CLEMATIS.

Press, Volume LXIII, Issue 12593, 8 September 1906, Page 10

CLEMATIS.

The most beautiful of the climbing plante suited to the Canterbury climate are the clematis (speiiies and hybrids). In tho more tropical or temperate climes there are quite a number of other climbers which have values not j>cssc.s6ed by the- clematis, but thcsMi will not grow hero except under glass. In our colder climate, however, we can miko use of the clematis with groat effect. For trellis, archway, verandah, summerhouse, pergola, arbour, ■nothing is more appropriate, especially when associated with climbing loses, etc. For cove ring old tree stumps, mounds, hiding unsightly objecte, many of tho lampant growing species arc unequalled Perhaps their greatest value in general planting is their diversity of character, thus reducing any objection to monotony if a quantity is grown. Another advantugo is that no great skill is needed in growing them. Tho amateur can grow them equally as well as the professional, siteh fact being proved everywhere- in the neighbourhood of Christchurch. The secret of growing them successfully, is associated with liberal treatment. Tlie soil must bo rich in character nv.d deeply worked. If the fioil is poor, tho application of rotten manure or. leaf mould will be necessary. When growing, frequent waterings of liquid manure add much to the growth of the plant, and the size, quantity, and quality of the- blooms. If the weather is hot and dry, watering is absolutely necessary, as they suffer much under droughty conditions. Middling round the roots with halfrotted manure in autumn, will help to strengthen tho plants for. next season's display. Printing tho plants is an important factor in successful blooming. Some varieties requiro winter pruning, others summer pruning. The Jackmanni and Viticelli groups should bo pruned hard back every year, in tho autumn or early winter, ns it is on the new reason's growth that the new flowers appear,. The Pntcne a.ml Florida groups requiro the removal of deod growths and a slight thinning, while the lanuginosa type should bo but very moderately pruned. Mont-ana should bo cut back after the blooming in spring, so as to develop young growth, which will bear tho flowers for the next season's display. Gr.ivcole.ne, Virginiana, Fbmmula, mud similar species require hard cutting back every winter. This' will mean strong fresh growth covered with bloom in tho summer, followed in tho autumn by downy or feathery seeds, which are more effective than the, flowers. The New Zealand variety, C. liulivisa, is one of tho loveliest of all clematis, and is held in Itigli esteem in Europe. It is cno of t!ho vory fc.iv evergreen varieties, and its glossy leaves give it a marked individuality which nono of tho others possess. The hybrids arc tho large flowering kinds, and vary much in colour and. season of blooming. By a judicious selection, a continuous selection of flowers may he Jiad from November until April. The colours include white, lavender, mauve, blue, purple, violet, bricky red. and Gcarlet. Double flowers are iinclii r Vd in the hybrid pp-ctiiorf, as well as tile large singlo binds, and alf-o sf>me scmi-douhlcs. Tho best time for planting, is from now until mkl-snnnner. If planted' at this season of the year, tho root action, which is very vigorous, takes hold of the- prepared ground, and by the end of tire summer tie- plant hae a good , grip Tvith its -summer developed root's. This ensures a strong growth for the future. Although this ie tho best time, success iiMiy be attained at other seasons of the year if the ground is fit for planting. A fact worth reooirdiing ie that Christchurch hae much the largest number of clematis growing in ite private gardens., very many more than in any other part of New Zealand. Visitors from other centres aud from Australia, during the clematis-bloom-ing season, are etruck with the effective displays seen in. many of the gardens in, the city and subnrbe, and 1 freely comment thereon.. Ballarat, Viotoria, is noted in Aiist.Tallia fo.r tilne same feature in> its gardening. The explanation may lie in. the fact fhat the climate in both cities is cool and suited to their growth. Also in Both cities enthusiastic horticiiltnrjsfe, with a penchant for this lovely flower, Jiavo for many years spent considerable sums in- introducing the lateet and bovt sorts produced b\' the hybridisere in tho Old World.