VINES THAT DIFFER FOR DIFFERENT PLACES 
FLETCHER STEELE 
Only Studious Care in the Selection, Planting and Training 
of this Material Will Result in Effects That Are Desirable 
^INDISPENSABLE as they are, vines should be strictly 
disciplined in most places and never allowed to over- 
i yp- run ar *d conceal architecture. Rather their function is 
fi to accentuate and adorn. And so in general it may be 
said that where architectural support exists it must be exposed 
and plainly realized; and that therefore it is a mistake to use a 
thick-growing vine that may entirely cover and hide it, against 
such a structure. Even where a heavy vine is appropriate — 
as on unbroken surfaces of stone or brick — enough of the wall to 
explain the whole construction should always remain uncovered. 
But in the garden or wider landscape where stiff archi- 
tectural line and surface are not wanted, but rather a mass of 
foliage, the more rampant the vine very often, the better. The 
photographs will help us to study the question. First is the 
entrance of an old Colonial brick house with a drapery of 
Wisteria, like fine lace on an old-fashioned lady’s fine silk gown. 
Nothing is concealed by this. The delicate mouldings of the 
entablature, the strong shutters, the surface of the old brick- 
work, all are revealed — yet softened by the graceful vine. And 
the airy tassels of clustered flowers give a touch of elegant, 
subdued festivity, while wall, doorway and windows are brought 
into unity by the over-all tracery of stems and blossoms and the 
shadows these cast. Further, all retain their character and in- 
dividuality as would not be the case if a heavier vine were used. 
Wisteria in such a place is indeed completely satisfactory, for it 
adorns but never conceals architecture. 
N EXT is a modern house — a house with porch supports, 
walls, and foundations literally smothered in Ivy. This 
is further advancing on the shingled walls higher up as well. 
The vine is a fine specimen ; but little can be said here for it as 
decoration, for so completely does it cover and conceal all that 
should not be concealed that the second story of the house seems 
to rest upon the unsubstantial mass of leaves. Below, the 
architectural lines are altogether lost; above, they stand out 
sharp and uncompromising. And though everything is well 
ORIENTAL OPULENCE CURIOUSLY AFFILIATED WITH CHASTE SIMPLICITY 
No plant is perhaps more closely associated in the minds of most persons with Colonial days than the Wisteria of China (Wisteria sinensis) yet it 
was unknown to the western world prior to 1816 and, though the finest of all vines in many ways, is therefore never a relic of really old gardens 
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