276 GARDENING FOR BEGINNERS 



Green-lectued Kinds. Dentata has larger leaves than any other Ivy, 

 is of free growth, and very handsome ; nigra, better known perhaps as 

 atropurpurea^ is a beautiful variety for winter effect. It is of quick 

 growth, and its bright green leaves change to blackish crimson in winter. 

 It is one of the best of the green-leaved Ivies. When the winter Jasmine 

 can get its trails of yellow flowers amongst this Ivy, the effect is very 

 charming. Amurensis, known also as macrodonta, is a quick-growing kind 

 with large, thick V-shaped leaves, deep green in spring, passing to bronzy 

 brown in winter. Emerald Green is a splendid variety for edging walks, 

 as it is of close, compact habit, with rich glossy green leaves. The Bird's- 

 foot Ivy (H. pedata) is so named on account of its leaves resembling the 

 feet of a bird. They are light green, with conspicuous silvery veins ; 

 taurica, himalaica, and angularis are good sorts too. 



Ivies, Tree. These make excellent plants in pots for decorating 

 rooms, &c., and for winter bedding they are splendidly adapted. H. 

 arborea is the well-known Tree Ivy, and needs nothing more than passing 

 reference. The golden-leaved variety aurea is constant in colour and 

 of free growth. The silver-leaved form and the yellow-berried variety 

 well deserve notice. We enjoy a group of the Tree Ivy with China Roses 

 planted amongst it. 



Jasmines. Three kinds of Jasmine prove good climbing plants in 

 England. The sweet-scented Jasmine (Jasminum officinale) that per- 

 fumes the air with its white flowers around cottage porches, its variety 

 affine, the yellow-flowered /. revolutum, an evergreen, which, being a 

 native of India, was formerly treated as a hothouse plant, but has proved 

 hardy, and the winter-flowering /. nudiflorum, which bears sweetly- 

 scented yellow flowers along its leafless shoots in winter. Shoots with 

 buds about to open, placed in water in the house, expand delightfully. 

 It will grow anywhere, even in a London garden ; it is one of the brightest 

 and most welcome of climbing plants, and should have a background of 

 ivy or evergreens. Jasmines, besides being placed against walls, may be 

 allowed to ramble over old tree stumps, arbours, pergolas, or planted 

 in groups, say of threes, against rough, stout stakes put into the ground 

 triangular fashion, several feet from each other, and the tops secured 

 with twine. The effect of this at flowering time is very pretty. /. 

 fruticans, from Southern Europe, is a neat evergreen species, and quite 

 happy on a shady lawn. Its yellow flowers are succeeded by round black 

 berries. With regard to the pruning or thinning out of the growths of 

 Jasmines they must not all be pruned at the same time. Shorten the 

 growths of the winter-flowering Jasmine and remove weakly ones as 

 soon as the flowers are over. 



Lonicera (Honeysuckle). Of climbing sorts the evergreen Trumpet 

 Honeysuckles (Lonicera sepervirens vars.) are rampant in growth and 

 have showy flowers during summer. Those of the type are scarlet outside 

 and yellow in the tube. Plantierensis is a remarkably fine hybrid, with 

 larger flowers than those of the last-named. The colour is bright orange 

 and scarlet. Where variety is wanted, Brownii and superbum may be 

 added. The Trumpet Honeysuckles should be planted in a sheltered 



