Clematis 



( 218 



Clematis 



should be provided for them. Being East Indian 

 these Orchids require a high temperature and 

 moist atmosphere. 



Principal Species: 



discolor, IS', Mch., yel., roseurn, H', Sep., rosy yel. 



wh. tridentatum, H', sura., 



ionosmum, 2', Mch., yel. grh., red, wh. 



latifolium, IV, Mch., yel., 



red. 



CLEMATIS. (VIRGIN'S BOWER.) 

 Description. The Clematis (ord. Ranunculacete) 

 is among the finest of our climbing or trailing 

 plants, and is of inestimable value in the garden 



Photo: Caascll <C - Company, Ltd. 



CLEMATIS FAIR ROSAMOND, GROWN AS A FILLAII 

 PLANT AT KF.W (see p. 219). 



or grounds. Whether grown on trellises on walls, 

 rambling over trees, trailing over large rockwork, 

 forming beds, or for ornamenting the greenhouse 

 or conservatory, it lias few, if any, superiors. 

 Many of the species are very beautiful, but it 

 is mainly to the seedlings and hybrids that we 

 must look for our finest flowers. The erect or 

 non-climbing species are also worthy of a place in 

 the border, where several of them will give much 

 pleasure. Those who are best acquainted with the 

 Clematises are aware of the wealth of variety 

 which they can give, not only by the large-flowered 

 hybrids so familiar, but also by others from dif- 

 ferent parents, which are gradually being im- 

 proved, and which will be valuable additions to 

 our gardens. 



Propagation. Clematises are generally prop- 

 agated by grafting on the roots of the common 

 Vitalba, although those of other species are 

 quite as good. This is done as early as possible, 

 the roots, after grafting, being placed in small 

 pots put in a propagating case in heat. After 

 union they may be gradually hardened off before 

 placing outside. Layers also root in about a 

 year. Cuttings of one or more eyes may also be 

 rooted in a propagating case, or even in a warm 

 greenhouse, if covered with a bell-glass. Seeds 

 grow readily if sown in spring in light sandy soil 

 in pots or pans in a heatec 1 or cold frame. Young 

 plants should have the ordinary treatment of seed- 

 ling hardy flowers, but it is advisable to keep them 

 under glass for some time, so as to make them 

 strong before planting out. Some of the species 

 flower in the first or second year, but with the 

 others more patience is needed. 



Soil. A rich, rather heavy soil, but not stiff and 

 clayey, will grow the Clematis well. It ought to 

 be deeply trenched, and manure, well rotted, 

 plentifully added as the work proceeds. 



Other Cultural Points. The Clematis is subject 

 in some gardens to a disease which causes it to die 

 off. This appears to be caused by an unknown 

 constituent in the soil in these gardens, but in 

 some where the Clematis has previously failed it 

 has been found that the plants will grow satis- 

 factorily if the lower portions of the stems are 

 shaded from the sun by other plants. This is 

 worthy of a trial in gardens where the plant has 

 hitherto been lost. Against walls and trees the 

 Clematis frequently suffers from drought, and in 

 these positions it ought to have occasional soakings 

 with water, to which some good fertiliser has licc:i 

 added. An occasional dressing of lime will also 

 be found beneficial. Attention must be paid to 

 training the plants, and those on trellises must be 

 carefully tied in as they grow, to prevent the shoots 

 from being broken or twisted among each other. 

 Pruning requires to be performed according 

 to the class to which the plant belongs. Thus, 

 those which flower on the old, or ripened, wood, 

 only require thinning out or slight cutting back; 

 while those which bloom on the summer shoots 

 may be cut back considerably. Such Clematises 

 as Jackmanii may be cut almost to the ground 

 if wanted to cover only a small space, or to be 

 limited in height. The Montana, Patens, and 

 Florida types all flower from the old wood. The 

 Lanuginosa section flowers on short, summer shoots, 

 and generally needs little cutting bade. The 

 greenhouse species are very ornamental, and require 

 a temperature of at least 40. For an unheated 

 house the varieties of the Lanuginosa type are 

 well adapted. C. indivisa lobata is very fine in a 

 heated house. Clematises are generally supplied 

 in pots, and may thus be planted at almost any 

 season, spring or early summer being the best, 

 however, for the purpose. 



Principal Species and Varieties : 



coccinea, Jy., sc.: climb- 

 ing, a beautiful plant. 



Several hybrids of this 



will be found below 



(KI/HS. Pitcheri, Can: 



not Tort: and Gmt/, and 



Vioma var. coccinra.) 

 Flamiuula, Jy. , etc., cl., 



wh. (*/. augustifolia, 



cn*spitosa, caii 



fragrans, maritima, 



and paniculate). 

 florida, Ap., Sep., cl., wh. 



Very beautiful, 

 heraclearfolia, 2', Jy., bl. 



Good for border (nyn. 



Hookeri). 

 diividiana (py- C. 



