360 
THE FLOWER GARDEN, 
grass fails to grow ivy should be tried. Young plants should 
be put in a foot or so apart in April, and the shoots kept pegged 
down close to the surface. Before planting fork some rotten 
manure into the soil. Ivy also does well as an edging to shady 
borders. Plant in the same way as advised for under trees. Each 
year, in April, trim off the old leaves fairly close and then the 
foliage will grow more densely. Ivies are increased by cuttings of 
shoots 6in. or so long, inserted in ordinary soil in a shady 
border in autumn. The variegated sorts would root more 
surely in pots of sandy soil in a shady cold frame. Tree 
ivies are increased by grafting on the Irish ivy in spring. 
Humulus (Hop). — Most people know the Common Hop 
(H. lupulus) as a farm plant only, but it is also occasionally 
grown in gardens for covering archways, tree-trunks, walls, 
arbours, etc. It has long rough, annual stems and leaves, and 
bears its panicles of green scaly flowers in early autumn. It 
loves a deep, moist rich soil and a sunny position, and being 
a vigorous grower will soon cover a large space. The roots 
may be planted in autumn or spring. There is also an annual 
species named H. japonicus, a native of Japan, and a variegated 
form of it named foliis variegatis with green and yellow foliage. 
Both grow 15 to 20ft. high. They are suitable for clothing 
fences, arches, trellises and pergolas quickly in summer. A 
warm position is desirable. Sow seeds in heat in March and 
plant out in May. There are, as in the case of the Common 
Hop, male and female plants, but their chief attraction lies in 
the foliage. The stems of the Common Hop require to be cut 
down to the ground in autumn. 
Ipomsea (Morning Glory). — Half-hardy and hardy annual 
climbers, natives of Tropical America, and Mexico, and mem- 
bers of the Convolvulus order (Convolvulaceae). I. hederacea 
grows 8 to 10ft. high, has ivy-like leaves and blue flowers. Of 
this species there are several varieties, namely, grandiflora, 
light blue ; superba, blue and white ; atroviolaceae, violet and 
white ; and limbata, rosy-purple and white. In fact, other sorts 
will be found in many seed lists. I. purpurea (also known as 
Convolvulus major) grows 8 to 10ft. high, has heart-shaped 
leaves, and bears purple flowers. There are several pretty 
forms of it, as alba, white; atropurpurea, dark purple; Bur- 
ridgei, crimson ; Dicksoni, blue ; and rosea, pink. Another 
pretty species is I. versicolor, also known as Mina lobata. 
This has pale green foliage and red and yellow flowers borne in 
one sided racemes. It grows 5 to 6ft. high or more. ; Other 
interesting species are I. Quamoclit, growing 6ft. high and 
bearing crimson flowers ; and rubro-casrulea, bearing red 
flowers. All the foregoing kinds require to be grown in 
