566 



Gardening for Amateurs 



Climbing Plants for Clothing Old Tree Stumps 



WHEN an old Apple or other tree 

 in a prominent position dies, the 

 first thought is to remove it. 

 Yet it is possible to utilise such a derelict 

 so that it becomes the means of adding 

 considerably to the decorative effect of 

 the garden. By the planting of suitable 

 climbers and ramblers tree stumps may 

 be transformed into objects of beauty. It 

 is necessary before planting to prepare the 

 soil thoroughly, for in such positions it is 

 often very poor. It is most satisfactory 

 to remove the old soil to a depth of 18 

 inches or 2 feet, replacing it with good loam, 

 and a smaller quantity of old manure and 

 leaf-soil. Do not plant close to the stump ; 

 it is an easy matter to train the growths of 

 the plants as they develop. 



Noting the climbers suitable for the pur- 

 pose in alphabetical order, mention must 

 first be made of Actinidia. This is some- 

 what uncommon in gardens. Actinidia poly- 

 gama bears sweet-smelling flowers in the 

 summer, and these are followed by berries ; 

 A. Kolomicta is very attractive in the 

 autumn ; but perhaps the finest is A. 

 Chinensis, the young growths of which are 

 covered with red hairs ; the leaves are com- 

 paratively large, and the yellow flowers are 

 followed by berries. All three are quick 

 growing. 



The well-known Virginian Creeper Ampe- 

 lopsis hederacea is extremely effective when 

 used in this way, and in autumn is especially 

 showy. For isolated positions, where their 

 spreading roots will not interfere with other 

 plants, the large - flowering Convolvulus 

 (Calystegia) is suitable ; both the white and 

 pink forms should be planted, preferably 

 together. Celastrus scandens should be in- 

 cluded for winter effect, at which season its 

 scarlet berries are very conspicuous. 



Clematises in variety may be used, but 

 the following are especially recommended : 

 C. grata, producing white flowers in early 

 autumn ; C. montana, white flowers in 

 May ; C. Flammula, with innumerable 

 small, fragrant, whitish flowers in late 

 summer; C. Jackmanii, the well-known 



purple kind that blooms in July and August ; 

 and the common Traveller's Joy (C. Vitalba). 

 The rapid growth of the Hop is well known, 

 and the Golden Hop, which has very bright 

 foliage, is equally vigorous. As an evergreen 

 climber the Ivy is unrivalled, and several 

 varieties are suitable for covering trees. 

 The common white Jasmine, Jasminum 

 officinale, may be allowed to ramble at will, 

 and thus has a more natural appearance 

 than where hard annual pruning is necessary, 

 as on walls. 



For covering tree trunks the Everlasting 

 Pea, Lathyrus latifolius, is suitable if support 

 of some kind is provided. Both the pink 

 and white varieties are free-flowering. 



Honeysuckles may be planted in variety, 

 but one of outstanding merit is L. gigantea 

 superba, of very rapid growth, and giving 

 large yellow flowers. It is not an evergreen. 

 Polygonums which can be recommended 

 are P. multiflorum and P. baldschuanicum, 

 the creamy-white flowers of the latter 

 being especially effective throughout the 

 summer. Mention of the name Smilax will 

 bring the well-known greenhouse plant to 

 mind, but there are hardy kinds also ; two 

 suitable for the purpose under notice being 

 S. aspera, which is prickly, and S. rotundi- 

 folia. Both are evergreens. 



Hardy Vines may also be used, and 

 should be planted if only for autumn effect. 

 Good sorts are Vitis Brandt ; V. Coignetiae 

 purpurea ; V. Henryana ; V. purpurea ; 

 and V. Thunbergii. 



Roses are indispensable, and the varieties 

 suitable are numerous. Practically all the 

 wichuraiana Roses may be utilised ; a few 

 of the best are Edmund Proust, a curious 

 carmine shade : Gardenia, cream ; Jersey 

 Beauty, single yellow ; Paradise, pink and 

 white ; and Paul Transon, rose. To succeed 

 these there are Debutante, pink ; Dorothy 

 Perkins, pink ; Excelsa, beautiful shade of 

 red ; Hiawatha, crimson ; Lady Godiva, 

 pale pink ; Minnehaha, deep pink ; Rubra, 

 single scarlet ; White Dorothy, a white 

 sport from Dorothy Perkins ; and Alberic 

 Barbier, yellow buds and white flowers. 



