CLIMBERS UNDER GLASS 87 



Asystasia scandens is a stove evergreen which likes 

 loam, peat and sand, 1 and is propagated by cuttings in 

 April. The Billardieras are ornamental evergreen 

 plants, thriving in loam and peat, and propagated by 

 cuttings or seeds. Cryptostegias are pretty stove 

 climbers propagated by cuttings in bottom heat and 

 thriving in loam, peat and sand. The" shrubby Randia 

 macrantha has long-tubed yellow flowers and is a good 

 stove plant, preferring fibrous loam and peat, with some 

 sand. 



These brief notes upon the various climbers for grow- 

 ing under glass — exclusive of the annuals, which see 

 in the chapter devoted to these — may be concluded with 

 a mention of two pretty foliage plants. These are 

 respectively the Smilaxes and Piper porphyrophyllum. 

 The former are capital twiners for the stove or green- 

 house, Australis, discolor, and ornata being among the 

 best for the purpose ; the two last having ornamental 

 foliage. They like sandy loam, and are increased by 

 division. The stove climber Piper porphyrophyllum 

 has beautiful bronze-green leaves with pink spots, the 

 under-surface being purple. It likes a rich loam and is 

 propagated by cuttings of half-ripe growths. For a 

 number of other climbers and shrubs suitable for cold 

 or slightly heated houses reference should be made 

 to those in other classes marked with an asterisk. 



