The Golden State: Where & How to Live, Secure, Visit, Enjoy and Thrive in California

Landscape Gardening

Wherever a permanent planting can be made, perennial climbing plants will usually be the more desirable. But for temporary and immediate effects, or to reinforce perennial climbers where they are too thin, or for window boxes, and similar purposes, the annual climbing plants are of great value. Some species of the latter may be started early in the house, and transplanted out of doors as soon as frost is past, so as to gain an earlier effect. The following brief list includes the most useful sorts.

WOODY PERENNIAL CLIMBERS

ACTINIDIA.—White flowers with purple centers. Still rare in this country, but destined to be popular.

AKEBIA QUINATA.—A dainty little climber from Japan, with small, five-parted leaves. Desirable where a large quantity of foliage is not required.

AMPELOPSIS.—The American ivy, Virginia Creeper, or Woodbine, A. quinqefolia, is one of the commonest, best and most widely useful of all climbers. The Japanese, or Boston ivy, A. tricuspidata, is excellent for covering stone or brick walls, particularly the latter. The Turquoise berry, A. heterophylla, is little known, but it is a very desirable species for general use.

ARISTOLOCHIA SIPHO, Dutchman's Pipe Vine.—A very hardy, vigorous climber, with large leaves. One of the best, especially in the northern states.

BIGNONIA, Trumpet creeper. A coarse, lusty vine suitable for heavy duty and massive effects. The foliage is good and the flowers pretty.

CELASTRUS SCANDENS Bittersweet.—One of the very best and hardiest climbers. To be recommended everywhere.

CLEMATIS, Virgin's Bower.—Several species and horticultural varieties of this group come up for consideration wherever climbers are wanted. The thrifty species with garlands of white flowers,—C. paniculata,C. flammula, C. virginiana, C. montana,—are the most useful. C. jackmani is always a favorite, for its large blue flowers, though it has nothing else to recommend it. Many other varieties bearing beautiful, showy flowers are to be had of the dealers.

ENGLISH IVY has many uses within its limited geographical range. The effects produced by its dull green foliage are altogether admirable.

EUONYMUS.—The varieties E. radicans and vegetus are excellent for growing against stone or brick walls. The latter is a stronger grower, with better foliage, and will usually be preferred.

Ficus PUMILA, the climbing fig, is a splendid species for use on brick or stone walls, or even on cement, in the region where it is sufficiently hardy, viz. Southern California, Louisiana and Florida.

GRAPE VINES of all sorts are excellent for landscape planting. The native American species are best of all, and of these the Fox grape, the Riverbank grape and the Summer grape are the best in the list, with a chance for Scuppernong- is the southern states. Grapes arc especially adapted to the planting- of pergolas.

HYDRANGEA.—The climbing Hydrangea, Schissophragma hydrangeoides, though slow-growing, makes a splendid showing when once established.

It is better than Hydrangea petiolaris, a similar plant with which it is often confused.

KUDZU VINE, Pueraria thunbergiana, is a most rampant grower and suitable for coarse work.