THE GROWING OF THE ORNAMENTAL PLANTS
THE CLASSES OF PLANTS, AND
LISTS - Continued
Shrubs for the South.
Many of the shrubs in the preceding catalogue are also well adapted to
the southeastern states. The following brief list includes some of the
most recommendable kinds for the region south of Washington, although
some of them are hardy farther North. The asterisk * denotes that the
plant is native to this country.
The crape myrtle (Lagerstrœmia Indica) is to the South what the lilac
is to the North, a standard dooryard shrub; produces handsome red (or
blush or white) flowers all summer; 8-12 feet.
Reliable deciduous shrubs for the South are: althea, Hibiscus
Syriacus, in many forms; Hibiscus Rosa-Sinensis; Azalea
calendulacea,* mollis, and the Ghent azalea (A. Pontica); blue
spirea, Caryopteris Mastacanihus; European forms of ceanothus; French
mulberry, Callicarpa Americana*; calycanthus*; flowering willow,
Chilopsis linearis*; fringe, Chionanthus Vir ginica*; white
alder, Clethra alnifolia*; corchorus, Kerria Japonica; deutzias,
of several kinds; goumi, Elœagnus longipes; pearl bush, Exochorda
grandiflora; Japan quince, Cydonia Japonica; golden-bell, Forsythia
viridissima; broom, Spartium junceum; hydrangeas, including H.
Otaksa, grown under cover in the North; Jasminum nudiflorum; bush
honey suckles; mock orange, Philadelphus coronarius and
grandiflorus*; pomegranate; white kerria, Rhodotypos kerrioides;
smoke tree, Rhus Cotinus; rose locust, Robinia hispida*; spireas
of several kinds; Stuartia pentagyna*; snowberry, Symphoricarpos
racemosus*; lilacs of many kinds; viburnums of several species,
including the European and Japanese snowballs; weigelas of the various
kinds; chaste-tree, Vitex Agnus-Castus; Thunberg's barberry; red
pepper, Capsicum frutescens; Plumbago Capensis; poinsettia.
A large number of broad-leaved evergreen shrubs thrive in the South,
such as: fetter bush, Andromeda floribunda*; some of the palms, as
palmettoes* and chamærops; cycas and zamia* far South; Abelia
grandiflora; strawberry tree, Arbutus Unedo; ardisias and aucubas,
both grown under glass in the North; azaleas and rhododendrons (not only
R. Catawbiense* but R. maximum* R, Ponticum, and the garden
forms); Kalmia latifolia*; Berberis Japonica and mahonia*; box;
Cleyera Japonica; cotoneasters and pyracantha; eleagnus of the types
grown under glass in the North; gardenias; euonymus*; hollies*;
anise-tree, Illicium anisatum; cherry laurels, Prunus or
Laurocerasus of several species; mock orange (of the South), Prunus
Caroliniana* useful for hedges; true laurel or bay-tree, Laurus
nobilis; privets of several species; Citrus trifoliata, specially
desirable for hedges; oleanders; magnolias*; myrtle, Myrtus communis;
Osmanthus (Olea) fragrans, a greenhouse shrub North; Osmanthus
Aquifolium*; butcher's broom, Ruscus aculeatus; phillyreas*;
Pittosporum Tobira; shrubby yuccas*; Viburnum Tinus and others;
and the camellia in many forms.
[Illustration XIV: Virginia creeper screen, on an old fence, with
wall-flowers and hollyhocks in front.]
6. CLIMBING PLANTS
Vines do not differ particularly in their culture from other herbs and
shrubs, except as they require that supports be provided; and, as they
overtop other plants, they demand little room on the ground, and they
may therefore be grown in narrow or unused spaces along fences
and walls.
In respect to the modes of climbing, vines may be thrown into three
groups,--those that twine about the support; those that climb by means
of special organs, as tendrils, roots, leaf*stalks; those that neither
twine nor have special organs but that scramble over the support, as the
climbing roses and the brambles. One must recognize the mode of climbing
before undertaking the cultivation of any vine.
Vines may also be grouped into annuals, both tender (as morning-glory)
and hardy (as sweet pea); biennials, as adlumia, which are treated
practically as annuals, being sown each year for bloom the next year;
herbaceous perennials, the tops dying each fall down to a persisting
root, as cinnamon vine and madeira vine; woody perennials (shrubs), the
tops remaining alive, as Virginia creeper, grape, and wistaria.
There is scarcely a garden in which climbing plants may not be used to
advantage. Sometimes it may be to conceal obtrusive objects, again to
relieve the monotony of rigid lines. They may also be used to run over
the ground and to conceal its nakedness where other plants could not
succeed. The shrubby kinds are often useful about the borders of clumps
of trees and shrubbery, to slope the foliage down to the grass, and to
soften or erase lines in the landscape.
In the South and in California, great use is made of vines, not only on
fences but on houses and arbors. In warm countries, vines give character
to bungalows, pergolas, and other individual forms of architecture.
If it is desired that the vines climb high, the soil should be fertile;
but high climbing in annual plants (as in sweet peas) may be at the
expense of bloom.
The use of vines for screens and pillar decorations has increased in
recent years until now they may be seen in nearly all grounds. The
tendency has been towards using the hardy vines, of which the
ampelopsis, or Virginia creeper, is one of the most common. This is a
very rapid grower, and lends itself to training more readily than many
others. The Japan ampelopsis (A. tricuspidata or Veitchii) is a good
clinging vine, growing very rapidly when once established, and
brilliantly colored after the first fall frosts. It clings closer than
the other, but is not so hardy. Either of these may be grown from
cuttings or division of the plants.
Two recommendable woody twiners of recent distribution are the actinidia
and the akebia, both from Japan. They are perfectly hardy, and are rapid
growers. The former has large thick glossy leaves, not affected by
insects or disease, growing thickly along the stem and branches, making
a perfect thatch. It blooms in June. The flowers, which are white with a
purple center, are borne in clusters, followed by round or longish
edible fruits. The akebia has very neat-cut foliage, quaint purple
flowers, and often bears ornamental fruit.
Of the tender vines, the nasturtiums and ipomeas and morning-glories are
the most common in the North, while the adlumia, balloon vine, passion
vine, gourds, and others, are frequently used. One of the best of recent
introduction is the annual hop, especially the variegated variety. This
is a very rapid-growing vine, seeding itself each year, and needing
little care. The climbing geraniums (Pelargonium peltatum and its
derivatives) are much used in California. All the tender vines should be
planted after danger of frost is past.
So many good vines are now on the market that one may grow a wide
variety for many uses. The home gardener should keep his eyes open for
the wild vines of his neighborhood and add the best of them to his
collection. Most of these natives are worthy of cultivation. Even the
poison ivy makes a very satisfactory cover for rough and inaccessible
places in the wild, and its autumn color is very attractive; but of
course its cultivation cannot be recommended.
Vines that cling closely to walls of buildings are Virginia creeper (one
form does not cling well), Boston or Japanese ivy (Ampelopsis
tricuspidata; also A. Lowii, with smaller foliage), English ivy,
euonymus (E. radicans and the var. variegata), and Ficus repens
far south; others that cling less closely are trumpet creeper, and
climbing hydrangea (Schizophragma hydrangeoides).
Vines for trailing, or covering the ground, are periwinkle (Vinca),
herniaria, moneywort (Lysimachia nummularia), ground-ivy (Nepeta
Glechoma), Rosa Wichuraiana, species of native greenbrier or smilax
(not the so-called smilax of florists), Rubus laciniatus, dewberries,
and also others that usually are not classed as vines. In the South,
Japanese honeysuckle and Cherokee rose perform this function
extensively. In California, species of mesembryanthemum (herbaceous) are
extensively used as ground covers on banks. Page 86.
For quickly covering brush and rough places, the many kinds of gourds
may be used; also pumpkins and squashes, watermelons, Cucumis
fœtidissima, wild cucumbers (Echinocystis lobata and Sicyos
angulata), nasturtiums, and other vigorous annuals. Many of the woody
perennials may be used for such purposes, but usually these places are
only temporary.
For arbors, strong woody vines are desired. Grapes are excellent; in the
South the muscadine and scuppernong grapes are adaptable to this purpose
(Plate XV). Actinidia and wistaria are also used. Akebia, dutchman's
pipe, trumpet creeper, clematis, honeysuckles, may be suggested. Roses
are much used in warm climates.
For covering porches, the standard vine in the North is Virginia
creeper. Grapes are admirable, particularly some of the wild ones. Japan
honeysuckle is much used; and it has the advantage of holding its
foliage well into the winter, or even all winter southward. Actinidia,
akebia, wistaria, roses, dutch-man's pipe, and clematis are to be
recommended; the large-flowered clematises, however, are more valuable
for their bloom than for their foliage (C. paniculata, and the native
species are better for covering porches).
The annual vines are mostly used as flower-garden subjects, as the sweet
pea, morning-glories, mina, moonflowers, cypress vine, nasturtiums,
cobea, scarlet runner. Several species of convolvulus, closely allied to
the common morning-glory, have now enriched our lists. For baskets and
vases the maurandia and the different kinds of thunbergias are
excellent.
The moonflowers are very popular in the South, where the seasons are
long enough to allow them to develop to perfection. In the North they
must be started early (it is a good plan to soak or notch the seeds) and
be given a warm exposure and good soil (see in Chap. VIII).
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