CHAPTER XXXIV 



VINES 



VINES constitute a small but important group of plants possessing 

 certain characteristics which are very valuable for use in landscape 

 design. The annual vines develop to maturity and must be started 

 again each season from seed. Perennial vines, once firmly established, 

 continue to increase indefinitely, at least during a period of years. 

 Many vines, such as the wisteria and ivies, are seen on buildings hun- 

 dreds of years old and, in general, the average long-lived vine will out- 

 live its period of usefulness on any building, especially on wooden 

 structures, which are subject to decay and to periodical repairs. 



To many people a "vine is a vine" without any differentiation as to 

 its usefulness. As a matter of fact, vines may be divided into certain 

 definite groups which are valuable for different purposes. The knot- 

 weed, honeysuckle, and climbing roses represent a group which are 

 very desirable for their flowering effect. It often happens that vines 

 are desired, not so much for their screen effects as for the effect of pro- 

 ducing flowers within a limited space, and thus adding spots of beauty 

 to otherwise unattractive and monotonous surfaces. 



It is quite necessary in selecting vines for use on brick work, stone 

 and masonry surfaces, that the method of growth of such vines should 

 be fully understood. Those vines which grow upon fences and lattice 

 work are either scramblers or twiners or they grow by means of ten- 

 drils, as do the Virginia creeper and the grape. None of these vines are 

 adapted for use on brick work and masonry surfaces. There is a group 

 of vines which grow and cling to these surfaces by means of little 

 growths, at intervals along their stems, the tips of which, as soon as 

 they come in contact with any surface, produce a sticky fluid that 

 immediately "cements" the vine to the wall. In the case of the Bos- 

 ton ivy the little tendril, at the tip of which is the adhesive substance, 

 has a tendency to contract in the manner of a twisted cord and thus 

 pull the stem closer to the wall. This is a peculiar provision of nature. 

 This list of vines is comparatively small and is represented generally 



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