June, 1920 
61 
WINDOW BOXES AND VERANDA VINES 
Their Place in the Architectural 
Scheme of the House and How 
They Can Be Made to Fill It — 
Good Plants to Use 
FLORENCE SPRINC 
M odern landscape gardening has come 
to concern itself more and more with 
the immediate setting of the house, emjjhasiz- 
ing the truth that home sentiment as well as 
beauty is augmented by the protective and 
friendly element of closely planted and clus¬ 
tering vines, shrubs and flowers. Bare under¬ 
pinnings, blank walls and austere piazzas are 
frowned upon, and horticultural beauty called 
to our assistance in completing and extending 
architectural effects. 
Vines to Use 
The vines which are used for this purpose 
are many and beautiful. For foundations, 
plaster and stone work, nothing is more satis¬ 
factory than Ampelopsis Veitchii, of a tender 
and beautiful green during spring and sum¬ 
mer and gloriously crimsoned in the fall. 
Evonymus, a less ambitious climber, is also 
most satisfactor}', especially for foundation 
covering; it lacks the gorgeous autumnal hues 
of the ampelopsis, but has the advantage of 
being evergreen. The English ivy, in locali¬ 
ties where it can winter safely, is another good 
vine; and few things are better than the old- 
fashioned woodbine. Hall’s honeysuckle, de¬ 
lightfully fragrant; clematis, both paniculate 
and the wild variety; wistaria; trumpet creep¬ 
er; and Dutchman’s pipe, for places where 
deep shade is required, are other favorites. 
Climbing roses, of course, are the ejueens of 
all, and may be grown where space and con¬ 
ditions allow. 
Among the best annual vines—invaluable 
A good example of a well-filled window 
box presenting sufficient variety of plant 
color and form. Vmcas and pink petunias 
Window and Porch Boxes 
Window and piazza boxes must be carefully 
])lanned with reference to size, soil, etc. It 
goes without saying that their color (green 
is usually the best) and that of the flowers 
])lanted in them should harmonize with the 
tones of the house exterior and the porch fur¬ 
nishings. Do not plan too small a box, lest 
evaporation Ije too rapid—8" to 10" wdde and 
deep is the minimum. Put a layer of some 
{Continued on page 66) 
Another geranium and vinca effect, with 
sweet alyssum to fill in here and there. 
The box is of white painted wood, set flush 
with the pillars 
while perennials are getting started—are 
Coba’u scandens, with its effective dark purple 
dowers, lovely foliage and elaborate tendrils. 
I am also faithful to the old-fashioned morn¬ 
ing glory (the Japanese variety is enchanting), 
and can never refrain from planting a screen 
of it at one end of our breakfast porch; its 
many-hued, ethereal bells are enchanting in 
the early morning light. We also use running 
nasturtiums freely among our perennial vines 
to afford variety and color. 
Eor foundation planting there are all the 
beautiful varieties of new and old evergreens, 
and an increasing number of shrubs and 
shrubby perennials which dourish where con¬ 
ditions are favorable. .4 mass of ferns (Os¬ 
trich j)lume and Royal are among the best) 
will gratefully dll some shady corner; edge 
them with a border of Viola cucullata to com¬ 
plete their effect. 
few specidc suggestions for these close- 
to-the-house beds are: a gorgeous mass of 
marigolds in some hot, sunny corner; a bulb 
bed, with a background of vines, to be dlled 
in later with annuals; and a row of rosy- 
flowered cosmos (always get the “summer” 
variety) for a piazza edge. 
Pink geraniums furnish color and massed 
leafage to this stucco house veranda box. 
In delicate contrast to them is the trailing 
English ivy 
