666 



SOME HARDY CLIMBERS. 



take the place of that species. It grows in moist or wet 

 swamps, in rich muck, or in springs or by small streams, 

 requiring a good deal of moisture ; is from 6 to 18 inches 

 high. The stems are very weak and exceedingly slen- 

 der, the handsome flowers larger than those of Loh^Ha 

 Eriiius, and somewhat like them, bright blue, with a 

 white center, not at all racemed as the preceding are, 

 but borne on long, slender (almost hair-like) stalks, re- 



mote from each other. When ready for transplanting 

 it is small (one-fourth to three-fourths of an inch in 

 diameter), the crown of leaves forming a revolute tuft, 

 bearing many long white hair-like roots. Well adapted 

 for the river or lake borders, the moist rockery, or the 

 Wardian case. In its proper place this plant is a dainty 

 little gem that will always delight the grower. 



Michigan. W. A. B. 



SOME HARDY CLIMBERS. 



ONE of our prettiest climbers is Akcbia 

 quinata, though I have never seen it 

 recommended save in florists' cata- 

 logues. It is a strong, thrifty vine, 

 forming, after a few years' growth, a 

 tough, woody stem, and requiring no protection. 

 The leaves are beautiful in shape, and frequently 

 remain green throughout the winter. It bears clus- 

 ters of fragrant chocolate-colored flowers that form 

 a charming contrast to the dark green foliage. It 

 enjoys perfect freedom from insect attacks. Taken 

 all in all, it is a very desirable vine, and will flour- 

 ish with ordinary care. 



Another favorite is W'tstaria Sinensis, a native of 

 China, whose drooping racemes of lilac-colored flowers 

 can not be surpassed. When given good soil and plenty 

 of water, it is a rapid grower. It is easily propagated 

 by cuttings from either rootsor branches. Mrs. Loudon, 

 in her fascinating book, "Gardening for Ladies, " tells 

 us of a plant of this species grown in the Horticultural 

 Society's garden in London, which covered a space of 

 300 feet, and produced in one summer 9, 000 racemes' 

 containing, in all, 675,000 separate flowers. This was 

 certainly a sight worth seeing, and hardly to be equaled 

 in this country; for no doubt the moist climate of Eng- 

 land had an influence in promoting such wonderfu' 

 development. Still, our specimens of this handsome 

 vine might be much finer than they are, did they but 

 receive the care and attention which they merit. 



Following is a pretty and novel method of training 

 the wistaria as an ornamental object for a lawn : A 

 stake five feet in length is driven firmly into the ground, 

 and to it the young plant is tied. At the top is a small 

 cross-piece upon which the plant is allowed to branch in 

 its own wild way. It is not to touch the ground, being 

 nipped off and twined back over the top. In time, 

 there is formed a graceful and careless mass of green, 

 which, with the pendulous racemes of lilac flowers 

 presents a striking appearance. 



Twining roses trained in this way look equally well, 

 with the added advantage of being within reach when 

 attacked by that aggravating pest, the slug. This 

 method of cultivating the rose is largely practiced in 

 European countries. 



A vigorous climber of our own country is Afistoloihia 

 sip/io, familiarly termed "Dutchman's Pipe," from its 



unique brownish pipe-shaped flowers. In its native woods 

 of western Pennsylvania and the southern states, it 

 creeps up the forest trees to the height of 30 or 40 feet- 

 In civilized life it has been known to aspire toward the 

 eaves of a dwelling had its course not been stopped by 

 judicious pruning. Having broad leaves, it soon forms 

 a dense shade, though, being rather coarse in appear- 

 ance, it is better adapted to arbors than to verandas. 

 It is a singular fact that though sturdy in growth it is 

 hardly possible for amateurs to propagate it from seed 

 or slips, so that we must depend upon the nurseryman. 



Of the loniceras, commonly called honeysuckles or 

 woodbines, we may have a choice of many species, for 

 the finest of which we are indebted to China, Russia, 

 and southern Europe. The one most highly prized is 

 Lonicera lapi ifo/iini/ . Its fragrant flowers, with varied 

 hues of red, white and yellow, give it prominence over 

 many others. This combined with sweet briar or 

 eglantine makes an admirable shade for bay windows 

 particularly if they happen to be in the breakfast room, 

 where the delicious perfume may greet one early of a 

 summer morning. 



The ampelopsis or Virginia creeper of our own fields 

 and woods is deserving of notice, even though it is so 

 very common. It is a vigorous climber and its foliage of 

 shining green, changing to crimson in autumn, makes 

 it very attractive. Its mode of climbing, also, by means 

 of tiny hand-like appendages, which clasp the wall so 

 tightly as to make it impossible to detach them without 

 breaking, is extremely interesting. The flowers are in- 

 significant, but the purple berries which grow in little 

 bunches all over the vine are attractive. The ampel- 

 opsis is very easy of culture, if given good soil. 



Among all our native vines in their forest home, there 

 is no prettier object than a Clematis Virginiana or vir- 

 gin's bower, clambering over the tops of rank weeds 

 and shrubs, covering them in mid-summer with a veil 

 of starry flowers. This plant adapts itself readily to 

 new situations, and is excellent for wire fences, rapidly 

 covering the stiff, hard outlines with its flexible stems. 



But the queen of all such vines is the Clefnatis flam- 

 miila, a native of southern Europe. For daintiness 

 and grace it exceeds all others, twining and interlacing 

 its slender branches until it forms a perfect network of 

 green. But its crowning glory is the clusters of deli- 

 cate white blossoms which fill the air with fragrance. 



Pennsylvania. Margaret Dale Brown. 



