The NEW CLEMATIS— 
objects of rare beauty 
The clematis, the favour’d flower 
Which boasts the name of virgin-bower.” 
—Sir Watrter Scorr. 
DES no climbing plant is better known than Clematis paniculata, but 
not one gardener in a hundred has ever seen some of the magnificent 
hybrid species which have been growing in a New York garden for nearly 
forty years. New treasures are ever being sought by garden lovers, for it is 
the novel and the unusual feature that every garden enthusiast strives to 
acquire. The large-flowering Clematis offers a new field of interest to the 
amateur. Not only are these flowers striking in color and size, but they 
have a sturdiness of growth, coupled with a delicacy of form, which makes 
them objects of rare beauty. 
The name Clematis had its origin in Greek and signifies a climbing plant. 
Its botanical relationship connects it with the anemone and the buttercup, 
and the Clematis will one day be as familiar as are many of the plants of the 
ranunculus family. Since practically all of the large-flowering Clematis had 
their origin in Europe and Asia, they have been difficult to obtain in America. 
However, as early as 1838, C. florida was exhibited at a Massachusetts Horti- 
cultural Society meeting. By 1890, Parsons’ Nursery, on Long Island, had 
obtained 73 varieties which were offered to the public. With the turn of the 
90’s came a revival of interest in naturalistic gardening, and the choice 
Clematis was somewhat neglected. Preceding the war many varieties were 
listed, but Ernest Wilson remarked, in 1928, that, for the most part, named 
varieties of Clematis were difficult to procure. No doubt Plant Quarantine 
37 has retarded the development of interest in Clematis in America. Never- 
theless, some 40 desirable varieties of Clematis are now available, and it 
will be observed that culture and care are very simple. 
A partially shaded location is ideal. When planted in full sun, the lower 
stems and roots should be shaded by small plants, since it is essential to keep 
the Clematis roots cool and moist. A summer mulch of peat moss or spent 
hops may be used to advantage. 
Like many garden plants, Clematis thrives best in a rich garden loam of 
rather light texture. Sand and peat moss may be added to a heavy soil to 
6 JAIMIE S\GIs. #G) E20) RiG Baw & ise ON 
