466 



THE BOOK OF GARDENING. 



porches, arbours, and such-like places. No particular soil is 

 necessary. 



The Virginian Creepers {Ampelopsis) are perhaps the most 

 easily grown of all hardy climbing plants, and in autumn most 

 effective, the foliage turning to brilliant colours. Veitch's Vir- 

 ginian Creeper (A. Veitchii) is well known ; when established, it 

 attaches itself to the driest walls. A. hederacea is of rapid 

 growth, and when trained up the trunks of old trees, and 

 allowed to ramble amongst sparsely-leaved branches, is very 

 ornamental. In autumn its deeply-lobed leaves assume many 

 shades of brown, chocolate, and crimson. A. muralis is a self- 

 clinging climber of quick growth. The foliage of this kind is 

 even more brilliant than that of A. hederacea. 



Vitis CoigneticB is perfectly hardy and of easy culture. 



Towards the close of the 

 summer its handsome leaves 

 turn a rich crimson and 

 claret. V. Tinturier is too 

 brilliant in its' autumn 

 colouring to pass over un- 

 noticed. V. cordtfolia suc- 

 ceeds better in a moist 

 ' than in a dry soil. It is a 

 vigorous and beautiful sort 

 V. californica is another 

 vigorous sort, with hand- 

 some foliage which turns to 

 crimson in autumn. V. 

 Tkunbergi is rather rare in 

 this country. It is a very 

 strong grower, with larger 

 leaves than V. Coignetice, and 

 very beautiful. Where vigor- 

 ous ornamental vines are 

 needed, this one should be noted. Actinidia Kolomikta is another 

 vigorous climber, conspicuous for the rich colouring of its leaves 

 in September. It is well adapted for covering arbours, trellises, 

 &c, and succeeds best in a light rich soil. Xanthoceras sorbifolia 

 displays its terminal racemes of cream-white flowers streaked with 

 blood red in the centre better against a wall than when planted 

 in the open shrubbery border, unless the latter happen to be a 

 favoured one. Its Sorbus-like leaves are pale green and very 

 beautiful. 



The Winter Jasmine {J. nudiflorum) is a bright mid-winter 

 flowering shrub, and if associated with a background of small- 

 leaved evergreens its value is much enhanced, as its rich canary- 

 yellow flowers are seen to greater advantage. J. n. aureum is a 

 very ornamental sort with yellow leaves. The flowers are yellow. 



Fig. 294.— Jasminum officinale affink. 



