Wistaria 
and 
Clematis 
Montana 
he brought over in 1816, may still be spreading its huge length 
over the old Wistar house, as it was twelve years ago. I came 
upon a delightful colour effect this spring in a very fine old 
Hampshire garden. Over a gateway in an old wall a mass of 
Wistaria supported on heavy wooden bars was in full bloom; 
through it a mass of pink China Rose had forced its way 
upwards; the whole being backed by a Quince tree in flower, 
while the water of a pond gleamed through the opening 
beneath. A more charming combination is hard to imagine. 
Another admirable background for Wistaria may be seen 
in a Yew hedge. But Yew is a most effective setting to many 
creepers. For instance the Flame Flower, Trop@olum speciosum, 
never looks better than when it scrambles over a yew hedge; 
and it seems to delight in such a support for those dainty leaves 
that cling with so firm a twist of their slender stalks to every 
available twig. The invaluable Clematis montana too, beauti- 
ful as it is in all positions, is singularly attractive when allowed 
to run wild up a yew tree, and hang its pendant ropes of snowy 
stars from every gloomy branch. 
As on the pergola, so among creepers for other positions, 
whether on house or wall or fence, a well-ordered succession 
which even in winter shall give green foliage if they cannot 
bear flowers, is a point to be considered. And of evergreen 
climbers and wall plants there are happily many available, 
besides new Wichuriana Roses, and our old friends the ever- 
green Honeysuckles. One has seen the grey stone of a house 
far up in the north of Scotland clothed to the upper windows 
with the glossy foliage of Escallonia macrantha, Euonymus, 
green, gold, or silver, grows admirably against a wall. The 
handsome Pyracantha and some of the Cotoneasters, cover the 
200 
