Lonicera (Honeysuckle).—This is too well known to describe. The Honeysuckle of the hedgerow is as familiar as the Poppy of the cornfield. The common native Honeysuckle is Lonicera Periclymenum, the best variety of which is serotina, or late Dutch; it flowers into the autumn, and is of redder colouring. Belgica is the Dutch Honeysuckle and is of strong growth. L. Caprifolium is not a true native, but has become naturalised. Major is a distinct variety. Then there are the evergreen Trumpet Honeysuckles (L. sempervirens and varieties, minor being the best known; the flowers are scarlet and yellow). Plantierensis is a good hybrid with larger flowers. The Trumpet Honeysuckles are not so robust and free as the late Dutch, for example. The well-known variegated Japan Honeysuckle, L. japonica aureo-reticulata, should not be planted much; its small, green, yellow-netted leaves are pretty, but one quickly tires of their colouring. L. etrusca, orange yellow, and L. flava, which must have a warm place, may also be mentioned. Certain species are quite bushy in growth. L. tomentella has small pink flowers in July. L. fragrantissima blooms in winter and is a delightful wall Honeysuckle; its small white flowers are very fragrant. L. Standishii is also sweet scented. A plant or two of either kind near the windows is very pleasant on sunny winter days. The Honeysuckles are charming, and should be in every garden—at least one or other of them.
Magnolia.—M. grandiflora (evergreen) is generally grown against a wall. The large, glossy, green leaves and big, creamy, fragrant flowers are very handsome. M. conspicua (deciduous) I have also seen very beautiful against a wall, a mass of white in late spring. The flowers in this position are less likely to get damaged by frost and rain. Its varieties may be used in the same way, but the type is the best.
Olearia (see p. [405]).
Passiflora cærulea.—Few climbing plants are more fascinating than the blue Passion Flower. It is, with its bluish flowers and orange, egg-shaped fruit, most happy against a warm wall, and is not the hardiest of climbers. The white variety, Constance Elliot, should be grown also.
Piptanthus nepalensis (Nepaul Laburnum).—This is a shrubby wall plant, and not a very important one. Its yellow flowers remind one of those of the Laburnum, and are borne in clusters.
POLYGONUM BALDSCHUANICUM OVER FIR.
Polygonum baldschuanicum.—A beautiful shrubby climber, with clouds of white, pink-tinted flowers in summer and autumn. An illustration shows it clambering into a Fir tree near the rock garden at Kew. I have seen many poor forms in gardens, seedlings, and therefore to keep the true type, it must be increased by cuttings. If frost cuts the stems down in winter, new growths spring up in the following year. Its graceful flower masses are useful in the house. P. molle is not unlike it.
Prunus triloba is an excellent wall shrub (see illustration).
