174. VINES 
winter. In fact, no water at all need be given 
during the resting period, but generous feeding 
is called for just before the flowering period. 
Under good treatment the vine will attain a 
height of twenty feet. It can be made to flower 
out-doors by lifting the roots in the fall, storing 
them in a dry cellar over winter, and planting 
them in the open the following spring. 
The best species is the blue-flowered Plum- 
bago capensis which will flower in summer from 
cuttings taken the previous fall. Variety alba 
of this species is the best white-flowered leadwort 
we have. Other forms are P. rosea with purplish- 
red blossoms; P. rosea var. cocinea, flowers slightly 
larger; and P. scandens, bearing white flowers. 
All the leadworts can be made to flower in late 
winter by drying them off very early in the fall 
and starting them into growth during midwinter. 
The best foliage vine for the cool house is the 
creeping fig (Ficus pumila), which has small, 
dark-green leaves in agreeable profusion. Its 
one requirement is good soil. Set the vines in 
an enriched border and feed sufficiently to satisfy 
their gross appetite. The plant, climbing by 
means of rootlets, will cling to any wall, trellis, 
or support, and requires absolutely no care beyond 
cutting it away from anything you do not wish 
