CREEPERS AND CLIMBERS 91 



unfold so slowly to show their satin linings and the big 

 gold jewel that lies inside each cup. 



Both on our north and south and west walls we plant 

 Gloire-de-Dijon Roses along with purple Clematis, not 

 for a succession of flowers, but so that they may bloom 

 together. Few things in nature are more truly satis- 

 factory than the way these two plants have of blossoming 

 at the same time ; the colours contrast so perfectly. 



Passion-flowers and Clematis Montana are two creepers 

 that, as a rule, do well on warm south walls. For a long 

 time we revelled in these upon the house ; but both are 

 delicate. Even so far south as Surrey we found a very 

 cold, damp winter would kill them, and it is dreadful to 

 see an empty wall which once was full of leaves and 

 blossoms, so we now grow these creepers in some 

 sheltered corner ; arch of door and window-mullion 

 must have stronger plants. 



No creepers are hardier than the Virginians, nor could 

 any look prettier as they wreath above a porch. More 

 than once the shelter of ours has been chosen for a rare 

 bird's nesting, and the author of a gardening dictionary 

 was so taken with it that he begged for its photo- 

 graph, as an illustration of that particular creeper, in his 

 book. I have never known anything to kill this plant 

 except drought or sunstroke. Do give it a little water in 

 dry, hot weather. Our south wall has been the scene of 

 many adventures in the plant world. There is a family 

 legend about the Passion-flower that for years grew high 

 enough to look in (along with the roses) at our chamber 

 windows. It did not survive the foot-treads of Mr. 

 Peace, the thief and murderer, who, one fine day at the 

 luncheon hour, climbed up by it over a portico and into 

 a bedroom, whence he made off with all the jewellery 

 he could find ; die the Passion-flower certainly did, and 

 that before the following winter's frost. 



Another creeper of great value to the suburban gardener 



