Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1899-05-30
CLIMBING VINES.
Their Uses on Houses and GROUNDS
The Rest Varieties.

(G. X. r., in New York Post)
The various uses to which climbing
and creeping vines may be put around
house and on various portions OF Its
grounds are not well understood, nor IS
their value fully appreciated. The various
ornamental trees, shrubs, and plants are
of course, indispensable in exterior deco
ration, but there are locations and situa-
tons where none of these can be so
effectively used as some Of the climbing
vines, even Of the more simple and com
mon kinds. Indeed, il the comparison be
permitted vines in exterior decoration are
as essential 10 the harmony OF the whole
as draperes are in interior arrangement
in both cases softness and airiness being
given TO what would otherwise be more
or less stiff and ungraceful.
Most OF the hardy classes and varieties
are really grown in ordinary garden soil,
added richness when needed being easily
given, while among the ANNALS and pc
rennials, several of the latter blooming
freely the first year from seed, are sew
eral classes that may be used freely
during the first year or two, while the
hardy sorts, planted for permanent
effects, are getting established. In the
shading OF verandas the concealment or
unsghtly views, the covering or low stone
walls. trellis. or dead tree-trunks, ana
DEAD walls OIL DlllulUbSt iDNAtAl0 NoAL NahN
the place OF vines.
Then there are the classes Of vines or
trailing plants peculiarly suited TO cul-
ture in boxes, baskets, or tubs for veran-
da decoration or when used on the outside
of a window usually a north window,
during the summer This last plan or
floral decoration is becoming very popu-
lar where ground space Is limited, the
w.ndow-box being fastened TO the house
by brackets so that the top of the box
is on a level with the window sill; in this
way the plants can be readily cared Tor
from the inside.
When it is practicable to set vines in
permanent locations it should always be
done, using for the purpose the hardy
vines and combining the use of ANIMALS 10
locations where quick results are wanted
and to temporarily fill the gap until the
hardy vines are we'll established.
1t is probable that among the hardy
towering vines the clematis, OF both
large and small Towering, are most popu-
lar, for they combine hardness with
beauty of foliage and blossom, the latter
being of attractive shades OF color and
borne in great profusion. The one OBJ
lection to the large towering class is the
tendency Of the vine not to leaf out low
down as it grows older, but this fault is
also common in other Towering vines,
such as the Wisteria and honeysuckles.
In some localities the large Towering
clematis also suffers from disease, but
this will not be apt to occur II the vine
is well fed. In cases where the growth
of foliage is scant near the bottom or the
vine, Towering plants may be set near
the base of the vine to conceal its bare
ness. although when this is done the
soil must be made very rich TO supply
food for both vine and plants.
The large-howered clematis are adapt
ed 10 use on Verandas or trellis, but are
attractive when trained over
pillar or dead tree-trunk, where the vines
may have full sunlight on all sides. In
such locations the blossoms are larger
and more profuse There have been many
failures with the varieties of large-hower-
ed clemats due wholly, in my opinion, to
the fact that the soil was not sufficiently
rich. Indeed, this Is the only requirement
of the vine beyond the general good care
all plant-lfe should have. The soil can
hardly be made too rich, and it should
be loosened TO the depth Of two feet, and
one should spade in and thoroughly mix
with the soil plenty of well-rotted stable
manure. making the whole as fine pos
sble. Do this before planting. After
setting the vine, which is mainly root
when received, shade for few days, CIV
ing plenty of water during the summer
as IL grows, and keep mulch or leaves
or straw about the base all of the first
summer. In the fall apply heavy mulch
of manure 10 remain all winter. Treated
in this manner failure can hardly result.
The vines may be set out at any time
during April. or even later, If the tops
have not started great deal. 1t is hard
10 advise a choice of varieties among the
score or more of desirable sorts, for it Is
largely matter of individual preference
as TO the color of the blossoms Many or
the varieties are double, but, as rule,
the single sorts will prove the most sat-
isfactory. In setting the half-dozen va
rietes here named, one will hardly go
far astray: Henry l., large creamy-white
Jackmanni, violet purple; Nine.
Baron Veillard. soft pink and one of the
best; Mad Andre, crimson and a profuse
boomer; Star OF India, red, with darker
red and distinct bars; Gypsy Queen, rich
dark purple. Towering late in the season.
OF the smaller Powered varieties, Gle
mats paniculata is decidedly the best
The vine grows rapidly and vigorously
and Is free from the attacks Of disease or
insects. The blossoms are borne in long
panicles in enormous quantities and are
white and exceedingly fragrant The
season Of the bloom is from the middle
to the last of August; the blossoms re-
naming for month and are followed by
heads of fruit, with long, silvery pendants,
peculiar, but most attractive. For so
rapid a grower the foliage Is singularly
delicate and handsome, remaining fresh
and green until well into cold weather
For general planting in almost any situa-
ton where a towering vine may be used,
the Clematis paniculata can be planted
with great satisfaction.
Next in popularity to the clematis.
among towering vines OF the hardy
classes are the honeysuckles and wiste-
rias. The habit of growth OF the former
is delicate, the blossoms varying in color
with the variety. Halls evergreen
Gonicera Halliana) has deep
green foliage. nearly evergreen, with fra
grant blossoms OF yellow and white from
midsummer until frost, borne In great pro-
fusion The variety Heckrotti is not very
well known, but should be In every vine
- Ill