hardy enough for a permanent cover- 

 ing of arbor or porch ; but in less important positions, if 

 cut back severely when injured, it soon regains what it 

 has lost, with added beauty of the new growth. 



