ON CLIMBING PLANTS. 
151 
greenhouse through the winter. Loasa aurantiaca is another 
half-hardy annual climber : the flowers are deep orange, margin- 
ated with red; it runs from five to ten feet—requires the usual 
treatment of such annuals. 
Thunbergia alata, alata alba, and aurantia will be found 
beautiful plants most suitable for the base of rock work, or for 
vases or baskets. In the latter situation, when mixed with 
Lobelia heterophylla, or gracilis, or any other small creeping 
plants of another colour, they are truly beautiful. The colour 
of the first is pale buff, the thorax dark purple or velvet; the 
second, as the trivial name implies, is pure white, with a throat 
resembling alata; the third, or aurantia, is a beautiful deep 
orange-colour, thorax the same as the others. They are readily 
propagated from cuttings during the summer months, requiring 
a gentle bottom heat; the plants are usually kept in the green¬ 
house through the winter, and there form highly ornamental 
subjects. We have selected these as the most common and, at 
the same time, the most useful, as our observations apply more 
particularly to small suburban gardens than to those under the 
care of professional gardeners, to whom, of course, what I 
have said is already known ; but even to the wise a hint is some¬ 
times useful. The plants we have mentioned will, in most cases, 
be found sufficient; additions may be made to them from those 
which are more tender and, consequently, rare, as may suit the 
cultivator’s own taste or convenience, as there are, many others 
of equal beauty, especially in convolvulacese, two of which we 
cannot pass over without a notice—indeed the order is redolent 
of beauty, even the common convolvulus major possesses many 
claims; but those we would particularly mention are Ipomea 
rubrocerulea and Learii, both of them bearing noble flowers : the 
first of a bright azure, the other a fine ultramarine; both extend 
ten or fifteen feet; but require a good situation. In a green¬ 
house they attain a much greater size and form handsome addi¬ 
tions ; they are both propagated by cuttings, which require 
a slight bottom heat. The first is also raised from seed which it 
perfects best under glass. 
In conclusion, I may remark thatnot asingle fence, or the trunk 
of a tree, or any other object capable of receiving or support¬ 
ing a plant, ought to be left uncovered, the free use of climbing 
plants imparting an inexpressible air of freedom and friendship 
wherever they appear. ^ - W. 
Fulham ; June 1842. 
