There is hardly a plant in the above list which is not really beautiful, and fully deserving a place in the garden. But space cannot be found for even half of them, still less for many more which I have not mentioned, if the old-fashioned shrubbery is to still monopolise all the available ground. By all means let us have a few evergreens to clothe our gardens during their winter nakedness, but in spring and summer the beautiful flowering trees and shrubs should be there to brighten with their blossomed sprays the corners where now sombre, dusty foliage forms the only relief. If many desirable names have been omitted, it is because space cannot possibly be found for all, or perhaps that they lack the hardiness which is one of the first points which must be considered when introducing new varieties. In warm, sheltered spots, such as occur in Devon and Cornwall, there is no end to the really beautiful trees and shrubs which may be grown. Here fuchsias and members of the magnolia family will thrive and bloom freely, but in less favoured localities we must content ourselves with more hardy subjects, of which there are numbers from which to make a choice.
CHAPTER XI
HARDY CLIMBERS
It would be impossible to over-estimate the value of the various climbing plants to the designer; without them our gardens would lose half their beauty and charm. This much we owe to them, that without their graceful presence many beautiful garden houses, outbuildings and walls, would be intolerable eyesores. But for our climbing roses, clematis, honeysuckle, and fragrant jasmine, there would be no possibility of shady pergolas, flower-clad archways, and welcome arbour. The crudities of the architect, his ugly terrace walls and staring porticos, may all be softened and veiled by a tender covering of flowery sprays and rich green foliage. Yet, in spite of this, more effective use might be made of plants of twining and scandent habit, not only by calling in the aid of several beautiful subjects which are now seldom seen, but by displaying those we have to further advantage. In the wild gardens of Nature we find that climbers choose for their support living trees and shrubs, and who will gainsay the charm of the hedgerow wreathed in honeysuckle, or of the beauty of the wild rose which has scrambled by chance amid the branches of some forest tree. How seldom we afford the cultivated climbers this form of support. On the stronger growing trees we may have the snowy clematis montana, flinging its blossom-clad trails from branch to branch; vines and gorgeous Virginian creeper garlanding the trunks, and hanging pendant from the nethermost boughs. The axe may even be stayed from a dead or dying elm; instead, allowing the mauve and white wistarias to twine their way upwards, and cover the withered stump with new life and loveliness. By selecting climbers of less rampant growth, the evergreen shrubs may be wreathed with many a fragrant spray, all the more beautiful because of the freedom from artificial planning and arrangement. In this way endless possibilities are opened before us, of which we should not fail to take advantage. The following list of hardy climbers will, it is hoped, afford some assistance to those in need of suitable plants for a variety of purposes:—
Roses.—The Queen of Flowers is worthy of a volume to herself, and it would be impossible to give anything like an adequate description of a tithe of the climbing varieties, within the limits of this chapter. The following list embraces some of the most beautiful climbing forms in cultivation.
Aimée Vibert.—Small white flowers borne in large clusters. Beautiful for the pergola.
Celine Forestier.—Sulphur-yellow, free blooming.
Devoniensis.—White, with creamy shading, large and full.
Felicité Perpétue.—R. Sempervirens. The foliage is evergreen, and the clustering white flowers are faintly tinged with pink.
Crimson Rambler.—Invaluable. A quick grower, soon clothing pillar or pergola with its bright green foliage, among which the trusses of vivid blossoms show to advantage. Euphrosyne with rosy flowers; Thalia, white; and Aglaia, yellow are also useful, but the crimson form is the best.
W. A. Richardson.—Yellow and orange flowers, with beautiful copper coloured buds. Fine for arches and low walls.