302 HORTICULTURE FOR SCHOOLS 



plants for landscape-gardening, not to suggest specific plants, 

 but merely to call attention to some of the material available 

 in practically all parts of North America. 



420. Climbing vines. No single feature of landscape- 

 gardening can add more to the attractiveness of the average 

 home than a judicious use of climbing plants. They cover 

 the harsh outlines of buildings, or screen porches and windows 

 from the glare of the midsummer sun. The foliage, by its 

 constant evaporation of moisture, assists in keeping down the 

 temperature, and supplies the fresh green so beautiful to 

 the eye. 



As a rule, climbers are easy to start, and require little care 

 once they are well established. There are both evergreen 

 and deciduous forms, so if the buildings are too damp or 

 dark in the winter, the deciduous kinds may be used. Some 

 cling by vacuum cups or muscilaginous excretions, others 

 fasten themselves to objects by tendrils or by twining about 

 them, while still others have to be supported on trellis work. 

 Here again there is ample latitude for choice. 



421. Boston ivy. One of the best climbers is the Boston 

 ivy. The technical name is Parthenocissus tricuspidata; in 

 parts of the country it is sold under the name of Ampelopsis 

 Veitchii. It is deciduous, although there is now an evergreen 

 form on the market. The plant is a member of the grape 

 family. The leaves resemble somewhat those of the wild 

 grape, and the little clusters of small berry-like fruits suggest 

 strongly miniature bunches of grapes. 



Boston ivy grows to a great height, clinging to walls by 

 means of tendrils which secrete a mucilaginous substance. 

 It has a wealth of glossy green foliage which persists during 

 the greater part of the year. 



422. Virginia creeper, Parthenocissus quinquefolia, is 

 closely related to the Boston ivy. (Quinque means five ; and 

 the name is derived from the fact that the leaves are com- 

 pound, having five leaflets.) This plant does not cling so 



