INTRODUCTION 
This booklet follows the style of the first three of the 
series, of which No. i described and illustrated Ten Flower- 
ing Shrubs, No. 2 Ten Flowering Trees and No. 3 Ten 
Orchids. 
A note on the Structure of Flowers and Fruits was printed 
in Nos. 1 and 2. 
The methods of planting the climbers illustrated here 
are substantially the same as those described for trees in 
booklet No. 2, but as climbers are not self supporting, 
except for those such as Congea and Bougainvillea which 
are sprawlers and which may be trained into bushes, some 
kind of support is necessary. 
A “climber” is often defined as a plant which attaches 
itself to a support by tendrils, roots or other special organs, 
and “twiners” those which twist round the support, but 
usually the term climber covers both kinds. 
Climbers add greatly to the attractiveness of a garden, 
especially when trained over arbours, arches or pergolas. 
Some of the larger ones may be used to cover old or un- 
sightly trees, while the lighter and more herbaceous kinds 
are useful as screens or fences. If screens or fences are too 
high, more than about ^ or 6 feet, the plants tend to thin 
out at the base and become unsightly, flowering only at the 
top of the support where they cannot be properly seen. 
The same applies to pergolas. Most woody climbers flower 
only when they reach the top of the pergola and begin to 
spread horizontally. Hence the pergola should be so sited 
that it can be looked down upon from above. 
M. R. HENDERSON, 
Director , Botanic Gardens , 
I9£i. Singapore. 
