Seasonable Notes on Ornamental Climbers 
IT is not necessary to dwell upon the value of orna- 
mental climbing plants as adjuncts to the house nd 
garden ; they are valuable not only on account of 
their intrinsic beauty, but also because of the possibility 
of employing them as beautiful and effective porch 
screens, and for their utility as a means of shutting off 
and covering unsightly objects. 
If the best results are to be obtained it will be neces- 
sary thoroughly to prepare the ground before planting. 
If vour soil is naturally good, all that is necessary will 
be to break it up to a depth of about eighteen inches, 
afterwards digging in three or four inches of well de- 
cayed manure. 
The best time of the year to plant depends upon the 
kinds to be planted. As a general rule — referring to 
those vines of a perennial nature — the fall is the best time 
to plant the deciduous ones, and the spring for the ever- 
green kinds. Care should be taken when planting to 
make the soil firm around the roots of the plants, and 
watering must not be neglected until the plants are thor- 
oughly established. 
\nother point to bear in mind is the necessity of select- 
ing plants that are suited to the position assigned them. 
For instance, do not place a shade loving plant where it 
will receive full sunshine, or vice versa; neither should a 
rampant growing plant be placed where there is no room 
for it to attain its full development. 
In the list of perennial plants following, their prefer- 
ences for sun or shade will be indicated, also the nature 
and extent of their growth. This list must not be taken 
as being in any way an exhaustive one; it is merely an 
attempt to select a few of the more desirable subjects. 
The Silver Vine (Actinidia arguta) is a native of 
Japan ; it produces white flowers in early summer, but is 
most valuable for its beautiful, dark green, shining foli- 
age. It is a vigorous grower, doing well in sun or partial 
shade, and is suitable for porch pillars. 
Ampelopsis. — This genus contains perhaps the most 
valuable of all climbers for quickly covering walls of any 
kind, namely, Ampelopsis Veitchii, the Boston ivy ; Pse- 
dera quinquefolia, the Virginia creeper, is also a well 
known and valuable plant ; A. Lowii is a plant similar to 
the Boston ivy, but has more deeply cut leaves and is not 
such a vigorous grower. All of the Ampelopsis grow best 
in full sun. though they also thrive in partial shade. 
The Dutchman's Pipe (Aristolochia sipho). — There is 
a rank and vigorous grower, suitable for covering arbors, 
or for any position where a mass of foliage is quickly de- 
sired. It produces its oddly shaped and rather incon- 
spicuous flowers in May and June. It is not particular 
as to location, growing in sun or shade. 
The Trumpet Vine ( Tecoma radicans) is a desirable 
plant. The dark red flowers are produced in great abun- 
dance during the summer. It is rather slow growing and 
prefers a sunny position. 
Clematis. — In order to get the various species and va- 
rieties of Clematis to give the best results, it is necessary 
to give a little extra care to their cultivation, especially 
in the case of the large flowered varieties. They prefer 
a rich deep sandy soil, which must lie well drained, and 
it is advisable to incorporate a few handfuls of slaked 
lime with the soil prior to planting. They succeed best 
in a semi-shaded situation. Some of the best of the large 
flowered kinds are: "Miss Bateman," white; "Duchess 
of Edinburgh," double white; "Jackmanni," royal purple; 
and "Mme. Edouard Andre," rich crimson. They flower 
in late spring and summer, and should be pruned back 
severely in the fall in order that thev may produce strong 
young growth the following spring. 
The Mountain Clematis ( Clematis montana) produces 
immense quantities of white flowers in late spring. C. 
montana rubens is a red flowered variety. C. paniculata, 
the Japanese Virgin's Bower, flowers in July and Au- 
gust. C. virginiana, a beautiful native plant, blossoms 
from June to September. Very little pruning is needed 
in the case of these last mentioned varieties ; all that is 
necessary is to cut out the weak and straggling wood. 
The large flowered varieties of Clematis are admirably 
suited for the embellishment of porch pillars, while the 
other varieties mentioned, being of stronger growth, are 
better suited for covering arbors, etc., or for screening 
unsightly objects. 
Euonymus radicans is an evergreen plant well adapted 
for covering low walls, to which it clings by means of 
adventitious roots. It has beautiful, dark green leaves 
and is a desirable plant, especially for shadv situations. 
There are varieties having variegated foliage which are 
preferred by some people. 
Lathyrus latifolius is the everlasting pea. It is herba- 
ceous in character and grows from six to eight feet in 
height. It produces an abundance of blossoms in Au- 
gust. In the type plant the flowers are rosy red in color, 
but there is also a white variety. These plants prefer a 
sunny position. 
Lonicera. — The hone) suckles are especially desired 
when a porch screen is desired, on account of the de- 
licious fragrance emitted by them. Lonicera Halleana is 
perhaps the best for this purpose. It is of strong growth, 
almost evergreen, and produces an abundance of white 
flowers, changing to yellow, all through the summer. L. 
sempervirens, the coral trumpet, is not fragrant, but the 
scarlet flowers produced in spring and summer are very 
pleasing. The honeysuckles grow well in sun or partial 
shade. 
The Kudzu Vine ( Pueraria Thunbergiana). — When a 
particularly rampant growth is required this is the vine 
to plant. It is a remarkably rapid and vigorous grower 
and is not particular as to soil or location. It bears 
purple pea shaped blossoms in late summer. 
"Crimson Glory Vine" (Vitis Coignettiae). — This vine 
produces wonderful effects in the fall by reason of the 
brilliant coloring taken on by its foliage. Perhaps it ap- 
pears to best effect when allowed to ramble at will 
amongst the branches of an old tree. Its coloring is in- 
describably gorgeous, and it should be planted by those 
who have a partiality for "fall tints." 
The Chinese Wistaria (Wistaria sinensis) is a plant 
well adapted for sunny situations, and produces its pani- 
cles of blue flowers in May or June. Sometimes a second 
crop is obtained in August. The Wistarias live to a great 
age and well repay liberal treatment in the matter of 
manure. They should be pruned in summer by cutting 
back the long, straggling shoots, unless it is desired to 
extend the plant ; in this case, a few of the strongest 
shoots should be left for the purpose. Wistario multijuga 
is the Japanese Wistaria, and is reputed to produce 
panicles of bloom three feet in length. — Brooklyn Botanic 
Garden. 
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