48 THE BOOK OF CLIMBING PLANTS 



may be thinned out when they become too crowded. 

 There are so many varieties that it is impossible to 

 name more than a few, but the list in the tables at the 

 end will supply the names of a good selection. One, 

 however, which ought not to be omitted, though it is 

 not one of the newest, is Gloire de Versailles, a variety 

 of C. azureus, which has charming pale blue flowers in 

 dense thyrses. The French raisers, such as M. Lemoine, 

 have given us quite an embarrassing choice, but among 

 these we may select for mention the double-flowered 

 hybrid, flore albo pleno, and the rosy-violet Palmyre. 

 C. dentatus may also be named as a good hardy species 

 with small clusters of blue flowers. 



As wall shrubs the Forsythias, which are deciduous, 

 and flower before the appearance of the leaves, are 

 exceedingly ornamental. They should have a rather 

 sheltered place, because of their early blooming, 

 although perfectly hardy. They grow in common 

 soil, and when on a wall should be trained so 

 that the main branches are fastened to it. The other 

 shoots can then be spurred back, or if preferred, and 

 the more elegant way, allowed to grow a good length, 

 when they will make a fine effect with their long sprays 

 of golden bells. "Golden Bell" is the appropriate 

 popular name for the Forsythia. Viridissima and sus- 

 pensa are the two most commonly cultivated, but I 

 prefer intermedia, a hybrid form. They make fine 

 trellis plants also, and look remarkably attractive with 

 a dark background, such as Ivy. 



The Escallonias are also fine wall shrubs, although 

 one of the finest, macrantha, is too tender for many 

 inland gardens and thrives best near the sea. Its fine 

 crimson flowers are very attractive along with the 

 glossy evergreen foliage, which it shares with the 

 others of the genus. Philippiana seems to be con- 

 siderably hardier, and its white flowers are appreciated. 



