Trees and Shrubs for English Gardens Part 36

ABUTILON.--Several of the Abutilons are sufficiently hardy to thrive on walls or in borders near to heated plant-houses. Mr. Burbidge writes in the _Garden_: "I have seen _A. striatum_, _A. vexillarium_, and _A.

vitifolium_ grow and bloom for years outside. The last-named forms a spreading bush 10 to 13 feet high in South, West, and Eastern Ireland.

It has leaves somewhat resembling those of the Grape Vine, and cl.u.s.ters of pale-lilac, mauve, or lavender-tinted flowers that remind one of those of _Meconopsis Wallichi_ in shape, size, and colour. _A.

vitifolium_ comes from Chili, and enjoys shelter and ample root moisture, being apt to suffer from drought near walls, otherwise it grows well thereon." _Abutilon vexillarium_, when afforded the protection of a south wall, blooms for eight months out of the twelve, bearing on slender, curving shoots its handsome, bell-shaped flowers with their crimson sepals, yellow petals, and protruding dark-brown stamens well into the month of December should no severe frost occur.

Florists' varieties of the Abutilon, such as Boule de Neige, also do well on sheltered walls.

ADLUMIA CIRRHOSA.--This grows quickly, and the fern-like leaves, covering almost the twining stems, possess much beauty; the flowers are white. A biennial, but sows itself freely. North America.

AKEBIA QUINATA.--A most distinct j.a.panese creeper with five-lobed leaves and twining stems; although generally grown in a greenhouse, where it flowers in January or February, it is quite hardy in mild sea-sh.o.r.e places, and bears its monoecious flowers in April or May. The rich wine-purple flowers are borne in axillary grape-like cl.u.s.ters, and their translucent petals are very beautiful as seen between the eye and the light. It likes a rich, deep, loamy soil, and is increased by suckers or layers. Although introduced to our gardens from Chusan in 1845, it has never become very abundant, but it deserves a place for its distinctive character.

ALOYSIA CITRIODORA (Sweet Verbena).--Another popular name for the _Aloysia_ is Lemon plant; it is a fragrant pale-green leaved bush, not very hardy, and therefore best placed when against a sunny wall. Except in quite the south of England and Ireland, it is generally wise to cover over the stems with a straw mat and heap ashes over the roots. It is often seen as a large bush against the sea. We have seen it thus on the Carnarvon coast. Chili.

AMPELOPSIS.--Now included with the Vines (_Vitis_).

APIOS TUBEROSA.--This has pea-shaped violet-scented flowers. It is sometimes pretty rambling over a shrub. North America.

ARISTOLOCHIA SIPHO (Dutchman's Pipe).--Frequently planted against a wall; its leaves are very large and handsome, and the dull-coloured flowers, owing to their shape, have given rise to the popular name.

ATRAGENE ALPINA.--A hardy wall climber, and known under the name of _Clematis alpina_. It enjoys a lime soil. A native of Europe.

AZARA.--The best known of these is _A. microphylla_; it is not one of the hardiest of shrubs, but in many gardens, especially where sheltered and by the sea, it covers much s.p.a.ce with dense glossy leaves; the flowers are white, small, and give place to orange-coloured berries in autumn. It is quite a shrubby wall plant.

BENTHAMIA FRAGIFERA.--Now known as _Cornus capitata_, but in gardens its old name will long be retained. In Devon, Cornwall, and in Wicklow, Cork, and Kerry, and elsewhere in Ireland, this fine shrub flowers and fruits luxuriantly as a bush on the border or lawn, but in less favoured places it needs the warmth and shelter of a wall. It is a native of Nepaul, and is readily increased from home-grown seeds, and the plant, like all its allies, is a rapid grower in any deep, rich, loamy soil.

Quite small bushes of this plant and the common _Arbutus Unedo_ are often very handsome as seen laden with fruit in South and Western Ireland.

BERBERIDOPSIS CORALLINA.--Mr. Burbidge writes in the _Garden_: "The finest specimen of this beautiful and distinct evergreen climber I ever saw was on the stable wall at Lakelands, Cork, when that n.o.ble place was in the hands of the late Mr. William Crawford, a great lover of garden vegetation. It is a native of the Chilian Andes, introduced in 1862. It likes a deep peaty soil or loam and leaf-mould on a moist bottom, and, like the _Lapageria_ and its dwarf cousin _Philesia_, it enjoys a northern or shaded aspect, rarely thriving for long together in full suns.h.i.+ne. Its flowers resemble those of the Berberis, but are much larger, have pendent stalks, and are of the brightest coral-red or blood colour. It grows and flowers here in a shaded corner under an ivy-topped wall."

BIGNONIA CAPREOLATA.--This is the hardiest of the Bignonias. It needs a warm wall, and there is much beauty in the warm, reddish-orange, trumpet-shaped flowers, which are in cl.u.s.ters from April to August. It grows to a considerable height. North America.

BILLARDIERA LONGIFLORA.--This is the Apple Berry of Tasmania, and is of elegant twining habit, its greenish-yellow flowers, which are not very showy, being succeeded by handsome blue berries that are very ornamental, and are similar in shape and size to Fuchsia fruits. The plant is closely related to the _Pittosporums_ of New Zealand, and grows 2 or 3 feet in height. There are two or three other kinds, but none prettier than _B. longiflora_. It grows best in moist peat and sandstone, at the foot of a half-shaded wall.

CALYSTEGIA.--Also known as Convolvulus. _C. p.u.b.escens fl. pl._, the double Bindweed, is more useful for rough stumps than walls, but may be included; the flowers are double, of rosy colouring, and large, and appear during the summer and into the autumn. It is best in warm, well-drained soil.

CAMELLIA.--Mr. Scrase-d.i.c.kins writes in the _Garden_, March 30, 1901, p.

227, as follows about these little-understood hardy shrubs: "The best Camellias for planting out of doors in the open air are those which bloom late and start late into growth, such, for instance, as _Chandleri elegans_ or _Anemonaeflora_; the varieties with broad roundish leaves appear to grow in more robust fas.h.i.+on than those having narrow pointed ones with a serrated edge, though the latter will make sometimes very compact bushes. It is possible that the sorts with dark-red flowers are hardier than those with pink. The old double white seems to stand the cold well enough, but it hides its flowers rather too much among the foliage to make any effective display of them, though in this way they are often secured from frost or bad weather and made serviceable for cutting. To train against a trellis or wall _Doncklaarii_ is very good, and next to _reticulata_ one of the most beautiful when well grown, blooming so freely.

"Camellias appear to grow in almost any aspect, but are naturally sun lovers; and though preferring peat, they will do in most other soils, provided that there is no lime present. The points of the young roots are very sensitive to drought, so should be protected until well established, by light mulching or a surrounding growth, from the risk of being withered up by a fierce sun striking the ground in which they are starting. Unlike many other shrubs, they seem to have the advantage of being exempt from the destructive attention of rabbits; perhaps when snow is on the ground they might be barked, but I do not remember to have noticed it. Apart from the question of varieties, it may be well to draw attention to the fact that only strong healthy plants should be turned out, for sickly specimens from a conservatory or greenhouse are very slow indeed to make a start, and will remain sometimes for an astonis.h.i.+ng number of years in almost the same pitiable state."

CEANOTHUS.--Beautiful wall shrubs. They cannot be regarded as quite hardy, but _C. azureus_ in a garden near London has mounted almost to the chimney stacks; a surface of foliage, and in the appointed season pale-blue flower cl.u.s.ters. The soil is light and the aspect due south; and in cold, sunless places the Ceanothuses, it is well to remember, utterly fail. A warm soil and sunny place suit the shrubs well. Gloire de Versailles, Lucie Simon, and _pallidus_ are amongst the best of the others. Of other species, _C. veitchia.n.u.s_, deep blue, is very beautiful; and _C. dentatus_ and _C. papillosus_ are also noteworthy.

CHIMONANTHUS FRAGRANS (Winter-sweet).--The variety _grandiflorus_ has larger flowers and of a clearer shade of citron yellow than those of the type, and though the plant is bare of leaf the blossoms make a brave show, and may be descried against a well-toned brick wall from some little distance. It is just as well to bear in mind that this is one of the shrubs which bloom on the young wood, and any pruning or cutting out of useless branches that may be necessary should be done in early spring when the flowers are over, for if it be delayed there will be no flowers next year. It may be raised from seed, but seedlings vary greatly.

CHOISYA TERNATA (Mexican Orange Flower).--Very vigorous, shrubby, glossy, green-leaved plant; rather tender, but quite happy in northern gardens if not very exposed. Its cl.u.s.ters of flowers are very sweet and white.

CLEMATIS (see p. 303).

COTONEASTER (see p. 80).

DIERVILLA.--May be grown against fences and even walls, but are better against the former. I saw a fence covered with the crimson-flowered Eva Rathke in a London garden, and flowered abundantly every year.

ECCREMOCARPUS SCABER.--Climber for wall, arch, or pergola, with reddish flowers. Protect the roots by coating the soil above them with ashes or some protective material.

EDWARDSIA (SOPHORA) TETRAPTERA.--This is called the New Zealand Laburnum. A tree in its own country, but a shrubby wall plant here.

_Grandiflora_ is the best variety.

ESCALLONIA (see p. 385).

FUCHSIA.--The hardy Fuchsias are almost unknown, though amongst the most beautiful of hardy shrubs. My favourite is _F. Riccartoni_, but this often makes a good hedge. Very charming also are _F. coccinea_, _F.

corymbiflora_, _F. globosa_, _F. macrostemma_, _F. microphylla_, _F.

splendens_, and _F. thymifolia_.

HABLITZIA TAMNOIDES.--Better, perhaps, for arch, pergola, or tree stump than a wall, but in some cases it may be placed there. It is a vigorous climber, with misty ma.s.ses of greenish flowers in summer and autumn. Not often seen.

HEDERA (Ivy).--The Common Ivy when growing in an exposed position will often acquire a rich bronzy hue during winter, but in this respect individual plants vary a good deal, the smaller-leaved forms being as a rule the richest in colour.

The most marked in this respect, and one that from its neat, prettily-lobed leaves is well suited for use in making up b.u.t.ton-holes, sprays, &c., is the variety _atropurpurea_, whose distinctive character is far more marked in winter than in summer. _Hedera Helix minima_ must not be confounded with _H. H. conglomerata_, though at a certain stage of growth there is some similarity. A three-year-old specimen differs from the freer _conglomerata_ form in that it grows more flat both as regards the twigs and the leaves on the twigs. It has more s.h.i.+ning foliage of a deeper and more sombre green, with pleasing clouded tints, and further, as the name would suggest, it is a smaller plant in all its parts. It is a beautiful creeper for positions on the rock garden, and is one of the best surface plants, as through it bulbs may spear their growth and flowers without injury. _H. H. pedata_ and _H. H. gracilis_, both charming varieties of the small-leaved Ivies, should be in every collection.

The uses to which Ivy may be put are innumerable, and with the many beautiful varieties that are now to be obtained their sphere of usefulness has considerably extended. One of the most picturesque methods of growing Ivy is to allow it to clamber over tree stumps placed here and there in suitable parts of the garden. Ivy banks also are very charming, and for carpeting the bare ground beneath the spreading branches of large trees nothing could be more suitable. For the latter purpose the shoots should be pegged down and kept in position so that they may take root. Suitable varieties for this purpose are _H.

dentata_, _H. raegneriana_, _rhombea_, _obovata_, _himalaica_, _pedata_, _palmata_, _lobata_, &c.; but the best of all is an Ivy called Emerald green.

[Ill.u.s.tration: _CAMELLIA, LEAF AND FRUIT (outdoors Ches.h.i.+re)._]

INDIGOFERA GERARDIANA.--During the late summer and early autumn this leguminiferous shrub is one of the most attractive of those that are then in flower. Its finely divided pinnate leaves are of a rich deep green, and almost fern-like in grace and luxuriance. It is, indeed, worth growing for their sake alone. About the end of June it commences to flower, produces its flower-spikes in the leaf-axils, and continues to do so until the middle of September. The flowers are pea-shaped, and borne on spikes 4 to 5 inches long. The colour is a bright rosy purple.

The species is a native of the Himalaya, and its stems do not survive winters of even moderate severity. The root-stock is, however, perfectly hardy, and it sends up a thicket of young growths every spring 2 to 4 feet long, which flower the same summer. It is not suited for growing in large ma.s.ses by itself, because it starts rather slowly, and the season is advanced before the s.p.a.ce the plants occupy becomes furnished. But it is very suitable for the herbaceous border, or, still better, as an undergrowth beneath groups of taller, thinly-planted shrubs. It is happy also against a wall. Also known as _I. floribunda_.

JASMINUM.--The White Jasmine (_J. officinale_) is too well known to describe. It is one of the best of the cheaper wall climbers. _Affine_ is the best variety; it has larger flowers. _J. humile_ (_revolutum_), although an Indian species, will succeed against a wall; it has yellow flowers and is evergreen. _J. fruticans_, another bushy species, may also be grown; its flowers are yellow, and succeeded by an abundance of round black berries which are very distinct and pleasing in winter. Of course, the beautiful, fragrant, yellow-flowered _J. nudiflorum_ will not be omitted. The new _J. primulinum_ has large yellow flowers in spring. Wants a wall.

KERRIA j.a.pONICA.--Sometimes grown against a wall, but an excellent bush for grouping, except in very cold and exposed gardens. The flowers are yellow and produced abundantly. It should be more grown. The double variety, _K. j. flore-pleno_, is frequently seen against cottage walls, and making a cloud of yellow from the double rosette-like flowers in early summer. The major form of this is the best.

[Ill.u.s.tration: _DUTCH HONEYSUCKLE ON WALL._]

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 j.a.pan Honeysuckle, _L. j.a.ponica 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. Standis.h.i.+_ 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 ma.s.s 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).

Pa.s.sIFLORA CaeRULEA.--Few climbing plants are more fascinating than the blue Pa.s.sion 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 cl.u.s.ters.

[Ill.u.s.tration: _POLYGONUM BALDSCHUANIc.u.m OVER FIR._]

POLYGONUM BALDSCHUANIc.u.m.--A beautiful shrubby climber, with clouds of white, pink-tinted flowers in summer and autumn. An ill.u.s.tration 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 ma.s.ses are useful in the house. _P. molle_ is not unlike it.

PRUNUS TRILOBA is an excellent wall shrub (see ill.u.s.tration).