CONSERVATORY CLIMBERS— SENECIO MACROGLOSSUS. 255 



may be trained in a sunny position not far from the glass, where it should flower 

 abundantly ; the roots are best confined to pots. Lapagerias, in addition to being 

 grown in pots and tubs, as advised in the chapter on greenhouse plants (page 199, 

 Vol. II.), succeed still better planted out in a mixture of fibrous loam broken up 

 roughly, peat, lumps of charcoal and sharp sand, and trained thinly not far from 

 the glass. When well established, they ought to receive abundance of water at 

 the roots, and should always be shaded from strong sun. The succulent young 



shoots, when coming through the 

 soil, must be carefully protected 

 from slugs. Mikania scandens, 

 known also as Senecio macro- 

 glossus, a near ally to eupatoriums, 

 is suitable for covering trellises 

 in a conservatory ; it has ivy-like 

 leaves, and produces flowers similar 

 to yellow marguerites, but brighter, 

 in the winter (Fig. 150); pot in a 

 rich, loamy mixture. Ehyncosper- 

 mum, previously recommended for 

 greenhouse culture, also succeeds 

 well planted out in a conservatory 

 and trained up pillars and over 

 archways ; plant in equal parts of 

 loam and peat, adding charcoal and 

 sand. Swainsonias are good for 

 walls and pillars. They may be 

 planted in narrow borders or kept in pots ; soil suitable, two parts of fibrous loam 

 to one of peat, with sand. Syringe freely to keep down red spider, apply weak, 

 liquid manure to those well-established in pots. Tecoma jasminoides is a handsome, 

 strong-growing climber, requiring the same treatment as Bignonias, to which class of 

 plant it is a near ally. Asparagus plumosus and tennuissimus can be successfully 

 grown, planted in rich soil in a warm, shady part of a conservatory, where they will 

 clothe the pillars beautifully. Smilax (Myrsiphyllum asparagoides) requires very 

 similar treatment, long strings being provided for the growths to twine round. Ficus 



Fig. 150. Senecio macroglossus. 

 (The Ivy-leaved Senecio.) 



