Evening star., 1942-10-17

pointed leaves that somewhat re-
semble the English ivy. They are
shiny, and when young are bronzy
red; in the fall they are bright red
and make a brilliant contribution
to the autumn landscape. Some gar
deners prefer the Boston ivy to the
English ivy because of its rapid
growth. However, that may Be due
to the care given at planting time.
The climbing hydrangeas, in this
area, seem to be more or less horti-
cultural curiosities. They have not
been planted widely enough to test
their value. The few that have
been planted seem to do best in
partial shade and are comparatively
slow growers.
English Ivies
Recommended.
There are considerable number
OF the English ivies that may be
used for covering walls. The So
called English ivy is in most cases
the Irish ivy (Hedra helix, v. hiber-
nica), although we do occasionally
find true English ivy (H. helix
According to Alfred Bates, a we'll
known authority on ivy culture, the
true English ivy is seldom to be
bought. Most of the ivies offered
for sale are forms Of Hedra helix,
variety hibernica.
The true English ivy is slower
growing than H. hibernica, holds
better to concrete and pressed brick,
has smaller leaf, which is thinner
and less waxy in texture, Is deeper
lobed and has a gray, instead of
yellowish cast. However, the ques-
ton of size and color of leaf Is apt
to be confusing since there are so
many horticultural forms being ad-
vertised-the size and form of the
leaf varies in each. OF recent years
the branching types have been given
prominence, although they are of
more interest in pot culture.
There are two important con-
siderations in planting vines to
climb upon the wall of a building.
The first is that in such a position
the roots have one-sided feeding
area. Usually the soil close to the
foundation contains a considerable
amount of trash-bricks, plaster,
wood scraps, etc. These should be
removed and replaced with a soil
mixture that has been we'll enriched
with compost and well-rotted
manure. Secondly, plants set close
to a foundation are not in a IA
vorable location to receive the
normal rainfall. To compensate for
this they should be kept we'll
watered until such time as they are
established. This is especially true
where there are overhanging caves.
Prune Wisely for
Best Results.
Most climbers. like shrubs. benefit
greatly from judicious pruning. AS
the sprays become overextended
they should be pruned. Also, young
plants should be cut back to en-
couraging branching. All climbers
should be kept from covering WIN
doWs and desirable ornamental
features of the building. Rampant
growth does not add to the appear
ance of the building, but neat regu-
lated growth does.
All climbers need assistance in
getting started up a wall. While
the aerial rootlets, or suction cups
as some call them, will securely
anchor them when once ablished,
the branches must be held in place
until they develop. This anchoring
of branches may be done in several
ways. There are various kinds of
rails that may be driven into the
cracks between the mortar and the
bricks, or one may use some OF the
cements that hold wire clips to the
wall. Tape is sometimes recon-
mended but it does not work as
we'll as is desired.
The support for the 'twiners"
may be woven wire chicken wire
is as good as any. plain wire
stretched between uprights or from
a frame work, or wooden lattice.