THE GARDEN BOOK OF CALIFORNIA 



The only fault that can be found with the ampelopsis is 

 that it is deciduous and has a rather long period of leafless- 

 ness. To my mind, however, the delicate tracery of the bare 

 limbs of this vine are very beautiful outlined on a wall, and 

 the great beauty of the longer season of its growth is suffi- 

 cient compensation for the period of waiting. 



To those who wish a vine that is practically an evergreen, 

 I can recommend nothing better than Bignonia tToeediana, 

 which clings fast to either wood or stone and has a brilliant 

 green foliage and bright attractive yellow flowers. One 

 recommendation for this variety is that in case of an acci- 

 dental or desirable detachment of any portion or all of the 

 vine from the building, the growth of years is not lost in spite 

 of the necessary cutting away, for the well-grown root will 

 send out a new growth which is almost magical, and, after 

 a severe cutting back, a few months will restore what it has 

 taken years of first growth to secure. As this vine is almost 

 invariably rather bare of leaves near the ground, it is to be 

 used preferably where it may be trained high. 



Bignonia venusta is very valuable as a climber but drops 

 its leaves during the winter. Tecoma capensis, with its gor- 

 geous scarlet bloom, I find most attractive. 



The tacsonias and passifloras give a wide range of color 

 to choose from but are often made undesirable, being so 

 subject to insect pests. This difficulty may be easily over- 

 come, however, by the careful gardener, who will properly 

 use white hellebore. While one is planting, one may as well 

 consider the matter of "perfume in the air." Of course there 



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