CHAPTER IV 



HARDY DECIDUOUS AND HERBACEOUS CLIMBERS 



The Vitis — Ampelopsis — Wistarias — Loniceras — Apios — Rubuses — 

 Jasminums — Aristolochia — Hydrangea — Schizophragma — Muehlen- 

 beckia — Lyciums — Periploca — Polygonum — Lathyrus — Calystegias 

 — Convolvulus — Cynananchum — Actinidias — Decumaria — Celastrus 

 — Hablitzia — Humulus — Ipomcea — Cucumis — Megarrhiza — Meni- 

 spermum— Mutisias — Tropseolums. 



In this large and important division of climbing plants 

 there is more than sufficient choice to satisfy the most 

 ardent lover of such beautiful subjects. They include 

 among them plants of great diversity of character and are 

 adapted for many purposes. In cold districts' they form 

 generally the most satisfactory section of climbers with 

 the exception of such evergreens as the Ivy and a few 

 others, or some of the wall shrubs not of true climbing 

 habit. 



One of the most important genera is that of the Vitis, 

 or Vine. This really includes the greater number of 

 the plants grown as Ampelopsis, but the force of habit 

 is so powerful that it will be long before these will be 

 known by any other name, so that they are kept distinct 

 here. It is needless to say much in favour of the Vine. 

 Apart from its merits as a fruiting plant, and cultivated 

 simply for its decorative foliage, its principal use in the 

 open garden, it is one of the most beautiful of deciduous 

 climbers for the wall, the arbour, the trellis, or for 

 clambering up a tree, as in any of these positions the 

 fine leaves are ornamental either in summer or, more 

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