Evening star., 1940-06-01

watering and feeding do much to s
the wall of green for which they
1t can be called one, is the nastur-
tium, which flowers best if planted
in poor soil. but makes splendid
growth and foliage when fed and
cared for
Nearly all of the climbers consid-
cred under the head of rapid grow
ing require some sort of support.
Many gardeners use common cotton
twine for the support of such climb
ers as the morning glory, balloon
vine, hyacinth-bean, mock-cucum-
Der, gourds, scarlet runner bean,
etc. Light chicken wire is useful
for this purpose and is not very ex-
pensive. A 2-foot width is easily
handled and with care will last for
several years. 1t is not particularly
conspicuous when bare and when
covered does not show Most vines
will Chamber up over it without help,
while most of them require some
guidance to climb up cord or bare
wire. Wooden trellises are attractive
and help to make yard appear neat
and trim. Unless kept painted, how
ever, they tend to rot rather quickly
and they are not so easily taken
down and put away as wire, which
may be rolled up.
Some of the rapid-growing climb
ers are comparatively free from in
sects and diseases, while others, such
as the nasturtium, are troubled with
some particular insect or plant dis
ease.
Choice Depends
On Needs.
The choice of climbing vine
should depend in large measure
upon the space to be covered,
whether it is in sun or shade, and
its relative freedom from diseases
and insect pests. If the planting is
to be permanent, one should give
still more thought to the habit of
growth, the kind of foliage, flowers,
and to hardness. Many gardeners
grow the cup and saucer vine Co.
baea scandens) as an annual, al
though in the South it is treated as
q perennial
In any discussion of rapid-growing
vines. I suppose one should start
with the morning glories Upomoea)
for they are widely grown and used.
OF moderate growth, the newer
variety, heavenly blue, is not as
strong growing as the older vari-
cites, but it will under most situa-
ton grow to height of Is feet.
The variety Scarlet O'Hara is new
color in the morning-glory family
and is attracting much attention.
Plant the seeds where they are to
grow or else in pots from which
they may be transplanted without
severe shock. The seed should be
soaked in warm water for an hour
or two before planting to hasten
termination.
The flowers of the morning-glory
last but a day. but they are borne
in such profusion that their short
life is unnoticed. They make a
grand showing in the early morning
ana neIlC6 lfleiT IldiIlc-
The cup-and-saucer vine (Cobaea
scandens) is in many ways one Of
the best of the rapid-growing vines.
It will easily attain height OF 80
feet in a season. and the large bell
shaped flowers are exceedingly at
tractive. They come in shades OF
pink to purple and in white. While
It is wiser to start the seeds indoors
in small pots, the seed may be sown
out of doors as soon as danger Of
frost has passed. The large seeds
should be pressed into the soil
edgewise as they germinate very
poorly when lying fat. OF the many
annual climbers the graceful foliage
of this one makes it especially de-
sirable, although the flowers and the
plum shaped fruits greatly add to
its value.
The cup-and-saucer vine likes
sun and moisture and well repays
care with its strong growth. Under
most conditions it will make 30
foot growth and when given care
will often make 50-foot growth.
The hyacinth-bean tDolichos) is
q free Towering annual that is
available in number of named
varieties. Growing to 10 feet. it is
effectively used for low screen on
a fence or trellis. The flowers which
come in colors ranging from snow
white to purple are pea-shaped.
This vine is seldom troubled by in
sect pests.
Gourds Are Unusual
And Charming.
Gourds are popular nowadays and
their vines may be trained on trel-
lises and fences where they will
make useful screen as well as
provide a crop of gourds Of various
shapes and colors The vines are
troubled with insects, which may be