CHAPTER  XII
 

                        Climbing  Shrubs.



The value of climbing shrubs in gardens needs no insisting upon.   It is

by their means that the most effective of all garden pictures, and the

nearest  approach  to  tropical luxuriance  can be obtained.    The  one

difficulty in cultivating climbers in gardens  is the  provision of proper

supports for them to grow  upon.  The  most convenient of  all is the

pergola, a pleasing feature  in  a  garden, but  one  which it is  sometimes

difficult to place properly.  A pergola  should lead up to  something, and it

ought not to be  set down anywhere, irrespective of its surroundings.  As a

rule  it is  most  happily placed over  a path.   In  our climate I do not

favour the pergola with continuous sides and top.   On all but  the hottest

days  it is too  apt  to be suggestive of a  tunnel; on wet  ones it  is

absolutely  gloomy.  This type of pergola  has  also  the disadvantage of

putting its best  side  outwards, especially on the top, so that little of its

greenery and few  of  its flowers can  be seen  from  inside.   A pergola

consisting of a series  of  square or rounded arches,  12 to 20 ft. apart,

linked together by a  chain or lathe on each side is, to my mind, to be

preferred.  The flowers on each arch and chain can  in this way be seen

quite well, and at the sides long hanging shoots may be  encouraged

to grow.

   The most natural support for climbers  is  other trees and shrubs, but

the effect on the latter when  allowed to be overrun by a vigorous climber

is nearly always deleterious, and may in time be  fatal.  No  one would

think of giving  up a tree they prized for such a  purpose, but common,

and especially decaying, trees are very  suitable for  it.  The establishment

of a climber in  close  enough proximity to a tree to enable it to overrun it

requires some consideration.   It is often of little  use planting it  at the

base of the trunk.  Although frequently selected, that spot  is too dry

and too shady,  except in decrepit trees or trees with tall, bare trunks.   If

any branches come near enough the ground to enable the newly planted

climber to be  attached to  them, that is usually the best place to select.

It may be necessary, however, to secure the  branch against being blown