CLIMBERS AND TWINERS. 
357 
be placed at the base of the shoots in October the root may 
survive the winter. 
Convolvulus CBindweed). — This and the genus Caly- 
stegia are very closely allied to each other, the difference being 
merely a simple botanical one. Nat. Ord. Convolvulaceae. C. 
arvensis (Small Bindweed), with white or pale pink flowers, is 
a troublesome native weed, but when planted in stone vases 
it makes a showy trailing plant. C. cneorum is a silvery-grey 
leaved species with pale rose flowers, and specially suited for 
trailing over the stones of sunny rockeries. C. mauritanicus 
(Blue Rock Bindweed) is a prostrate climbing plant from N. 
Africa, with blue flowers, a white throat and yellow anthers ; 
suitable for sunny rockeries. C. tricolor (Syn. C. minor), 
known as the Dwarf Convolvulus, is an annual, suited for 
massing in beds or on the margin of borders. The flowers 
are varied in colour. Sow seeds of this species in the borders 
in September or April, and thin out to 8 or i 2 in. apart later 
on. The other kinds may be increased by dividing the roots 
in spring. For the Tall Convolvulus, see Ipomasa. 
Cucurbita (Gourd). — The Gourds are members of the 
Cucumber family (Cucurbitaceae). They are annuals, requiring 
to be raised in heat and planted out in June in well-manured 
soil. Their chief attraction consists of their quaintly-formed 
fruits. For flower garden decoration they are used for covering 
trellises, running up poles, old tree-stumps, trailing over 
banks, and even for covering a temporary arbour. Given a 
rich soil with plenty of manure and water and a warm position 
they will grow rapidly. The best sorts for garden decoration 
are the Pear, Bottle, Orange, Custard, Fig, Cherry, and Hen’s 
Egg varieties. Most seedsmen supply them in collections. 
Decumaria. — D. tarbara, the only species worth grow- 
ing, is a hardy deciduous climber, with white fragrant, hy- 
drangea-like flowers borne in June. It belongs to the Saxifrage 
family (Saxifragaceae), and is a native of the United States. 
The shoots cling to the wall like those of the ivy, and are of 
more or less rambling growth. May also be employed in 
covering pergolas, tree-stumps, arbours, etc. Requires a warm, 
sheltered position and a rich loamy soil. Plant in autumn or 
spring. Increased by cuttings of half-ripened shoots in sandy 
soil in a cold frame in summer. 
Eccremocarpus. — A Chilian climber, bearing pretty 
scarlet or orange-red tubular flowers in racemes opposite the 
leaves. The only species to be described here belongs to the 
Bignonia order (Bignoniacese). In the southern and mild parts 
