December, 1909 
is so designed that vines will enhance 
its lines, plant Clematis paniculata at 
each of the extreme ends of the porch. 
It grows very rapidly and produces a 
drift of white star-like blossoms in 
August. The silky seed-vessels that 
succeed are almost as attractive as the 
blossoms of the clematis itself. It is one 
of the best vines for a small house. 
Bordering a Garden Walk. 
LEASE tell me the name of the vine 
usually called Traveler’s Joy. 
I want to make a border for a six-foot 
walk that runs straight through my lawn for 
a distance of 450 feet and have been thinking 
of using for the border hydrangea, phlox, 
iris, peonies, and Madonna lilies. Give me 
your opinion of the combination, and if 
you differ with me kindly give me the benefit 
of your suggestions. 
Traveler’s Joy is Clematis vitalba , 
the most vigorous climber of the genus. 
It is known also as Old Man’s Beard. 
You will notice from the sketch 
which I am sending you direct that the 
plants you name grade in height very 
nicely from the tallest to the lowest, 
so that they could be admirably ar¬ 
ranged to rise back from the pathway 
on either side and make a splendid show 
the entire length of the walk; and there 
is no reason why they should not be 
planted together and produce a very 
pleasing and effective display, as well as 
a continued succession of bloom through¬ 
out the greater part of the summer 
season. I would, however, make an 
exception in the case of the Madonna 
Lily; I would use another variety, such 
as the auratum, elegans, Krameri, speci- 
osum, or roseum. Another suggestion is 
that you plant the hydrangea and phlox 
in the background, and then, instead of 
three long rows of iris, peonies, and 
For bordering the garden walk, grade the plants 
selected from low to high away from the path 
HOUSE AND GARDEN [ 
hardy lilies, alternate them. This is, 
however, largely a matter of personal 
taste. 1 he hvdrangea should be planted 
the same depth as the earth stain 
on the stem will show that they were 
growing in the nursery before being 
dug; the phlox should be merely cov¬ 
ered, the peonies likewise, the iris about 
four inches deep, and the lilies about 
six inches deep. As soon as the ground 
begins to freeze it should be given a 
good covering of well rotted stable 
manure. In the spring apply as a 
fertilizer pulverized sheep manure, dig¬ 
ging it well in the ground. The hydran¬ 
geas will need pruning, the phlox, 
peonies and iris should be taken up and 
the roots divided and replanted about 
every third year. The hardy lilies 
may possibly disappear, unless you are 
most successful. I am sending you a 
schedule indicating the distance apart 
they should be planted; the spacing 
might be extended slightly, requiring 
fewer plants. 
Screening the Front Porch. 
H AVING seen your writings in House 
and Garden, I take the liberty of 
enclosing you herewith a sketch of my house 
and lot. My yard is terraced, being about 
The terraces are indicated by shaded lines 
three or four feet above the pavement. I 
would like your advice as to what kind of 
shrubbery to plant along the front, as it 
seems to me that something should be planted 
so as to, in a measure, break the exposed view 
that is given the porch from the sidewalk. I 
thought of moving a small spruce pine from the 
rear, but upon mature consideration decided 
not to do so, as in a few years these trees 
become ungainly. 
What occurs to me to be the best 
thing to do about your front yard is to 
put a hedge, California privet, across 
the entire front. Where your entrance 
is from the street walk the hedge might 
be extended inward the distance of your 
steps through the terrace. By using 
rooted plants and setting them in 
double rows, the rows and plants each 
six inches apart, you can get a good 
hedge in two years time. With the 
terrace indicated the hedge should be 
kept about two and one-half feet high. 
While your hedge is growing you could 
plant some annuals that grow from two 
to three feet high, just back of it, and 
they would shield your porch during 
the summer months when most used. 
225 
Put your fences and gates in good repair 
before winter sets in 
Fences and Gates 
See to it that the fences and gates 
about the place are in proper condition 
before winter sets in. There can be 
nothing that gives a place a more un¬ 
kempt, untidy appearance than fences 
tumbling down and gates ajar. These 
are things which first catch the atten¬ 
tion of a person approaching a home and 
a first impression is made by the exter¬ 
nal conditions. 
When to Sow Larkspur, 
1 HAVE read several times of late that 
perennial larkspur seeds should be sown 
in the fall in the open. Which time is better, 
then or in the spring? 
I prefer planting perennial larkspur 
( Delphinium ) seed in the open during 
October. Seed planted in the open in 
the spring hardly ever comes into bloom 
until the second year, while fall-planted 
seed should produce plants which bloom 
the first year. If the seeds are not 
planted in the fall sow in early spring 
indoors or in hotbeds and when the 
plants are about an inch high transplant 
to flats. About ten days before plant- 
out time remove the flats to the open 
to harden off the plants. These should 
bloom in July and August. 
Roman Hyacinths 
For early winter flowering, in the 
house or conservatory, there is nothing 
more desirable than the Roman hya¬ 
cinth. They are easily grown in pots, 
bloom very quickly and throw up great 
masses of lovely flowers almost before 
you can get other bulbs started. While 
so well adapted to house culture they 
are quite hardy and if planted in the 
open ground will make an elegant dis¬ 
play very early in the spring. It is not 
too late to put them in the ground 
south of Baltimore. 
