BROOKLYN BOTANIC GARDEN 
LEAFLETS 
THE BROOKLYN INSTITUTE OF ARTS AND SCIENCES 
Series II Brooklyn, N. Y., May 6, 1914 Number 4 
ORNAMENTAL CLIMBERS 
It is not necessary to dwell upon the value of ornamental climb- 
ing plants as adjuncts to the house and 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 cover- 
ing unsightly objects. 
In this Leaflet it is proposed to give cultural directions which 
it is hoped, will be of service to those who desire to grow climb- 
ing plants, together with a selection and short description of the 
most suitable subjects. 
If the best results are to be obtained it will be necessary 
thoroughly to prepare the ground before planting. If your 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 decayed manure. If, on the other hand, the 
ground consists mainly of bricks, and rubbish generally, it should 
be excavated to a depth of two feet and filled in with good soil. 
If this is not practicable, the next best thing to do will be to re- 
move the bricks and as much of the rubbish as possible, and then 
work in a liberal supply of well decayed manure. It will be neces- 
sary, however, to provide a sufficient amount of fine earth for the 
purpose of filling around and covering the roots of the plant. 
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 per- 
ennial nature — the fall is the best time to plant the deciduous 
ones, and the spring for the evergreen kinds, but they may all be 
planted in the spring if necessity demands it. 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 thoroughly established. The planting of the annual kinds is 
done in the spring, either with plants raised in the greenhouse, or 
from seed sown where the plants are to remain. 
