BEAUTIFUL CLIMBERS

OF INDIA

By
B. P. PAL, M.Sc., Ph.D. (Cantab.), F.L.S., F.RS., F.N.I.
DIRECTOR
INDIA:-< AGRICULTURAL

NEW

RE~ARCH

INSTITUTE

DELHI

PUBLISHED BY

[NDIAN COUNCIL OF AGRICULTURAL RESEARCH

NEW DELHI

FIRST

PRI~TED

CHIEf EDITOR!

JUNE, 1960

PREM NATH

All Rights Reserved

Copyn'ght /g60 by Indian Council of Agricultural Research

New Delhi

Printed by Pyarelal Sah at the Times of India Press, Bombay, India

BEAUTIFUL CLIMBERS OF INDIA

r. I vy, decorating walls and a gateway

FOREWORD
~eed for a well illustra ted book on ornamental climbers
whi c h grow in I ndia \vas felt for a long time. Apa rt from
students and gard eners, there are a number of people bui lding
houses and planting gardens, who require guidance in the
sel ection of suitable climbers. In their publication programme
for books on horticultul"e and orna me ntal gardening, the
Indian Council of Agricultural Rrseareh selected Dr. B. P.
Pal , Di rector of the Indian Agrie ultlll'al R esearch Tns[itute,
X c\\" Delh.i, for th.is assign.ment. There could be no worthier
c hoice fOl' a hook of this na t ure. Apa rt fmm beill!5 an eminent
scie ntist, who has done outstanding work in ('"olving r ust
resistant wheats, his IO\'e for gardening is unbou nded. A " isit
to his home in the Tndian Ag t'icultural Research Instit llte is
indeed it treat. H e has con verted a drab ollicial residence into
a p arad ise of colour and fragrance. \\'hen his wintel' annuals
and rOses flower, indeed it is a p]easul"e to see his garde n. H e
also grows a large collection of flowering climbers.
I am glad D r. P al in spite o f his preoccupations with hi~
scientific work, has been ab le to produce this heautiful book
in his spare time. Profusely illust rated with paintin!.!;s of
o rnamen tal climbers by the well-known plant artist Tha kur
Ganga Sing h, a nd by colour photograph~ taken by II. K.
Gork ha, Photographer of the I ncl ia n Council of A!~Ti cultura l
R esearc h und er the g uidance of Dr. Pal , it is a worthy add ition
to lhe scam y literature on garden plants of Tndia. \\'I; tten ill
a simple language avoid i Ilg teehllieal jargon, this book will
be particularl y welcomed by p eople who wan l guidance in
the se}e.rl,;Otl ,?f C}I.;,rn),v:rJ fl}," ,their hal~ ga. rde,~.~ aUG.1 ~1lla .lJ}
garden lo\'ers in ge neral. I hope it will be of a considerahle
help to all those who arc interested in the ornamental
climbers which g row in th is cou ntry.
~ew Delhi
January 23, 1960

\f. S. R a ndhawa, D.Se., I. C.S.

PREFACE
Climbers have been known and valued in India for ages.
In Sanskrit literature and in the epics of Kalidasa there are
numerous references to creepers adorning not only the
pleasure gardens of emperors and kings but also the hermitages of saints and rishis. In modern times, the resources of
the plant world have been exploited much more thoroughly
than in the past, for the enjoyment of man. However, although
climbers find a place in books on gardening along with shrubs
and other plants, there is no book available in the country
which is devoted exclusively to these beautiful plants. It is
hoped that this small volume, which is written [or the lay
gardener and not for the botanist or the specialist, will fill a
need.
The number of climbers which have been included is
small compared to the Iich wealth of varieties which is
available in different parts of the world. But it seemed desirable that in a first book of this kind, the selection should
be limited to climbers which are readily available in the
country itself and about which the '..vIiter had some personal
experience. Merely to cull out descriptions of some of the
lovely forms available in other climes would have been
inappropriate. But it is hoped that this brief account of some
of the beautiful climbers already available to the garden
lovers of this country will result in an increase in interest,
in a demand that our nurseries should maintain a better
stock and a wider range of varieties so that one may be able
to choose therefrom what exactly is required for one's garden .
Thjg book has been prepared at the suggest jon ofD)', ~VL S,
R andhawa, Vice-President of the Indian Council of Agricultural Research, who is not only a noted authority in the
fields of Botany and Agriclliture but also well-known for his
love of beautiful trees and other omame ntal plants. But for
his unfailing interest, constant encouragement and assistance,

PREFACE

its completion would not have been possible. The writer's

deep gratitude is therefore due to him. The writer also wishes
to express his indebtedness to Dr. H . K. Jain for valuable
assistance in the preparation of the manuscript. He also wishes
to thank Mr. H . B. Singh, Dr. S. P. Kohli, Mr. S . Ramanujam,
Dr. A. T. Natarajan and Mr. Romesh Chander for assistance
in several ways. He is also grateful to Dr. N. L. Bar of the
Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, for checking up the Latin names
of a large number of the climbers described in the pages that
follow.
Most of the photographs were taken by MI'. H. K. Gorkha of
the Indian Council of Agricultural Research and have been
reproduced with the kind permission of Dr. M. S. Randhawa.
One photograph was taken by Mr. Ranjit Singh while the
picture of Iris/aria sinensis was kindly made availahle by
Mr. K. Mori through the good offices of Dr. S. M. Sikka.
The paintings by Mr. Ganga Singh which are also included
were made available through the kindness of Dr. Randhawa
I am indebted to =VIr. N. S. Bisht for assistance in designing
the cover and in the layout.
Finally, the author w ishes to express his deep gratitude
to the Indian Council of Agricultural Resea rch for pro\iding the opportunity and facilities to write this book.
New Delhi
January 23, 1960

B. P. Pal

CONTENTS
I.:-.JTRODUCTION
CHAPTER

1.

VARIOUS TYPES OF CLIMBERS

Showy,
Free-flowering
Climbers.
Climbers for Foliage. Climbers with
Scented Flowers. Climbers for Shady
Positions. Light and Heavy Climbers.
Climbers with Berries. Wild Climber~.
Annual Climbers. Other Climbers.
CHA.PTER

II.

HOW TO GROW CLIMBERS

22

Selection of Climbf"rs.
CHAPTER

III.

DESCRIPTION OF SOME IMPORTANT

CLIMBERS

25

Adenocalymma allicea. Aganosma

caryophyllata. Allamanda cathartica.
Antigonon leptopus. Aristolochia elegans. Banisteria laevifolia. Bcaumontia
grandiflora. The Bigllonias. The
Bougainvilleas. Chonemorpha macrophylla. Clematis. Clerodendron splendens. Clitorea ternatea. Gloriosa
superba. Hiptage madablota. Jacquemontia pentantha. J asminum grandiBorum. Lonicera japonica. Pharbitis
purpurea. Passiftora racemosa. Petrea
volubilis. Porana paniculata. Quisqualis indica. Climbing Roses and
Ramblers.
Solanum
wendlandii.
Strophanthus
gratus.
Tecomaria
capensis. Thunbergia grandiflora.
Trachelospermum jasminoides. Wistaria sinensis.
INDEX TO SPECIES AND VARIETIES

10 3

LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS
I.
2.

3
4
5
6.

7
8.
9
10.

II.
12.

'5.
16.
17.
18.
19.
20.
2 I.

22 .

23.
24.
25.
26.
27.
28.
29.
30.
3t .
32 .

Ivy, decorating wal ls and a gateway

Frontispiece
Adenocalymrna allicea
29
Aganosma caryophyllata
30
Allamanda cathartica va ... grandiflora
3'
Antigonon leptopus
32
Aristolochia grandiAora
37
Banisteria laevifolia
38
Beaumontia grandiflora
39
Pyrostegia venusta
40
Arrabidaea magnifica
43
Bougainvillea buttiana
44
Bougainvillea var. Mary Palmer
45
Bougainvillea var. Dr. R. R. Pal
46
Bougainvillea effectively used to relieve white
structures
49
Clerodendron splendens
50
Clerodendron thomsonae
51
Cli toria ternatea
52
Gloriosa superba
57
jacqllemon tia pentantha
58
Jasminum grandiflorum
59
Lonicera japonica
60
Lonieera sempervirens
65
Pha rbitis var. Cornell
66
Ipomea versicolor
71
Passiflora incamata
72
Passiflora racemosa
73
Petrea volubil is
74
Quisqualis indica
79
A deep pink rambler rose
80
A light pink rambler rose
81
Solanum jasminoides
82
Solanum seaforthianum
87
10

LIST

OF

ILLUSTRATIONS

33 Solanum wendlandii
34 Strophanthus gralus
35 Campsis chineruis
3 6 . Pandorea jasminoides
37 Thunbcrgia grandiflora
38 . Trachelospermum jasrninoides
39 \\'ista ri a sinensis

11

88
89
go
93
94
95
96

INTRODUCTION
A traveller wandering through the green forest may
suddenly come across a lwilliant patch of colour; some
climbing plant with beautiful flowers is displaying its beauty.
Or a person walking through the forest of bricks, stones and
cement which constitute our towns may come aeloss a
building, relieved from the commonplace, by a beautiful
climber planted at an appl'Opriate spot. It has been said by
some cynic that whilst a doctor can bury his mistakes, an
architect can only cover his with creepers. However, it is not
only the occasional lapses of the builder which need the help
ofa charming climber, but well-designed houses also can have
their beauty enhanced by the planting of a few carefully
chosen climbing plants which will literally provide cascades
of colour.
This small book is intended primalily for the gardeltel and
the plant lover who docs not wish to bother with a lot of
technical detail. J n many cases a large number of species
and varieties exist and thele is a gl-eat deal of coruusion about
the names. Many pages can be written explaining why certain
names have been preferred and certai n others left out. The
object in the present case, however, is to present onl y such
information as is likely to be of interest and help to the lay
gardener. He would like to know as to which are the best
varieties and how to grow them to perfection. The latter is a
task which it is difficult to g ive advice about. There is unfortunately very little published information regarding the
behaviour of particular plants under different conditions. For
instance it makes quite a lot of difference to a climher whether
it is grown on the side of the house facing north or south or
east or west. Very few persons have experience of having
grown a large collection of climbers under varying conditions
of light, temperature and humidity. What is given in the
following pages IS, therefore, a summary, a crystallization of
13

14

INTRODUCTION

the author's experience with a limited number of climbers,

helped out by observations from friends in different parts of
the country.
The function of the stem in the life of a plant is partly
mechanical. It helps in the transport of water and mineral
substances, and no less important is that it enables the leaves
to be exposed to sunlight, which is very essential for the
synthesis of cat'bohydrates, the basic food for aU plants. This
latter function, the stem is able to perform, by virtue of the
fact that in most plants, it is strong, stiff and erect with weUspaced branches arranged on both sides.
A strong stem structure in the higher plants thus appears
to be entirely consistent with the !"Ole assigned to it. The
process of e\'olution however, is not always guided by a cold
logical approach; indeed many people wonder, in view of the
randomness of gene mutations, whether it is gu ided by any
approach a t a ll. In one way, however, it is good t hat it
is not, for how else would there be so much diversity of
plant a nd animal life, which has provided variety, the most
potent antidote to a monotonous existence?
Among the products of the evolutionary process are the
weak-stemmed plants, which in spite of thei r obvious hand icap, manage to su rvive beca use of the \'ery ingeniolls adaptat ions they have developed. :M any of these pla nts have taken
to a climbing habit, by means of special structures or by a
modified behaviour of the ex isting ones. These climbing
p lants or climbers a re vari ously described, depending on the
precise manner in which they achieve their object.
They are described as climbers proper when the p la nts
are endowed wi th special structures w hi ch on com illg into
contact with an object attach themselves to it and in t his way
provide the necessary support for the plant to cli m b. These
special OJ'gans may be tendrils, modified leaf-stalks, rootlets
or hook-like thorns. The tendrils are formed by the modifications of va ri o11s plant parts sllch as the terminal portion of
b ra nches in Antigonon [I'll/Opus or one of the lcaflets in B igllollia,
leaf-tips in Cloriosa or stipules in Smilax. In Clematis, the spiral

INTRODUCTION

15

leaf-blades provide the necessary support for climbing. In

Bougainvilleas thorny structures on the woody stcm help the
plant in taking the necessary grip.
Climbing plants a re described as twine rs when in the
absence of any special organs for support, they twine themsel ves spirally around a nother plant or some o ther object;
known examples of this behaviour are met with in Hiplage a nd
Honeysuckle.
The name rambler in the gard ening terminology is usua ll y
resen'ed for those climbing forms of roses which produce
la rge cl usters of small flowers . In a more general sense, th e
terms ra m bler and straggler apply to those plants which do
not quite succeed in thei r efforts to climb but manage to
spread around, supporting themselves 011 stems and branches
of o ther plants. Q.uisqualis indica) the R a ngoon Creeper', is a
good example. The scramblers, on the other hand, a re those
plants which manage to raise themselves up after repeated
falls. The dog-roses are described as scramble rs.
Another g ro up of climbing pla nts are called creepers
because the y are too weak to rise vertically a bove the ground
on their own. A good example is the M orning Glory. The
trailers are not m uc h different from the creepers. The only
difference is that they are unable to root at their nodes. In
Ameri ca the term vine is often used to denote any typ e of
climbing plant.

CIL\PTER I

VARIOUS TYPES OF CLIMBERS

SHo\\'Y, FREE-FLOWERIXG CLHHlERS

This class of climbcrs generally appcals most to the average

person. Thcsc are the plants which display such a blaz<; of
colollr at certain timc_s of the year that one's attcntion is
compellingly /L'(cd on the beautiful sight. The flowers may be
small or large; they may be bell-shaped and symmetrical
or they may sometimes C\'cn take fantastic shapcs, but if the
climber is worthwhile, there will bc masses of flowcrs! 1\;lost
of the climbers which are described in this book fall into this
category. Thus there is a lal'ge selection to choose from,
allhough the averge person is quite Ilnaware as to how rich
is the variety of bcalltiflll climbers which naturc has provided.
CLI:\1HERS FOR FOLIAGE

J list

as some trees and shru bs and pot-plants a re prized

for their foliage so also t herc are some climbers which are
g rown only beeause of their beautiful leaves, t he flov"ers in
th is case being insignificant. Visitors to colder countries will
recall what an im portant part the J vy plant which creeps
along the w.alls of houses, mansions, and castles pJays by providing an attractive verdant cover in summer; and in
autumn the leaves change t heir colollr, assuming the most
beaut iful shades of red. In the tropics also there a re some very
striking climbing foliage plants. One of these is M01lSfera
deliciosa wh ich has enormous leaves with curious holes in
them a nd the fru it is said to be very finely flavoured if partaken when fully r ipc. Another and more familiar plant is the
so-called l\Ioncy Plant, Pothos. T h is has variegated leaves i.e.
some parts of the leaves are green and some parts arc white or
creamy in colollr. Thc p lant grows very easily a nd can a lso
be grown indoors. Yet a nother familiar foliage plant which

18

BEAUTIFUL

CLIMBE R S

OF

INDIA

c~n be trained up the trelli~ is the Asparagus. ~Iany people

know Asparagus as a vegetable, but there a re species of it
with beautiful foliage which a re quite ornam e ntal.

CLIMBERS WITH SCE:\TED FLOWERS

Some climbe rs are favoured for their h a ndsome appearance,

and some others for t he ir scent. But some are fortunate to
possess both beautiful flowers a nd also deliciolls fragrance. One
can choose a climber that will not only beautify a verandah,
but a lso fill the adj oi ning portion of the house 'w ith a lovel y
scent. Amongst these are some of the climbing rose varieties
such as t he beloved old yellow variety, Mareellal .Yiel. the
Honeysuckle, and Traehelospennu1I1 jasmilloides. Again we ha\'e in
the climbing Jasmines, plants with some of the most fascinating odours in the plant kingdom. In the descriptive table of
climbers given at the e nd of the book, special m ention is made
of the fragrance of certain climbers in order that this a tt ribute
may be availed of by garden lo\ers.
CLIMBERS FOR SHADY POS ITIO:\fS
~Iost

climbers like to g row in fu ll sunshine a nd produ ce

the ir best flowers only if they have plenty of light. It ofte n
happens, h owever, that one may wish to plan t a climber in a
situation wh ich is partly or fully in the shade. Fortunately
there are a few climbers which can thri ve under such conditions. For position s whicJ] are conljnlJaJJy jn the sJla df", one
of the best climbers is Traelzelospemzwlljasminoides with its neat
foliage and m yriads of deliciollsly scented, small , whi te flowers.
At places which receive partial sunshine certain climbers like
Clerodendroll splendens do quite well. ]acquemontia pmlalltlza is
another climber which can be grown under su ch conditions.
In fact it is an advantage to grow this and also certain of the
blue ijJomeas in places where only a limited amount of morning
sunshine is received. U nder these conditions the flovvers rem a in
open longe r and also do not t ake on quickl y the somewha t
reddish tinge w hi ch affects the fine blue of the flowers later
in the day.

VARIOUS

TYPES

OF

CLIMBERS

19

LICH T AXD HEAVY CLIMBERS

There is qu ite a lot of d ifference in the amou nt of growth

which d ifferent climbers can m ake. "W hile on the one hand
t here a re some which remain small, there arc o t hers which
atta in tr uly gigantic propor tions. Some of the W istarias for
example can coyer g reat stretches of a wall. Those who have
visited the well-known Safdaljung Tom b in ="lew Delhi in
wi nter, may ha\'e been impressed by the way the beautiful
climber, Pyrosi(f{ia venus/a, with its e normous tr usses of orangecolou red flowers has com pletely covered the outer walls. W hile
t hese climber'S g l'ow extensively undel' favoura ble conditions,
i t is also possible to use them where sp ace is more limit ed by
pru ning a nd trimming of t he plants from time to time.
For those who wish to have very small-growing climbers,
the common jVas/urlium has a climbing for m w hich can go
u p se\'eral feet a n d is very orna m en tal. The ::--lorning Glories
and Milia lohala a lso take lip very little space if the sowing
time is adj usted. For instance, in the pla ins if t hey are sown
in J ul y they will make extensive growth before t hey flower
in t he ead y winter or even earl ier, bu t if the sowing is
delayed u ntil the end of A ugust or earl y Sep tember, t hey will
only grow a few feet and then produce their flowe rs.
Info rmation on whethe r a cl im ber can be classified as lig h t
0 1' h eavy is given elsewhere in order to help in the selection of
suita ble cl im bers for particular positions.
CLIM BERS W IT H BERRI ES

Som e pla nts produce a large number of fruits after flowering, which in some cases may be as o rnam en tal as the AO"'ers
themselves. 1n cold climates, some of the wild rose species wh ich
are now grown in gardens produce richly-coloured "hips"
as t he fr u its of the rose are called. ~10st of the climbers, however,
wh ich are g rown in India do not possess sllch an a t tribute.
W I LD CLIMBERS

Our garden plants han' corne to us origina ll y from the

wil d flora which existed i n different parts of the world.

20

n E AUT I F U L

e LI M n E R S 0 FIN D I A

Some of them have been directly taken from the wild state,
and without further change have been adopted hy man to
add to the beauty of his garden. Others, however, have been
subjected by plant breeders to considerable selection and
hybridisation to produce yet ne\\'cr forms, sometimes of
exceeding beauty. Tra\-ellers in the Himalayas will come
across some wild roses like Rosa lIloschata \vhich can climb up
trees and present a very striking effect. \\,ild species ofC/emalis
and some other climbers a lso OCcur. In the forests and jungles
of the plains also there are a number of c1imbcrs which are
found growing wild. In the present book, however, no special
mention of these has been macle since the climbers which are
considered most worthwhile ha\'e been included whether
they have come directly from nature or whcther they have
been improved at the hands of man.
AKKUAL CUMBERS

Many climbers g row and persist for a number of years:

these are the perennials and they are valued because once
they have established themselve~, they do not need "ery mu ch
care. On the other hand , there are climbers which grow and
flower and complete their life-cycle within a year; these
annuals have their place in the garden too. For qu ickly
making gay a small space of trellis or a bare wall, and for
covering unsightly objects it is difficu lt to find anything better
than some of the fp ollleas (or Pharbitis) which are raised from
seed and grow quick ly. Some of them can persist, even heyond
a year, if the y are atJowed to do so; but they appear to wear
themselves out during the first year and better results are
obtained b y growing [rom a fresh lot of seed each year.
OTHER CLIMBERS

Some of the climbers well-known in temperate regions

appear to be absent or li ttle known in this country. They do
not appear in the lists of our nurseries and if they have been
introduced at all, they will no doubt be found in the garden
of some flower lover who took the trouble of going through

VAR I OUS TYPES

OF

CL IMB ERS

21

the rather tedious proced ure ""hieh is entailed in importing

pla nts. Although such climbers may not be suitable for the
tropical parts of the eOllntry, they should certainl y do \\fell
in our hill stations and some a reas in the Deccan tableland.
Amongst the better knowll flowering cl imbers the follo wing
may be mentio ned.
Hydrangea petiolaris. The small garden-shrub-form of
Hydrangea is familia r in this country b ut not lhis unusual a ncl
artisti c vine. It grows quite' woody' and clings specially to
brick or wooden walls. It docs not requ ire a n y special support ;
it can also be grown on old trees and st umps. The heigh t
varies fro m 10 to 20 feel, depending on the p runing.
The d ense, deep green foliage is a ttrac tive and so are the
c ha racteristic fragrant creamy-white flowers. The flowers
howe\-er a re not in the form of rounded heads as in the
common JI)'dTangea but consist of flat "plates" held out
h orizontall y and exceedingly attractive.
Polygonum auberti. Also known as the Silver L ace Vine,
this is a ra mpant grower and blooms over a long period.
Euonymus radicans vegetus. This will grow to about 20 feet
and is effective on bri ck, stone or stucco. In add ition to thick
lustrous da rk-green evergreen leaves, t he clusters of orangecoloured berries are both st riking and decorative.
There are man y o thers tha t could be listed but these
examples will indicate what a weahh remains to be tapped
b y ga rden enthusiasts in India.

CHAPTER II

HOW TO GROW CLIMBERS

U nfortunately it is not p ossible to g ive general directions
as to how to grow climbers to perfection. \Vhilst there are
some things that many climbers need in common such as
plenty of sunshine, a good well-drained soil, a n adequate
amoun t of water and so on, yet each species, one m ay eve n
say each variety, has its own special likes and d islikes. Some
climbers will put up with shade, or with too m uch or too little
water, or flourish even on poor soil , but it is diffic ult to g ive
information in general tel'ms, w hic h can be successfull y
a ppli ed to a particular plant. Therefore, in this book the
information that is avai lable has been given along with the
description of the climbers in the pages later on.
The successful growing of climbers, however, does not
consist merely in grow ing the plants well, and giving them
conditions under which flowering will be profuse, b ut ad equa te
attention must be g iven to the positio n of the climbe rs in the
garden. I f they a re planted, mixed up wi th all kinds oflhings,
the eff~ct may not be very h appy. There must be a n attempt
a t harmonisi ng the climbe rs w ith the bui ldings and other
garden pla nts. Sometimes two climbers can be allowed t o
in tertwine to create fascinating masses o[ contrasting
colours; [or instance the Petrea can be so grown with
certain varieties of 1!ougainllillea. Planting a vivid majenta
p urple B ougaillllillea in a sma ll gard en, however, would tend
to " kill the colour in the a nnuals and sm a ller shrubs in
the garden.
J\1any climbers do not require mu ch attention after they
have g rown except removal of dead or diseased bran ches and
occasiona l trimming . Howevel', certain types such as the
climbing roses a nd the rambl e r roses require annual p runi ng
to ensure the best resu lts. Hints on pruning a re gi ven at the
appropriate places .
22

HOW TO

GROW

CL IMBER S

23

ARCHES, PERGOLAS, PILLARS Al\'D TRELLISES

One way o[ growing the climber is to let it go up a tree.

This does not entail any special provision of climbing aids
to the plant concerned. Often, h owever, climbers are grown
against the walls o[ buildings, or on special ly constru cted
arches, pergolas, trell ises a nd similar str uctures . For cli mbing
against the wall , some of the climbe rs do not need any help:
[or instance in tIle case o[Campsis chinensis and Trachelospermll771
jasmilloides, little rOOlS a ppear wherever t he climber touches
the wall a nd wh ic h fix themselves tenaciously to the surface.
Other climbers however may require some lattice work or
som e wire-mes h suitably fixed t o the wall, to assist them in
climbing up and preventing them [rom being hurled down
during sto rms or in squ a ll y weather.
Arc hes in various sh apes a nd sizes, pergolas and arbours,
are distinc tly ornamental and eminently suitable for the
planting o[well chosen climbers . The garde n loyer can exercise
his imagination in designi ng specia l typ es of these structures
in o rder to beautify h.is garden. These can. be built of various
materials including iron, concrete, wood , bamboos, etc. It is
not a t a ll necessary that the arches and pergolas should be
finel y finished in constru ction. For insta nce, woode n arches
u sing irregular rough pieces o[ wood can create a c harmingl y
rustic appearance. The pilJars which support the gates can
also often be m ade more inte resting by clothing them with
a suitable climbeL Some of the roses are called p illar roses
beca use of their suitability [or suc h a purpose. These roses
arc climbers, but their spread is limited so that they make
just enough growth to cover an average-sized pillar. In the
plains of India, B ougainvilleas arc often used [or this purpose,
quite effectively. However, there is a tendency to use only
one or two of t he old varieties whereas nowadays there is
such a wealth of new varie ties to select [rom.
SELECTJOl\" OF CLIMBERS

Each one has his own favourite flowers . So is the case with
climbers. Some pl'e[er a climber that catches the eye with a

24

BEAUTIFUL CLn1BERS

OF INDIA

startling colour ; others may prefer a modest-looking type with

sweetly scented Oowers. The experienced gardener takes into
account not o nly the Oowering propensi ties of the plant but
also su ch factors as the attractiveness of the foliage, the freedom
from pests and diseases, and so on. Also, as mentioned earlier,
the climbers selected mus~ be in h arm ony with the rest of
their background. ThllS, some of the flollgaill1'illeas in strong
shades of purple and majenta are seen ;:0 the best advantage
in a park or in the background of a large garden. Agai n a
elimber like Arislolochia gralldiflora which has evil-smelling
flowers sho uld be planted in a place where it will not offend.
\Yhere a number of climbers are to be grown, there is an
opportunity to display one's taste. Climbers with flowers
of similar shades can be planted or, a lternatively some pleasing
contrast ca n be provided. To assist in the selection of climbers,
a table has been g iven at the end of the book. It gives at a
glance some of the salient featmes on which information. may
be desired.
Amongst my personal favourites I would mention, for t he
plains, Clerodendroll splendens, which literally heeomes a living
curtain of scarlet-crimson Oowers in the cold weather while
during the rest of the year its handsome foliage is an added
beautr, and Petrea l'oillbilis w ith lovely m asses of stany soft
pUl'ple flowers; also the new bougainvillaea Mary Palmer with
its mixtllre of red and white branches which is so profuse in.
flowering. J n the hills rambler roses such as the old favomite,
Dorolll)' Perkins, add to the beauty of the porch; where one
has more space, the W istaria is certa inly something a lmost
Ollt of this ,.,,-odd, when in bloom.

CH.\PTER III

DESCRIPTION OF SOME IMPORTANT CLIMBERS

Adenocalymma allicea
A. allicea like the \-yell-known Bigllonias to which it is closely
related is a climber of surpassing charm which finds a ready
welcome everywhere because of its refreshing e\-ergreen
foliage and enchanting masses of exquisitely coloured flowers.
The two together harmonise to produce a spectacle which is
at on.ce ravishing and full of splendour. The flo'wers are a
most g lorious shade of pinky-mauve in colour and trumpetshaped as in many Bignonias. The leaves, arranged opposite
each other, are each divided into two twin leaflets. One should
avoid bruising the leaves, for then they give out a garlic-lik e
odour! The species A. calycina has yellow flowers.
From its original home in Brazil, the genus Adenocalymma
has migrated to many parts of the world and in India it is
very wide ly distributed. The plant thrives on a rich loamy
soil in hot and moist cond itions. Commonly propagated by
layering, the c uttings a lso roo t when planted in a sandy soil.

Aganosma caryophyllata (Echites caryophyllata)

A. caryoplzyllata is an att ractive twining shrub, \'ery free
growing and much valued for its abundant mass of white
flowers produced during the early rai n y season. I ts capacity
[01 quick g rowth makes it most suitable for trai ning on large
trees. The flowers are del ightfully fragrant, usually described
as clove-scented, a nd thcir irregularly twisted petals are their
m ost characteristic feature. The leaves in A. cmyoplzyUa/a as in
other species arc oppositely arranged a nd a re conspicuous for
their veins which are reddish in colou r.
A. caryoplzyllata had its origin in tropical America from
where it has spread far and wide. The plant is easily propagated from seeds and by means of layers. It should not be
25
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26

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watered frequentlr as it is best adapted to flourish under dry

conditions.

Allamanda cathartica
Allamallda catlwrtica is a very popular and colourful plant,
prized both for its large yellow flowers and bright green,
narrow pointed leaves arranged in whorls of four. The
corolla, tubular at the base and funnelled above into five
lobes, has its beauty further enriched by the orange streaks
lining its inside. Flowering throughout the year, althoug-h to
perfection only in the hot and rainy slimmer months, the
plant attains a good size and can be grown to advantage
either as a garden shrub or as a climber to adorn the verandah
with its many attractive flowers.
The native land of A. cailzariica is tropical America from
where it has spread far and wide and is now grown in all
tropical or sub-tropical parts of the world. The plant shows
best growth in a mixt ure of fibrous loam (3 parts) and wood
cha rcoal ( 1 part), a nd responds we ll to heavy manuring during
the growing season. During this period, it also requires a lot
of watering wit h free drainage. It is easily propagated by
cuttings and layers. \'Vhe n g rown in pots it should be re-potted
every year, pruning the shoots in winter to a manageable
size.
A number of varieties of A. cathartica arc a,oailable, a lthough
some of these such as schotti and nobilis which are among the
best known have sometimes been accorded the status of
synonymous or sep<lrate species. The varieties differ mostly
in the growth habi t of their plants and the size of their flowers.
One very commonly g rown, apart from schottl, is nobilis
because of its capacity for prolonged flowering over a period
of months. The flowers of this variety are noted also for their
fragrance. Gralldijlora has superb large yellow flowers .
Another species of ALlamanda which deserves mention
because of i ts distinctive colou r of flowers is violacea. The roots
of this slender-growing climber howeyer develop very poorly
and for this reason it is usual to g raft it On the scholti variety.

DESCRIPTJO:-l

OF

SO~IE IMP ORTAN T

CL IMBERS

27

Antigonon leptoptls
SA:'-1D'vVI CH ISLAND CLIMBER

A. leptopus must he conside red an ideal climbe r, for few

plants produce such lovclr spr-ars of rose-coloured flowers
with such a reckless abundan ce. The flowers wh ich brook
few rivals in their extravagantly colourful errect, are produced
throughout the summ er months particularly with the onset
of the m on soon. A second shower of inflorescences makes its
appealance in the earl y winter months. The branches bearing
the blossoms in an acropeta l successio n, arise opposite the
alternately arranged lea\es a nd each terminates in two or
m ore hook-like stru ctu res which help in climbing. The fto'wel's
arc unorthodox in thei r form, each constituted of a perianth
di vi ded into five p etal-like parts, the outer three more prominent than the two in ner ones. The leaves, triangular and
deeply elefted at the base, h ave a wa\y margin and very
conspicuous veins on their l ower side. The plant is trained
w ith best results on arbours, pergolas, fences or trees.
Antigollon guatemalense has rose-coloured flowers, double
in appearance. There are also species 01 vari eties available
with pure white flowers, or white flowers which turn to pink
on fading, g iving a ch a rming erreet of pink and white; a nd
deep carmine red.
Originally from South America, A. leptopus has found new
h omes in Indi a and in other warm reg ions of the world. A
good loamy soil not too rich in manure suits it well. The plan t
is deciduous and careful trimming is necessar y aflcr the blooming period is mer. New plants are readil y raised from seed s
a nd once established they d evelop a tuberous mot which
puts up new growth with the end of the winter season.

Aristolochia elegans
CALI CO FLOWER

A. elegans true to its name, is a neat and delica te climber

whose major attraction lies in its cu riously-formed flowers

28

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which are obviously so designed to facilitate pollination by

insects. The popularity of this particular species is due mostly
to the fact that unlike others, it is completely free from the
repelling odour which is so characteristic a feature of the
genus Arislolochia. The flowers large and showy are formed
of a tubular perianth of yellowish green colour, which curving
sharply upwards, opens out into a beautiful cup-shaped
structure with a radius of just under two inches. Adorned
with purple veins on its whitish outside, the cup has its deep
purple interior su perimposed by a lovely pattern of irregularly drawn ,,,,hite markings. The fruits which resemble
hanging baskets are interesting. The leaves like the flowers
are borne on long stalks, and as broad as long, they are more or
less heart-shaped. Blooming in the rainy season, the plants
which are tall of stature, are best trained on trell ises.
Natives of S. America, Aris/oloe/lias have almost a world-wide
distribution. Many species of Al'islolochia have curiouslyshaped flowers and are known by such names as Dutchman's
Pipe, Pelican flower, Swan flower, Goose flower and Duck
flower. But the unpleasant smell of most species bars them
from a place in the garden. Mention must however be made
of A. grandiJlora, the largest - flowel'ed species which has
numerous, inflated flowers provided with a tail three feet long.
T he plant thrives in a rich loamy soil which would permit
free drainage, and can be propagated easil y from seeds,
cuttings, Jaycrs 01" suckcl"S.

B{ln isteria laevifo lia

A shrubby climber, B. laevifolia is remarkable for its goldenyellow flowers wh ich, occurri ng in close clusters, cover the
plant during the late wintcr months, make it an object of
great beauty. The plant grows freely, producing many branches with oppositely-arranged leaves, having a pigmentation
which is generall y described as olive-green. The flowers,
small individually, depend for their showy effect on their
elose aggl'egation on a short axis. Three such axes, one
terminal and two axillary are further grouped together. Each

2 . . l denoca(l'mma

allicea

J . AgalloJlIW cflI)'opl!)'ll ata

4 . . 1llalll(lllcia cathartlca \ar. gralldijlora

5 . . Jnligol!oll /rplop1l.l

DES C RIP T ION

0 F

S 0 ~1 E

D1 P 0 R TAN T e L 1MB E R s

33

of the golden-coloured petals is di\ided into a narrow basal

part and a roundish upper portion with the margin reflexed
upwards, forming a hollow in the middle. Each leaf consists
of a short stalk and a large blade which is stiff in texture and
elliptically round in shape.
B. laevifolia is a native of tropical America but its present
distribution covers almost all tropical and sub-tropical parts
of the world. The plant requires a soil permitting free drainage
and a mixture of loam, sand, leaf mould and peat is therefore
generally used. It is easily multiplied by cuttings taken from
ripe wood and planted in a sandy compost.

Beaumontia grandiflora
~F.PAL

TRUUPET CLlMBER

Beaumontia grandijlora is a large, evergreen, shrubby twiner

capable of climbing to great heights and covering a large
area. It can be grown as a garden shrub by occasional pruning
or trained on a wall; with its large lily-like white flowers whi ch
OCCllr in groups of varying size, it presents a strikingly beautiful
sight. The plant is characterised by very rapid growth, a
fact which along with the free flowering habit, accounts for
its huge size and showy appea ra nce.
The flowers of B. grandijlora, with their faint fragrance and
large white trumpet-shaped corolla having a splash of green
towards the base, are produced in great abundance during
the late winter months. The leaves which are oval in shape
and' efisp witti. a dear margl'n are arranged in twos, opposite
each other, on a thick woody stem.
A native of Eastern India, B. grandijlora is now commonly
grown all over the country. It is sometimes seen climbing up
tall trees. Lancaster has remarked that when it goes up the
silk cotton tree, the combination of the large red bell-shaped
fl owers of the latter, with the white trumpet-shaped flowers
of the Beaumontia is " a sig ht for the gods."
It is not very sensitive in the matler of its soil requirement
but must be exposed to full sunlight, if necessary by thinning

34

B I:. J\ V T I F V L

(.; I 1:'.1 B I:. R S

0 F

=- D I A

Out the leaves. It is usual to plant it in a rieh loamy soil and

aftct- flowerinl{ has been completed, prunin~ is done to
encourage fresh gro\\ til for the next year. Propagation is done
hy means of cuttings, layers and seed.
i\ second species of Beaumonlia, which one sometimcs finds
in Indian gardens is B. jerdolliclIla. This has somewhat smalkr
flol1-crs, 1\ hich }W\1'C\Tr, are prodltct'd ill vcr}' large llumbet-s,
making the plant extremely attractivc.
T he Big n o1}ias

The Bignonias, using the t(Tm in tlw horticultural sense,

include some of the most magnificent tropical climbing
plants. Thc leaves arc compound and the terminal leaflet is
often represented by a tendril.
1'yrostegia vellusla (also called Biglwnia remuia) well deserves
its name of" the Golden Shower ". This e"er-green climber
can cover a vast space, and when it blooms in the cold weather,
the lea\-e~ are complelelr hidden by the enormous pendular
trusses of rich orange-yellow tuhular flowers. Tndeed it is
one of the most showy of the flowerin[\" plants and a most
glorious ~ight whell in full bloom.
The original home of P. renu.I/a is Rra.lil, bllt it is now grown
in gardem throughout the tropics. The plant is not ,'er)'
exacting as to ils soil requirements, but a l!;ood fibrous loam
suits it admirably. \\'ell-rotted farmyard manure may be
addt'tI occa~ionally . The p lants sh.ould not be a llowecl to dry
since they lo,'e moisture, but at the same time drainage should
be good so that there is no water-logging. I n India, the plant
is Hot usuall)" attacked 11') allY seriollS disease or pest and its
cultimtion is relati"ely simple. This climber is easily propagated by cutting-so
The plant flo\\ CI"S to perfection when it recei\('s full su nshine. Good examples of P. l'eIluJia call be seen in the gardens
of Rashtrapati Bhavan and on the walls of Safdatjung's Tomb
ill New Delhi.
Abollt half a dozen species of Bigllollia arc fairly commonly
grOWt1 in Indian gardens. Of tllcse species, mention Illust be

DES C RIP T ION

0 F SO MEl M P 0 R TAN TeL I ~i B E R S

35

made of B. purpurea (the name has now bcen changed to

Clytostoma binatum) which has lovely, purple, scented flowers
and blooms se\'cral times in the year. This climber is not
too heavy and can be sui tably grown on a trellis or along the
wall of a house.
A number of other species which formrrly wrre placed in
the genu.~ Bignonia and now \"ariolll>l) classified, almost
rival P. rmllsia in the splendour of their beauty. Foremost
among them arc Doxarttha ltllguis-caii (formerly B. gracilis),
Clytos(ollla cn/{istegioides formerly B. specioja) and Arrabida,a
mag1lifica (formerly B. mag1lifica) . All three are ma!{nificenl
climhers, extensi\e in their !{fowth and profuse in their
flowering. The first produces gorgeous pale ye llow flowers
durinl!; the hot summer months, the second bears blossoms
which are ye llowish with a lilac tinge while Jarge ma ll ve to
purple red flowers coyer the third in the cold willtrr months.
The) make an excellent CO\'er for bare stone walls.
Til e Boug(linvi lleas

Of all the climbing plants w hich grow in our part of the

world, the BOllgai1l1'iltcas are perhaps the most brilliant and
spectacular. A BOligailll'illea in full bloom is a sight to be
fem em bered. For sheer richness and excitinl{ \ariety of
colour and for profusion of flowering the), arC a class apart.
T he colour range has becn g reatly illcreased as a resul t of
breeding work. Ap:trt from the familiar mauves and purples,
white, golden orangc, and brick-red shades are to be found .
Some of the g lowing- scarlet forms arc as colourful as hot
rllil1ics drying in the stln o r the cloaks o(lwl/-figh ters in Spain.
Free growing though not too frec to bccome coarse and dense
with fohage, thc plant'!. produce a smother of (\OWCY \\ on ihe long,
(lslIallr woody branches in t he axils of a lte rnately arranged
lea\es. The strikingly colourful petal-likc structures in these
plants arc in fact the three bracts whi ch enclose within them
the not so conspicuous tubular pale-yellow pt'rianth a nd the
fest of the floral parts. One such flower is attached to the
base or each bract. The flowers continue to bc produced, in

36

BEAUT I FUL

CLIMBERS

OF INDI A

many varieties, almost throughout the year, though with a

greater lavishness during the d ry periods. The leaves in
Bougainvillea are simple in form, mostly round or oval with a
pointed tip a nd having a short stalk.
Grown in a "artety of ways, suc h as pot plants and standards
a nd also as hedges, wit h remarkably good effects, the B ougainvilleas are hO'vvever at their very best as climbing shrubs, which
is the way they are found in their native la nd of South
America. Trained over arches or pergolas, the roof or the back
wall, porches or arbours or on neglected tree t runks, they
flaunt their beauty with great ad vantage and with a total
lack of inhibition. It is wcll to remember howevel' that their
briUiant shades, esp ecially the purple and magenta-coloured
types, dominate over everything else in the neighboUl'hood
and therefore the choice of a suitable site requires careful
consid eration.
There is g reat confusion regarding the number of B ougainvillea species a nd varietics a nd I h ave bccn in correspondcnce
w ith Prof. Holttum, Colonel Symon J eune and others who
have been studying the Bougainvilleas, H owever, four species
B. buttiana, B. glabra, B . peruviana and B. sjJectabilis appear t o
have p rovided a ll the varie ties a nd h ybrids which a re now so
commonly g rown in India and in othcr parts of the world.
A description of these species has been given in r ecent
year s by Prof. H olttu m , a mong othcrs, a nd is briefl y as
follows:
B. bullialla: plants of t his species a re climbing shrubs which
produ ce their flowers in the terminal pa rts of the branches.
The floral bracts are non-pointed at their tips and crimson
in colour, which changes to magenta with age. The leaves on
lhe mai n stem a re very large in size a nd the spines very
conspiclloLls. The plant loses its hairs with age.
The species B. bullialla is in fact a hybrid between B . glabra
and B. perul ia71a; experimental evidence in support of this
has been presented by Prof. Harland. The best known representatiye of lhis species is the variety Mrs. Butt which has a very
interesting history.
1

6. Aristolochia grandijlora

7. Banij/aia lac/}iJolia

8. Beaumolltia gralldijlorfl

9. PYl'ostegia vcnllsta

DESCRIPTION

OF SOME IMPORTANT

C LIMBERS

41

" This welt kno wn variety appears to have been obtained

b y 1\1rs. R . V. Butt from Colombia in 1910. It then spread.
It a ppears to have reached Europe after the First W orld W a r
and I ndia about 1920."
Another p opular variety in. which the actual flowers are
malformed is the Scarlet Queen, commonly grown in this
country. l'd uta nt forms having orange bracts fading to pale
mauve have origina ted both from Mrs. Butt (M rs. McLean,
L ouise Ira/hen a nd Orange K ing ) and Scarlet Queen.
B. glabra: This c1 imhing species prod uces clusters of
flowers with \'ariously-toned magenta-coloured bracts which
are p o inted at their tips and covered with a net-work of
veins like those of but(iana. The leaves in this are ellip tical
in form and w ith very minute hairs, the spincs On the branches
are sho rt and not so conspic uous as in buttiana. The plant is
very commonly grown in India a nd continues to be in bloom
almost throughout the year. Some of the best known varieties
of this species are SIlOW White (also called Snow QJlcm) , Forlllosa,
Cypheri, Sanderiana and Magllifica. The first has white bracts,
a nd is much prized as a novelty, being of recent introdllction;
the second is of a pale glisten.ing mauve colour while the
others a re yarious shades of mage nta. Sallderiana, the common
European va rjet~, but also grown in the Eas t, is noted
for its imme nse capaci ty for flower formati on. M agnifica
h as becn considered the finest representative of B . glabra
beeanse of its Jj"ee flowering h a bit a nd rich coloured
bracts.
B. penll'iana: The flowers in this species are crowded a t
the cnds of branc hes as in B. buttiana. The floral bracts are
rather small, pale magenta pink in colour with a llOn-pointed
a pex. Othe r disting uishing features of this species a re the
greenish bark cove ring the branches and the sp ines whic h
become curved with age. The leaves are like those of bullimla
in form but of a smaller size.
The two well known varieties of this species are Lady }Judson
and Princess Margaret Rose. The first h owever is considered to
b e a h ybrid by some people.

42

n E AUT I F U L

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1:\ 0 1,-\

B. spectabifis : A spccies which thrivcs best when growing

freely over tall trees, it makes a pretty si~ht with its coloured
bracts whosc shades of magenta purple 01' tOed vary wi th thc
variety. It appears to flower o nl y in dry weather or in response
to dry ,,-cather. The bracts are non-pointed at their tips a nd
of a fairly large size. The al terna tel y a rranged leaves arc more
or less oval in shape and with a slightly wavy mar~in. The
plants are spiny and conspicuollsly hairy over most parts.
The speclabiliJ \'arieties which find [a\'ollr arc laterilia,
specioJa and rtjulgefls. The bracts of the first ,ariety are desc ribed as brick red, jasper red or poppy red fading- to brazil
red. Both speciosa and rrfulgells ha'-e very large bracts of a
purple mauve colour.
In addition to the numerous varieties referred to abo\"e, a
numbCI' of hybrid Bougailll'illeas be tween til(' diffcrent species
havc bcen p roduced in several countries. These including
a fe" ii'om India IUl\"e been brief!) described by Prof. H oltlllm.
Some of these arc ,lida, rose madder t o rose Be ngal; Bois de
Rose, soft pink; Drtam . pale mau\"{~; JlIbilee, terraCOlla orange;
Lad_y Hope, carm ine pin k; Ma haraja oj M)'.\IIre, T yrian rose,
rose to rose madder; Aleera, carmine \\ ith shading of p urple;
/llrJ. Buck, deep rose with a tOllch of mag-cma; II irs. Fraur,
unusually deep red; M r,L J.allca_\lf)', ros) mall\-e; PlIIple Robe,
reddish purple; R osa catalilla, bright ros) scarlet; R OJt' QJII'ClI,
deep crimson sca rlet ; Star, purple to crimson and 'J oma lo Rl'd,
c herry 1 cd. A vcr) recent red "ariety is Dr. R. R. Pal.
R eference has alt'ead) been made to the white variety
Snow While. At one time the ,\hire B Ollgaill1,illea \\as co nsidered to he a myth concocted by fanciful t ravellers. A
variety deserving specia l me ntion is Jfary P almer. This Pf"Oduces some branches t he floral bracts of which are deep rose
in colour, so me b ranches which are almost white being-lightly
shaded with the faintest amber-pink ti nge and some branches
which are mixtures of these two shades. This variety appears
to be a com plr.x c himera a nd the mixture of the two colo urs,
combined with its ,'cry fr<>e blooming- habit si milar to that
of M rs. Buck make it a vcry desirablc garden p la nt. Yct

10 . lrrabidat(/

magnifica

II.

BoulZaim'illea bullialUl

12.

Bou!?,oimilleo yar. )'la r} Palmrt

13. Bougai1lvillea val'. D r. R. R . Pal

DES C RIP T r 0::-<

0 F

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l M P 0 R T AN TeL r ~f B E R S

47

another varie ty worthy of attention is Enid Lancaster (this

appears to be ca lled Golden Queen in southern India and
may be the same as Golden Glow referred to b y Holttum) .
It h as bracts of a d eep golden-orange colou r which do not
fade to pink or light purple as happens with several other
varieties of this class.
Although a t'istocrats among the shrubs of the garden ing
wo rl d, Bougainvilleas are quite modes t in their requirements;
their cultivation neither presupposes a specialised knowledge
of floriculture nor demands too much care. They do we ll in
most soils w hic h are well-drained uut an ideal compost
recommended for them is 3 parts loam, 1 part leaf-mould
and sufficient quantity of sa nd to make for pe rfect drainage.
Occasional applications of fertili zers or, better still, liquid
manure are all to t he good. A su nny site a nd watering not too
freq uently is very much to their liking . Pruni ng is not very
useful in these plants excep t perhaps to keep them within the
limits . Pruning is particularly inadvisable after the end of the
monsoon as this would d iscourage production of flowers.
)'105t varieties of Bougainvillea can be propagated quite
easil y. Those belonging to the species spectabilis howC\'er
present some difficulty. Roth cu ttings and la yers gi\'e good
results.

Ch onem orpha m ocrophy lla (C. fragrall:i)

C. macrophylla is a climbing shrub which is tr uly g igan tic
in its grow th habit and suitable for trai ning on th e tallest
str uctures. In keeping lI'i(h its vigour, it produces leaves of
enormoLis size and flowcrs to match. The flowers whi te in
colour a nd fi'agrant a re very refreshing, a ppearing as they
do in the hot summer mo nths. They a re borne on it repeatedly
branc hed axis to form what the botanists call a cyme. The
fi\'c petals in each flower arc joined to ma ke a long narrow
tube at the base but appear free from one another in their
more typical form at the to p. A much sma lle r calyx tu be not
unlike that in the common jasminc encloses firml y the lower
part of th c corolla .

48

II E AUT I F U L

e LI M n E R S

0 FIN D I A

A m ofC characteristic fea ture of the plant is its leaves which

are rem;lrkable for their size, sh ape a nd reticulation. Placed
opposite each othe r , they are broader at the tip than the
base and the neatly arra nged net-work of veins in them is a n
artist's delight.
A native of our own country, it h as not established itself
in many sub-tropica l par ts of the world. )Jot "ery fastidious
ill its requirements, an ordina ry garden soil with sand mixed
in it suits it well.
C lematis

The genus Clematis includes a "ery large nu mber of species,

a nd many of t h ese are excellent evergreen climbers, li"ing to
a great age, flowering a nnually for a long p eriod and requiring
but little care. Clematis also provides rich material for indoor
decoration. But being plants of the temperate regions, in
India most of the varieties can be g rown with rewarding
results only at the hi gher alti t udes. Actually, "cry few arc
cultivated in India. Outstanding in the colou r of their calyx,
constituted in most cases of four sepals which ta ke the place of
the missing petals, the Clematis flowers a rc assuled of a proud
posi ti on in any garden. There is a tremendolls wealth of
t ypes available in Clematis. Some of the varieties are sma)]flowered b ut they make up for this in the prodigal profusion
o[ their bloo m. Thus C. paniculata with numberless p a nicles
of white fragrant flowers is a well-known plant in Europe and
America. C. montana alba known in the lJ nitecl States as the
Great In.dian Clema tis is a plant of remarka ble VigOlll, with
showy yellow stamens and. whitish flowers that c hange to
pink with age. Its native home is in the Himalayas but yet
this climber is hardl y known to Indian gardeners. Coming to
the large-flowered forms, mention must be made first of the
purple jackmani. This hardy, strong-gl'owing "ine bears
flowers fi ve inches across, dripping a curtain of rich purple
across the walls.
Some o[ the best known English varieties with different
coloured flowers have been listed by \\' hitehead and include

I.J Bougainvillea eITecti,'ely used to rc]ie"e white structures

Clerodelldron splendens

)6. CLercdelldron thomsolZae

'7 Clitoria temalea

DESCRIPTlON

OF SOME IMPORTANT CLIMBERS

53

Fair Rosamond, blush-white; ~arcel l'v10ser, mauve and

carmine; Nellie :\10scr, pale mauve and rose; The President,
deep violet; Belle of Woking, pale mauve; Lady Northcliffe,
lavender; W. E. Gladstone, lilac; Ville de Lyons, bright
carmine red; and Duchess of Albany, bright pink. Among
others may be mentioned; Mme Edouard Andre, attractive
"ed; lvII's. Cholmondeley, wistaria-blue; and Mme Baron
Veillard, a pastel shade of warm lilac-ro!>e. The leaves in
Clematis are arranged opposite each other in many of the
species, theil' stalks curl around the available support and
thus help in climbing. The plants can be arranged to display
their eharm in a variety of 'Nays; they are equally at home
on arbours and pergolas, trellises and walls or old tree stumps.
The centre of origin of Clematis is not known but the plants
are widely distributed in the tempera te regions of the world.
In India, as already pointed out, most of the species particularly those producing large flowers are confined to the hillstations and then too only a very few varieties are grown.
Their chief requirement is a riell loamy soil, w lliell should
permit free drainage. The soil should be dug deeply, adding
well rotted manure and sand to it. Careful training and
pruning are of the utmost importance to achieve good resu lts
with these plants. Those species which produce their flowers
on presioul> yeal's growth, such as C. armaltdii and C. mOltialta.,
sh.Quld not be pruned until the flowering season is over. On
the other hand, species like C. jacklllQlli and C. uiticella whose
flowers arc borne on the current year's growth arc often
pruned severely in early spring.
CLerod endron spfenden s

Clerodendron belongs to the same family as the popular

garden plant Verbma. The genus Clerodendrol! is well represented in Indian gardens because of the great beauty of several
of its species which however are not Yery well defined, there
being a lot of confusion about their nomenclature. Some of
these are among the most likeable of garden p lants and
compete with others for pride of place. The most characteristic

54

n E AUT I F U L

c.; LIM n E R S 0 FIN 0 I A

features of these plants, whether shrubs or climbers

which make it easy to identify them are: the shape of theil
corolla wh ich is narrowly tubular at the base and cup shaped
above; th.e long stamens which stick prominently out of the
flowers; and their beautiful leaves which in most cases are
arranged in twos opposite each other. The flowers are in
some cases sweetly fragrant, their colour varying with the
species. Beautiful as the flowers are, the leaves in some species
are no less attractive with their dark green pigmentation,
Large size and reticulate vein pattern. The two best known
climbing species in India are described below:
C. splendens: The plants of chis species are relativel y
dwarf-growing bu t I ha\'e seen specimens which have climbed
up to about 15 to 20 fect in height, with considerable lateral
spread. This species produces flowers of exceeding beauty
which a lmo~t hide the handsome leaves when the plant is in
full bloom. The dazzling colom is a crimson with a biting
touch of vermilion. For the plains of northern India, there are
few climbers as excitingly beautiful as this.
C. thomsollae: A native cf West Africa, this species is again
a fin.e representative of th.e genus Clerodendron, from the point
of view of ornamental appeal. The plant is a tall evergreen
climber which produces its nu merously lovely Dowers, with
their white calyces and crimson corollas, during the rainy
season; a very elegant and decorative climber.
In India, the species of Clerodendron are grown almost
throughout the country. The ordinary garden soil sui ts them
well but to achieve very good results, it should be enriched
with plenty of leaf mould. The plants need a lot of water
d uring the season of ac):ive growth and do better if they are
shaded partly . The different species arc propagated by means
of cuttings, suckers or seeds.

Cliioria ternatea
MUSSEL SHELL CREEPER

C. tematea is an evergreen twiner which is populal- on

account of the ease with which it can be grown and the

DES C RIP T ION

0 F

S 0 ~I ElM P 0 R TAN TeL I M R E R s

55

attractive colour of the flowers. The flo\o\'ers, deep indigo blue,

light purple or white, and with the corolla resembling a
butterfly, are extremely pretty, and continue to be produced
over most of the year. Furth er \'ariation in flowers is provided
by the presen.ce of beautiful markings on one of the petals
and by the occurrence of single and double forms. The leaves
divided into five leaflets are alternately arranged. The plant
which is nei ther too large nor too small can be trained with
good effect on a tl'ellis work.
India is the nati\'e land of C. lemalea and wild [arms occur
in some areas; but it has now achieved a wide distribution
in the warmer parts of tile world and also to some extent in
the te mperate regions where it is g rown as a greenhouse
climber. A light loamy soi l is recommended for tlte
plants w hi ch a re most commonly raised from seeds
sown during the rainy season. Notwith~tanding their
perennial habit, it is llsual to treat them as annuals in
the garden.

GLoriosa superba
CLIMB1:\G GLORY LILY

C. superba or Glory Lil y is a delicatc twiner, gl'Owing in

the garden or in the wild, and as soon as the summer rains
start, compels attenti on and rewards t he onlooker with a
wonderful display of fragile colourful flowers, pale gree n
leaves a nd a herbaceous soft stem. Borne on long slender
stalks which are cur ved slightly at their tips, the flowers are
made conspicLlollS, if n ot c harmingly odd, by the six long
nanow petals with frilled margins a nd a changing colour.
Pale yel low when the bud first op ens, the petals develop a
touch. of deep orange on their tips which ultimately spreads
along their e n tire length. The flowers have a luminous
appearance, reminiscent of lighted Chinese lanterns. Consistent with this oddit y is the behaviour of the curved an thers
which a re comple tely lhrown ou t of the floral axis, pointing
irregularl y in all directions. The leaf bJades, soft, smooth,

56

BE A UT IF U L

CLI MB ERS

OF

INDI A

bright and lens-shaped are directly attached to the weak

stem and terminate in spiralising tendrils.
The Glory Lily with all its peculiar external features is
delightfully different from other climbers; with its soft foliage
and flowers which are not too many to lose their
individuality, is very restful to the eyes in the hot summer
months.
The plant is indigenous to India and a common sight in the
countryside du ri ng the rainy season. The aerial parts d ie down
with the onset of cold weathcr, thc underground tuberous
rhizome remaining dormant during this period . For cultivation in the garden, the selected rhizomes should be pottcd
in the late winter months taking great care of the roots which
a l'e easil y i~ur ed. A good loamy soil, with plenty of peat or
leaf mould to make it light, is considered ideal. The plant
has to be watered freely dming the growing period. Propagation is achie"cd by seeds also.
Hiptage madabJofa
MADHAV[ LATA

Hip/age madablota is a well-known evergreen climbing

shrub, which is noted, above all, fOI' its large size, and which
reveals its real heauty during the late winter months when
it is laden with large trusses of pleasantly perfumed fto\overs .
In the Gitagovinda, the limbs of the beautiful Radha are compared to the flowers of this shrub. The plant, attaining a height
of nearly 15 feet and having leaves which are about six inches
long and nearly haJf as broad, takcs lot of space and requires a
heavy support for climbing. The flowe rs occurring in term inal
and axillary groups arc of relatively small size, covered with
soft silky hai)'s on most parts and have a corolla which is
consti tuted of four equal and one very much smaller petal.
This latter is of a golden colour in contrast to the white of the
other four. Another very distinctive feature of the flowers is
that of their ten anthers, one is very much longer than the rcst.
The dark g reen leaves, smooth in texture and with long

/8. Cloriosa superba

[9. I7cquellloJ!/ia penlalLlha

20. ]aslIlinu17l gralldiJlorum

2 J.

LOllicera japollica

DES C RIP T r ON

0 F

S 0 MEl ~ r P 0 R T A :-I T e L r M B E R S

6I

pointed tips arc arranged opposite each othel' in pairs, forming

a "err dense foliage,
H. madablota is indigenous to India and commonly met
with in many gardens in the country. The prant is easily
propagated by seed or layers and grows well w ith little care.
The soil mixture generally recommended is a good loam with
plenty of leaf mould.
Jacquernontia pentantha (J. violacea)

]. pentantha is a twining plant which combines in it many

of the virtues of the well-known Ipollleas-m embers of the
same family, C01ll!olvulaceae. The plant produces flowers,
which are bell-shaped and of a most beau tiful, ultramarine blue, almost the whole year round. They are
not "ery large but their number makes up for what they
lack in size. T he leaves in ]. pentantha are of a distinctive
shape, very much broader at the base and tapering t owards
the tip.
]. pentantlta with its sm all size whic h makes it an ideal
plant to manage, a nd a g reat propensity for flower formation ,
is an obvious choice for trellises and arbours. A native of
tropical America, it h as now spread very widely. Few climbers
g row as readily and under more variable conditions. A well
manured compost has been recommended [or this plant but
its capacity to do well u nder even the least fa vourable co nditions is truly astounding. Both seeds and cuttings serve equally
well for propagation.
Jasminum grandijlorum
TIlE JASMI KE

The numerous species of the genus ]asmilllun are justl y

famous [or their ha ndsome foliage, soft white flowers and a bove
all for the perfuTUe produced from them. The j asmine is
specially a pp recia ted in India where most people have a
love [or fragrant flowers; the fragrance of the jasmine is one
of the m ost prized scents in this country. Few other climbing

62

BAUT[FUL CL1MBERS

OF

INDIA

shrubs or for that matter plants belonging to any other group

bear blossoms with sllch sweet lingering fragrance. One of the
best known species is grandiJlorllm ,,,hich is popular both as a
pretty climber and as a source of the jasmine scent for which
it is widely grown, particularly in France. \Vith its active
g rowth habit, the plant spreads easil y and produces a large
number of white blossoms during the hot summer months.
The bright gl'een leaves divided into a number of leaflets
are arranged opposite eaeh other and bear short branches
in their axils, ""hich terminate in numerous conical buds.
The flowers, with their pale green sepais, gripping the
cylind rical corolla tube which opens out into a star-shaped
arrangement of (i"e petals, arc lovely to look at and refreshing
to stand nearby.
Northern India is thc native home of J. grandiflorum but
its pl-esent distribution includes part of Europe where the
climate is mild. The plant is not at all difficult to grow
and is best propagated by cuttings of nearly ripe wood
or by layers. The fast g rowi ng branches however have
to be pruned quite severely with the onset of the winter
season to encourage floral development 1I1 the later
months.
Apart from grandiflorum, several other species of ]asmillum
enjoy wide popularity. ] . oJficillale with its slender stem,
shining leaves and fragrant white flowers which occur in
terminal clusters, not unlike those of gralldif/orutll though
smaller in size, is the common jasmine. ]. sambac with its
double-flowered varieties and commonly known as lIlotia or
mogra is a shrub which, however, can be trained as a climber.
A pleasant contrast to the white-flowered species is provided
by]. humile which bears bright yel low flo wers which are
mildly fragrant. ]. primulinllTn has lal"ge yellow flowers which
are very a ttractive, but unfortunately there is no scent. There
are numerous other species some of 'which are very attractive
but the nomenclature of these is rather in a confused state and
it is difficult to obtain authentically named specimens in this
country.

DES C RIP T ION

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63

Lonicera japon ico

L. Japollica or Japanese Honeysuckle as it is commonly
known is a favourite in most Indian gardens because of its
exceedingly beautiful and sweet-scented flowers which are
produced in such large numbers during the winter months.
The plant rambles extensiYely and displays its beauty to the
best advantage if allowed to g row o n a trellis-work or on
small trees. The flowers, white at first and turning yellowish
later, are arranged in pairs in the axil of leaves, the co rolla
taking the form of a narrow slender tube which opens out
into two unequal l ips. There is a variety culti vated in the hill
stations which d ocs not show any yellowness but is flushed
with rcddish crimson. The male and female parts remain
sufficiently apart from each other and thlls ensure cross
poll ination which is further helped b y the glandular secretion
at the base of the flowers for attracting insects. The attractive
flowers are set off in theil' lo\'eliness by the green leaves
with whit ish undersides which are arranged opposIte each
other, too close to the stem to be properly petioled. There is
a variety reported by Firminger, aurea reticula/a, which has very
beautiful yel low-netted leaves.
L. Japollica as its name implies is a native of Japan as well
as of nearby China, but it is now widely distributed in India.
The plant is easy to grow and propagate, requir ing hardly
any special attention. The climbing species of this genus
unlike the bushy ones a re best kept out of too much sun and
should be watered well. Layering and cuttings are both very
effective for rapid propagation.
A second species, I,onicera semjJervircns or Trumpet Honeysuckle as it is popularly called, is a lso very well-known because
of its scarlet but scentless flowers wh ich occu r in large clusters.

Pharbitis purpurea (Ipomea rubro-caeru[ea)

HEAVE~LY

BLUE DAY GLORY

The Morning Glories and the Day Glories constitute some

of our most charming climbers. This group of plants includes

6+

BEAUTIF\'L

CLIMBERS

OF

INDIA

both perennial and anllual forms; some arc tuberous-rooted

while many others have fibrou~ roots. Everyone has heard
of the Japanese :\1()rnin~ Glories. This nower has been glorified in Japall, and p lant breeders have produced an astonishing range of forms varying from v;'lrieties with small nowel's
to others ',ith blooms as much as eight inches across; some
are frilled, SOrTie are streaked and altogether the array of
form~ is dazzling.
While the Morninf.{ Glory opens early in the dar and
closes relati\'el) quickly, there arc forms which keep their
blooms open for the greater part of the day. These are sometimes referred to as the Day Glories.
Pharbilis putpurea, commonlr known as the IIea\'enly Blue
Day Glory, is one of the best which is usually sawn in .JulyAugust and produces masses of large exquisitely beautiful
flowers, reminiscent of the firmament on a clear spring day.
Another attractive way of growing this "ariety is to plant it
on stakes of ham boos aboLlt eigh t feet high, to which cross-bars
of about 2! fcet aCl"oss have been nailed; for this purpose Ihe
sowing should he done at the end of Aug-ust in order to limi t
the growth. The effect of such a planting is enhanced if
H eavenly Blue is alternated with another attraeti\'e climber,
Mirza foba/a, deserihed on the next page. The Heavenly
Blue Day Glory is easily propagated [rom seeds a nd is best
grown. as an annua l.
Another a ttraeti,'c Day Glory is one which is named as
Scarlett 0' Jlara. This has flowers o[ an attractivc clear light red.
Another \'ariety is Pearly Cales which is almost white in colom .
.:\'" umcrolls otlter forms occlir, some of thcse bloom at night;
one of the latter is sometimes called the Good Kight Flower its sce nted ilowers open late in. the evening and close before
dawn.
Ipoll/ea llOrsfalliae with its sparkling crimson nowers provides
a beautiful contrast to other members of the group. Though
popular in l'.lysore and .\ladras, it is not so well known in the
north of I ndia. In Delhi, the low temperature pre"ents the
opening of the buds which are produced in the early cold

22. Lonicera ,empeTl'irms

23 Pharbitis var. Cornell

DESCRIPTION

OF

SOME

I:\fPORTANT

CL IMB ERS

67

weather. This species howeve r is difTicu lt to propagate a nd

the usual practi ce is to graft it on the rOots of somc others of
the gen us.
Pharbilis leari (Tjlomea leari ) is said to have been introduced
from Buenos Aires. This is a magnificent climber, capable
of cO\'cring a la rge space and providing a wealth of la rge
beautiful blue llowers, somcwhat similar to those of H e;wenly
Blue.
rpomea pa!mata is grown because of its easy luxurious growth
and delicate short-lived flowers, which blooming in the
morning, se n 'c to rclie\'e the drabness o f many a railway
platform in the co untry. Its common name of Railway
Creeper is based on. these assoc iations with time and place.
The pla nt is an evergreen perennial shr ub which conti nues
to produce flowe rs almost the whole year round. The flowers,
soft and salver-shaped, arc a shade of light purple and OCC Ul"
in clusters of 2 3. VVith its numerOus flowers a nd refres h ingly
g reen leaves which a re deeply incised into lobes of diffe rent
sizes, the p lan t lends itself to d eco rating the house or beaUlifying the ga rden in a variety of ways. Ho"ve\'er, it is too
common a subject to attract the attention of the connoisseur,
especially as man y more handsome climbers a re available.
The origin of 1. pa!lIIata is rather obscure but it has very
wide di stribution in the tropi cal and subtropica l parts of the
world. The plant is one of the easiest to cultivate, a fact
which is largely responsible for its popula ri ty. Ideall y it is
grown in a ri ch loamy soil with a lot of water and plenty of
sunshine. It has h owever a treme ndous capaci t y to do wc} l
under adverse conditions. Propaga tion is done mostl y by
cuttings or layers and nuel y by secds.
Yet another species of Ipomea which can be relied upon to
produce a most colourful effect is Ipomea l'crsico[or or Mina
lobata with whicll it l5 synonymous. Its flowers, bright crimson
to beg in w ith g raduall y change to yellow - a behaviour
reminiscent of some other plants. They do not however
differ much in their form from those of other species, except
that the tubular part of their corolla appears to be somewhat

68

B E AUT I F U L

eL I M B E R S

0 FIN D I A

blown up. Their stamcns protruding Vt'ry much out, identify

versicolor [rom othc r popular spccies.

Passijlora racer.nosa
P.\SSIO:\' FLOWER

The genus Passiflora comprises a group o[ plants, which is

known as much for t he great beauty of se\eral of its members
a nd the delicately fl avoured fruits which some of the species
produce, as [or its lcgendary significance. Few a mong these
h owever can stand compariso n with P. racemOsa as a gardcn
climber of surpassing charm. The plant produccs deep red
flowers in gay abundance during the hot monsoon days;
these having a structure which has much to do w ith their
p opular name. Some of the more zealous and imaginative
of the early missionaries in South America, saw in their form
a represen.ta tion of the implements used in the cruci fixion
of Christ and p ro posed the name passion, meaning suffering,
which these indicated. The flowers are borne singly in an
alternate arrangement on shor t floral branches which are
v isibl)' bent with thcir weight. Thc flowers, apart from
having five sepals and an equal number of petals, a lso possess
a triple ring of slender o ut-growths variously described as
rays, processes o r filaments, constituting togcther what is
known as the cor ona, which lies between thc essential and
non-essential parts of thc flower. In this particular species,
the decp red colour of the petals is pleasantly contras ted wi th
the colour of the corona filaments which are w hite on the
upper sidc and blue on the lowcr. The leaves in P. racemosa are
three-lobed, c harmingl)" g reen in appearance and with
tendrils in their axils, whic h help the plant to climb easily,
making it an excellent decoration for walls, arches, etc.
Like all oth er passio n flowers, the specics racemosa has its
na tive h ome in S. America but is now cultivated widely in
tropical and sub-tropi cal parts of the world and commonl y
met with in India n gardens. The ordinary garden soil not
too rich in manure suits thcm well, provided there is plenty

DES C RIP T ION

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S 0 MEl M P 0 R TAN T e L 1MB E R s

69

of watering and free drainage. When the flowering is over, the

plant is thinned out and shortened to encourage vegetative
growth and flowering for next year. Propagation is done
by means of seeds or layers.
A second species of Passiflora which is considered by many
to be even more beautiful than racemoJa is caerulea or the Blue
Passion F lower. This is an evergreen climber with an immense
capacity for growth with the result that it can attain a good
height and cover a large area. The large flowers with their
whitish green sepals and petals, and corona whose rays are
purple, white and blue in parts, are most showy and make the
plant so very popular. Thcy are also deliciously scented. It is
readily propagatcd by seed, cuttings or layers .

Petrea vOlubi lis

THE PURPLE. WREATH

P. volubilis or Purple \Vreath is a most beautiful shrubby

climber w ith a wealth of elegant flowers, whose exquisite
light mauvc colour goes \'ery well with their soft silken look.
The flowers are attracti\'e enough individually but an'angcd
together on short floral branches, as they arc found in nature,
their eharm is even greater. The part of the flower that
excites this admiration however is not the corolla which is
literally dwarfed by the mauve star shaped calyx. The sholt
petals are of a much deeper colour and surrounded completely by the sepals, give the impression of two types of
flowers, one superimposed on the other. The impression
however is short lived as the calyx persists for a much longer
time than the corolla. The leaves of P. volubilis, large in si;>;e
and rough in texture, are arranged in twos opposite each
other. A further distinguishing lCature of the plll.J1t is its gr~y
bark. Flowering in earl y spring, the plant is commo nl y grown
as a climber but it also lends itself to t raining as a standard.
Tropical America is the homeland of P. volubilis from where
it has spread to other parts of the tropics. The p lant is best
grown ill. rich garden soil and easily propagated by means of

70

BEAUTIFUL

CL D1BE RS

OF

I XDIA

cuttings, layers or sllckers. The cu ttings are taken from the

dormant wood when it is beginning to put up new growth
and planted in sandy soils.
In the pla ins of northern India where Wistaria d oes not
fl ower very well, Petrea is a n excellent substitute. In [act m a ny
people mistake this plant, when in bloom, for the II islaria.
There is no dO llbt that a mature plant of Petrea with its large
trusses o[ the loveliest colo ur provides a most enchanting
spectacle.
Porana paniculata
BRID.\L 1I0CC!_UET OR .. S.\FED HEL "

Parana /wlliculala is a woody twi nc,' whose white flowers

though " e ry small, occu r in slIch profuse abundance on
closely-g rou ped floral axcs that they m a nage to produce
a most sh owy effect. Their fragrance morcover is an added
attraction. The plant with its shrubby habit a nd vigorous
growth is Llsually trained on pillars a nd simila r struc tures.
E ach individual flower has a cha racte risti call y funnel- like
corolla, narrow and tube-like at the base, wide and c upshaped above. The leaves a re dark gree n in col our, la rge
in size, and more or less h ea rt-shaped in appearance, with
a ver y pointed apex. They are of a rough texture and alte rnatel y a rranged on a stiff stem, g iving the plant a somewhat
coarse look when it is not in bloom.
The native home of P. paniculala is not known for certain
b\\t it is on. record that this, as well as the t,\'o sister species
P. racemasa and P. volubilis , fOllnd their way into Europe and
in seve ral other countl'ies of't he world f!"Om India, more than
a hundred years ago. A compost of sa nd >' loam and leaf
m ould has been particu lar l>, r ecommend ed [or these plants.
They are easily propagated by cuttings.
Quisqualis indica
R,,:\GOOX CREEPER

Q. i71dica is one o[ the better knovvn ga rden climbers and

although its name is reponed

to

have been coined to express

24. Ipomea versicolO1

25. P(Hsij/rlTll illc(lmala

......

27. P e/rfO I/o/ubi/i.\

DES c: R II' T I 0 '"

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S () MEl ~I I' 0 R TAN T

c: 1. 1 M n E R

75

astonishm{'nt at its odd behaviour, the plant {'\okes wonder

and admiration more than any other emotion. Abo known
as the Rangoon Creeper, its flowers are a rare combination
()f deep reddish pink, soft texture and ridt perfume . . .\s the
flower eolom c!e\elops gradually, the five petals being- almo~t
completely colourless at the time 01 openi ng 01 tlte bud, both
the reddish pink and white flowers arc often present together,
a fact which (IInhc!' ell/lances the beauty of this C\'crgrecn
<:limber. The flowers arc produced in large groups almost
throll.ghoul (he rear alJd Ol1e of their most characteristic
feature is the unusually dong-ated cal)x tube which is apt to
he mistaken for a true stalk. The so-called odd beha\'iour
of the plant is reflected in its peculiar growlh habit,
its cun'ed spines which enable it to climb in the absence
of tendrils, and in its ('hanging flc)\wr colour. The leaves
in this, as in many other climbers, are arranged in twos,
and with their fresh green appearance, set ofT the flo\\ers
to a perfect display. The plant with its large size and
woody stem is best trained on a trellis work or Oil a
tree.
There is a variety avai lable which keeps the red c()lour of
its flowers throughout. There is also a variet), not widely
known but quile beautiful, wh ich is practicall r plfre wllite.
In other rc~pccts it is like the common Q.]ti~qllalis illdica and
also retains the lovel)" hag-ranee of the latter. There is also a
variety, Qjtisqllalis 11Ialabarica, which has smallcr flo\\ ers than
the common type.
The eastern home of Q. indica is ]\[alayasia hut the plant
is also known to be indigenollS to parts of Africa. Its wide
d istribution coyers many tropical and sub- tropical parts
of the world and it is a common feat u re of m a ny I nd ia n
gardens. The plant clo('s \\ ell in light soils and it is
uSlial to p rune it scverdy after tht" more profuse flnsh
of flowering is completed. P ropagat ion can he achieved
in a variety of ways, more commonly with cutlin~s but
also by means of layers or by planting ou t parts of t he
root.

76

BF.AUTIFl"L CLI\lBERS OF

l:-;()IA

Climbing R oses and Ramblers

I t has been said of t he rose that, .. It fills every requirement
for the perfect n()I\cr. Its viltIles ha,'e been sung br poets
throu~hout the a~es as well as b) flo\\ er girls in our streNs.
It is bdovecl by CI'<'I') body, I t is gro\\'n everywhere from the
gardens of the palace to the \\'a11s of a white-washed cottage,
from the bed in front ofa suburban villa to the formal sunken
garden of an ancestral mansion.
\\'hen one th inks ofa rose garden, in th is country, howevcr,
one llsnall) thinks of the bush roses and the standards. But,
the ~erllfS ROJa includes also mallY beautiful forms which
climb or ramble. I t is usua l to apply the term rambler to
those forms 1\ hich produce large clmters of small flowcrs,
something like lhe flowers of a P()lyantha rose. The name
climber on the other hand is usually applied to those climbin~
roses which produce flower~ singly or in twos or threes (in a
few Cases lanser clusters may be produced) . From time to
time, some of the well-kn/Jwn bllsh \'arictics gi,c rise to a
climbing .. sport ". From this is originated a climbing rWie
which otherwise retains all the characteristic points of the
plant of the parent stork from \\ hid1 it anIse.
T here arc many wild speries of climbing roses to be found
especially in the cooler regions of the world including the
Himalayas. ~Iany of them are quite ornamental with
abundant b lossom, and some of t hem ha\'e beautiflll fruits
or .. hips ., whirh turn orange or red ill colour on ripe ning.
It has been shown that these arc a rich SOurce of vitamin C.
H owever, thcre is no doubt. that with the wealth of climbers
a n d rambl ers p rodllced by the rose breeders, it is seldom thal
the wild roses are made lise of except in large parks.
Some roses slIeh as . Imfrican Pillar have only a limited
ca pacity for clim bing : these a rc called p illar roses and they
are \'CIT Ilseflll f()r clothing a pillar or :1 rence \~ith exquisite
b loom . . \s just mentioned, there is a large wealth of climbing
and rambling roses avai lable. These are placed in various
species or grou ps by the botanist. To give an account of these
would occupy much space and probabJy would not interes t

DESCRIPTION

OF SO .M E

IMPORTJ\1\"T

CLfMllERS

77

the average ~ardcner \-cry much, In I ndia it is necessary to

consider roses for the hills and the plains separately,
In the hills, the ramblers grow 10 perfection and indeed
part of the charm of our hill stations in early slimmer is the
riot of colour \\ hich these lm'ely plants exhibit. "\ few of the
well-known names of ramblers, both old and new are:
TausmdrdlOfl, D(lro"o' Perkin,r, ]:'ro!l,i !l'lillt', JJiawalho, Mrrmoid,
Bla:t, and Paul' s Scarlet Climber, Some of the climbers also do
well in the hills,
I n the plains on the other hand the ramblers disappoint.
They produce a lot of\egetative growth, bllt may lIot nower
at all. If they do flower, the quantity of bloom is limited and
is produced at a time when hot winds scorch the delicate
petals: at lea5t this is the cast' in the plains of northern India,
Of the climbing \'arirties also, only a "ery small number,
under plains conditions, produce sufficient bloom to justify
their cultivation , Pride of place, in the plains, must perhaps
be !(i\'en 10 the helO\ ed old yellow \'ariet), ,V/arechal ,\ 'iel, This
rose is most dependable as it produces t\\'o or three flushes of
well-shaped golden-yellow {lowers exhaling a most delieioliS
fragrance, Another \ariety which is dcpendable is tilt' one
called lomordc, This produces Hhiw n()wer,~, ~JigJlll}' tinted
with cream, in quite large cl llster~, The flowers have a
light but pleasant perfume,
Another \'ariety bclonl!;in!!; to a different class is Pros/1erit)',
This produces farge trusses of very double whitt' {lowers,
tinted light pink in the bud, Yet another good climber of the
same group is Pelle/ope, \\'hen first opening it shows a delightful
shade of salmon pink but rapidly bleaches to \\ hite, Its
musky perfume carries over a wide distancc,
Generally speaking, climbing roses and ramblers may be
g-rown in the same way as bush roses, But as regards prunin~
they requ ire difTerent treatment. In the case of climhers,
it is sumcient to cut out dry and twiggy gro\",th and to do
cnoug-h thinning to keep the plants \\ ithin bounds and in
{!,ood shape, [n the case of ramblers and special types like
ProsperiO, and l't'fle/(Jj7e the old stems which have finished

78

BEAUTIFUL

CLIMBERS

OF INDIA

flowering should be cut out from the base as these wi ll not

flower again.
Climbing roses and ramblers may be propagated in the
same way as bush roses. In a few cases cuttings are successful,
but for most varieties it is advisable to bud or graft the desired
variety on a suitable stock. In the p la ins of northern India,
Edouard is the stock commonly employed. In Bihar and
Bengal a briar stock is used and it is wiser to go by local
experience in the matter.
Solanum wendlandii

The genus Solaman which contains some important vegetables like the potato and the brinjal, also provides a number
of beautiful garden plants including some climbers. Of these,
S. wendlandii, a relatively recent introduction in this country
is undoubtedly the most beautiful. A tall climber, it has an
imposing appearance with its large lilac blue Rowers which
are assembled on repeatedly branched floral axes, bending
down wi th their weight. Very regular in their form, each
flower is constituted b y a yel"), short calyx and a rather la rge
paper-thin corolla which has its five lobes very much spread
out as if stretched mechanically. The leaves in S. wendlandii
a re. variously defted and a!ternately arranged, and with
their brilliant green colour provide an excellent background
for the flowers to display their bcauty.
The plant is a native of Costa Rica but adapted to do well
in most tropical and sub-tropical parts of the wo rld. Tn I ndia,
it appears to succeed best in Ollr hill stations and in cool
portions of the D eccan tableland. It can be multiplied by
seed or more easil y by cuttings taken from ripe wood and
planted in a sandy soi l. It has been known to grow wet!
under a variety of conditions, although it has been suggested
that it prefers partial shade.
A second species of So/anum which is also a pop ular climber
is jasminoides or the Potato Vine producing star-shaped
Rowers of fa in tly bluish white colour in large clusters througho ut the summer months.

28. OJlisqualis indica

29. A deep pink rambler rose

30. :\ li g ht pi nk rambler rose

31. ) o!mlll III jalllliILuidn

DES C RIP T rON

0 F

S0 M

IMP () R TAN T e L r M R E R S

83

Yet another species, S. seajorlhiallum ha~ clllsters of pretty

purple flowers and is succeeded by crimson berries.

Strophanthus grotus (RoupeJlio grato)

CREAM FRUIT TREE

The famil}' Apoc)'naceae, the vcr)' soul of generosity, has

presented us wi th a gronp ()f climbers which include such
gems as Allalllallda and B ealllllolLlia. A worthy member of this
distinguished group is Slrophnllllllls grallis. This climbing plant
is at its best as a s('andent shrub, producing white-coloured
flowers with a touch of pink borrowed from the rose. The
bloom~, large and sweetly fragrant, arc produced in closel),
grouped clusters during the hotter part of dIe rear. In addition
to the petals, which arc attractive enough, the five lobes
of the corolla open out broadl), displaying with good effect
the pink corona . The leaves in Strophanthus, arranged opposite
each other, present a deeply green and brightly polished
appearance. The plant, growing frec]y as it does, req llires
lot of space and a large garden is often necessary in order
that it may be in harmony with its surroundings. When such
facilities are not available se\'ere pruning is commonl),
practised.
The species is a native of\\'estern Africa from where it has
migrated to the ot her hotter regions of the world. Its cultivation presents no special problem, the ordinary garden soil
mixed with sand and leaf mould meets the requirements. The
plant also needs liberal irrigation during the summer months.
It is p"opagated by cuttings planted during the rainr period.

Tecomoria capensis (Tecoma capensis)

This ge nus belongs to a gTOlip well known for its many
garden plants, some of which are erect shrubs, others climbers
of a most showy type. The species capf1lsis belonging to the
latter group comprises rambling plants, whose exquisite
flowers and lovely g reen leaves make them a " mllst " for the
connoisseur in this line. The orange-coloured flowers have a

84

B E AUT r F U L

CL

rM

BE RS 0 F

DI 0 I A

long tubular corolla ,,hich appears somewhat inflated at the

tip before it bursts opcn into four lobes, One somewhat mOre
prominent than. the others. The clustering of the Howers on
short terminal branches is responsible for the effect which
makes these plants so desirable. The Jeaves in TccomaJ are
fully in keeping witl\ their atLractive blossoms. Di\ ided into
a nllmber of leaflets having toothed margins and with their
clear green colour, they are most refreshing to look at. FloweriJlg almost throughout the year, the p lant can be trained on
vcrandah walls or albours and by cal'e[ul pruning it can C\'en
be grown as a shrub.
The nati"e home of T. ca/mlSis is brlieyed to be ~ . Africa
but its present distribution is world-wide. Tecomas require
a rich soil of light type which permits free drainage, They
should also be kept well exp()~ed to sunlight and given lots
of water. The plant is propagated by means of clIttings taken
from wood whieh is not too ripe.
Another species formerJ~' p laced tindel' Tecall/a which
dese rves particular men tion is Call1/Jsis chillensis ( Tecoma
grandijlora), " 'ith its deep orange-coloured flowers which
arc produced in great profusion, t he plant presents aver)'
pretty sight especially when grown on a tree or a shrub, The
corolla in lilis case is characterised bi' VCI'Y nwch broader
lobes a nd a shor t tubular base. One drawback, howeve r, of
this species is that where t he winter is severe it shcds its leaves
d u ring the cold season, exposing its bare stems, I t is easily
propagated from the suckers which spring up near the base of
t he plant. Yet another climbing species is Palldorea jasminoides
( Tecomajasminoirles) which is remarkable fo r its neatly arranged
heautirul leaAet~ and rosy white flowers . This is propagated
by cu tti ngs made d uring the rains, Many beautiful specimens
of t his plant can be seen in Bangalore,

Til unbergia grandiftora

T. grandiJlara is a plaut " h ich combines in

j t man }' of the

qua lities of a good climbe r : lovely fl owers, a hardy p erennial
growth habit, dense foliage and an abilitr (0 do well under

DES C It I P T ION

0 F

S 0 1\1 E

I ~l P 0 R TAN T

(; L 1 1\1 B E R S

85

condi tions "hich a l'e not too difficult to provide. Leaves

however tend to be coa rse in m()st ThullbergiaL Its name of
H ea\'enly Blue is based on its sky-coloured sparkling blossoms,
The plant \\'ich i(s extensi\'e ~ro\\"th, forms a curtain of dark
grecn foliae;e wh ich selTCS admirably as a co\'('r for walls,
t ree', etc, The Ro \., ers, with their large fi \ e-Iobed corolla, arc
produc('d on (enninai nOI'al IJf'ancllcs and Jess often in the
axiJs of leavcs on the main axis, Apart from their pred ominantly hlue colour, thc pctals are beautified with a touch.
of whi te and a touc h of ycI low in the short tll !>ular part of the
corolla and at the ba~c of the fi\'c lobes, Surrounding the
Ilo~\ C('S completel>' bcf()re they open, are t\\() fleshy ~rccn bracts
which appear to take the place of a vcry milch reduced calyx,
The 1<:,\\'es of T. grOlldijloro arc pointed at the tips and very
mu ch broader at the hase, so that they arc easily recognised
as h eart-shaped, Dark g reen with age, they are arranged
opp()site each other and their l a rge blades attempt somewhat
unslIccessfull) to divide into a nu mber of lobes,
The orig ina l home of this climber is Eastern India but it
has esta blished itself successfully in many parts of the world ,
As the most characteristic feature of the plant is its extensive
g rowth, a close and ca reful pruning is l'cq uired to make it
flower easily, Like all Tltunbelgias, the sp(;cies grandiflora
grows to pedection in a fibrous loam enriched with manure,
Under Inciian conditions, the plant requires plentyofwatering,
As the roots take up a lot of space, Thllllbergias arc seldom
g rown ill pots, They a re easily propagated by seeds or' br
clltti ngs a nd layers during the rainy season,
Apa r t from gralldijloro the genus includes sevcral other
species which are handsome climbers or shrubs, An annual
climber with se\'eral varieties ha \ ing ) ellow or white flower)
with a purple or bJackish eyc in the centre (Black-eyed Susan)
is T. ala/a, T, fragrans with snow-white flowers is a nother
annual species whose plants are usually grown in pots. Two
m ore species which, however, arc al most as extensive in their
growth as grandiJlora are mysoTeIIsis and laurifolia, the first
having large racemes of beautiful flowers combining various

86

B E AUT I F U L

eLI M B E R S

0 FIN D J A

shades of orange, yellow, red and purple; the second differs

from gralldiJlora in having smaller leaves and flowers which are
more deeply blue.

Trachelospermum jasminoides
(Rhyncospermum jasminoides)
T. Jasmil!oides is a delicately-formed climbing shl'ub whose
pure white, deliciously fragrant flowers make it a most desirable plant to have about the house. Laden with myriads of
jasmine-like blossoms in the hot summer months, th e plant
is refreshing to behold and revives the spirits. An evergreen
climber, it ma kes a rcasonabte amount of growth. In view
of i ts free-growing habit and pretty foliage, the plant is trained
by some in the form of a compact bush. The flowers borne on
long peduncles have five sep a ls which are small and spread
out, and a corolla with a short tubular base and a star-shaped
upper portion which is irregular, but artistically so, in its
outline. The leaves, which a l'e dark green and smooth with
beautifully patterned veins are shortly petioled and arranged
opposite each other.
Originally from China, T. jasrninoides is so well adapted
to our conditions that India may be considered its second
home. Although the plant is not very sensitive in the matter
of its soil requirements, it takes several years to develop a
good size specimen. Propagation however is easily done by
cuttings of half ripe wood or by means of layers during the
rainy season.
A grea t merit of this climber, which belongs to the
Apocynaceae, a family characterised by milky juice which
exudes wherever the plant is wounded, is its ability to thrive
in shady positions.

Wistaria sinensis (W. chinensis)

THE GRAPE FLOWER VI:\,E

Wistaria is a name to conjul'e with. It is often considcl'cd

to be the Queen of Flowering Vines. It is a woody climber

.32. Solanum seajorthianu11l

33. SolaltulII l('eIIe/tarulil

3-1. Stro/J{wlltlcur !!.Tt1fuS

35 Campsis chincnsis

DESCRIPTIO"

OF

SOME

IMPORTANT

CLIMIlERS

91

which can also be grown as a miniature tree because of its

extensive growth habit, dense foliage and the thickness and
height of its stem. The aggregation of flowers with their
lovely colour on long drooping floral branches makes the
Wistarias most attractive, a ll the m ore so because of the
harmonising effect of the alternately arranged long compound le:lVes having 7-11 silky-haired heautiful green
leaflets . It is d ifficult even to imagine a spectacle more
enchanting than these plants in the sLi mmer months, covered
almost completely by a canopy of literally thousands of
blossoms . No wonder that the TI'istarias ha\'e been considered
as the pride of formal gardens. The corolla has a form which
the botanists call pa pilionaceous, that is, like a butterfly; tlus
type of flower is also found in the common garden sweet pea.
The Wistaria with its stem thickness of up to 8 inches in
diameter and a height which may in extreme cases reach over
100 feet or more, is not su itable for training on a trellis work.
It is best to have it on walls, porches or on tall trees. Even this
arrangement may present a space problem an d severe pruning
is often necessary. To grow the plant as a shrub, it is usual to
cut it a little above the ground level, which results in reduced
\'egetative grow th and an increased capacity for flower
formation. The plant can also be grown as a standard by
careful pruning.
The genus has two important species. 1. lI 'islaria sinensis, the
Chinese Wistaria, characterised by large fragrant flowers in
compact clusters of medium leng th. They come into bloom
when very young and a ll the flowers in each cluster open at
about the same time before any leaves appear. 2 . Wistaria
jloribullda, which is better known as J I'islaria multijuga or
J apanese Wistaria, has long slender racemes of smaller flowers.
Those at the top are fully open while the lower ones are only
small unopened buds. This of course lengthens the blooming
period until the leaves are pretty well out.
There is a much wider variety than is generally thought.
Some of the best varieties of Wistaria jloribunda listed by
nurseries in Amelica are given below:

92

BE AUT I F U L eLI Iv! B E R S 0 FIN D I A

Issai : This is a very fine, entirely d istinct variety having

many excellent qualities. Flowers a clear purple, much deeper
colour than in the common Japanese and are borne very
profusely. It is a lso decidedly precocious, coming into bloom
very young. The short, silky seed pods hang on all winter if
not cut off, and are quite.ornamental.
Rosea (Pink Wistaria) : This is a very fine Pink Wistaria.
Clusters about 15 to 18 inches long. Slow to commence
flowering but once started it blooms profusely.
Violacea plena (Double Violet Wistaria) : They are exactly
like dark-coloured purple vio lets borne in clusters about
15 to 18 inches long. Very free bloomer.
LOllgissima: Extra-long-clustered Wistaria. Lavender blue.
Clusters well over four to six feet long.
LOllgissima alba: A pet-fectIy beautiful pure-white form of
the above variety.
Geisha: A very charming variety. The clusters as well as
the individual flowers are smaller than usual, but very prolific.
The effect is delightful and charming. Colour a clear light
lavender; very free flowering.
Royal PUlP Ie : Brilliantly coloured, good-sized clusters of
royal plll"ple; flowers are freely produced, making this one
of the fine and outstanding varieties.
W. sinensis (Chinese 'W istaria) : This is the old favourite
called Chinese Purple, but really lavender shaded blue.
SiuCIlsis alba (White Chinese 'W istaria) : Has white
fragrant flowers.
Vellusta violacea: Brilliantly coloured, good-sized clusters
of royal purple; flowers are freely produced, making this
one of the fine and outstanding varieties.
The Wistaria is now widely grown in Europe and America.
In India, the plant is grown mostly in hill stations or places
in the sub-montane regions like Dehra Dun; it has been
found to flower successfully at Chandigarh. It is reported
that it does not flower well in places like Calcutta.
The plant thrives on a good loamy soil and there is hardly
any need for adding nitrogenous fertilizers. A dressing of

DESCRIPTION

OF SOME IMPORTA)lT CLIMBERS

97

superphosphate dug deep into the soil is however recom~

mended to encourage flowering. The application of fertilizers
is recommended to be done just before the dormant period
as this promotes production of flowers. Severe pruning is also
absolutely essential to encourage floral development, once
in the winter, and, if necessary, later also . For the best results,
l1'istaria must be so placed as to receive full sunshine.
Layering is the most satisfactory method for the propagation
of this plant.

98
T ABLY,
Botanical name

Ago)]osmo car)'oj,h)'lIala

SHOWIKC SOME. lMPORTA:'-IT

Common name

~lalati

Lata

A({mnnnda rafilnrtica
var, scflOttii

\ar, t'iofacea

Alltigo/1011 tepto(luS

A!lligo"ol/ gua/emotellSi
Adsl%eltia degam
Arrabidnm

Sandwich
Climher

] ~Jand

Birlhwol't

magnifica

BalliJ/fria /(Jfl'ijiJ/i(1
BM/1ll10n/ia grnndijloTO

Sepal Trumpet
Climber

\ 'arious shades of
white,
orang<',
pink,
scarlet,
crimson, and purpIe
dt'pending
j
on the \'ariety
Orange
\\'hite \\'ith yellow
cent,.,.
Scarlet

rI

cilill(lHi.\

Cholumorpha IIWCf(IJlil),lla

Cferodmdron Jjlimdem
ClerodflidrOIl fholll)Orllle

Clitoria /(Trw/ell

BUllerlly Pea

C1)'loJ/olli0 billa/lilil
q~'/oJlomo ((/Ilislegi'oides
DoxoJl/lu} unguis-coli
GloriOj(j ~1I/mb(J

Climbing Glory Lily

Hijl/age madabio/(I
horifollioe

Madhavi

II'omto paimola

Railway Creeper

Ipomea

]l1tqut}))l>nfia j>mla!llila

While
Yellow
Ydlow
Pale purple
While to deep
pink in d ifferen t
varieties
Rose colour
Combination
of
purple and white
Rosy purple
Yellow
White

1l

BOligailll'iilM bullialla
BOllgaim iI/en giabra
BOl/gaim illea peTIIl'iana
Bougailll'illea ~pectllbilis
Campsis

Flower coloUl'

Combination
of
red and" l1ilC
White,
purple,
blue
Purple
Yellow
Yellow
Deep yellow and
red
Yellow and white
Crimson
Light purple
O~\!.? M....~

99
CHARACTERS OF

Time of
flowering

CLl~mERS

Light or
heavy

Common method
of propagation

Hea,"y
Light
Light

A
A

Hca\)'

Cutlings
Cuttings or layers
Cuttings Or layers
Cuttings Or layers
Seeds

A
H,R

Light
Light

Seeds
Seeds, cutl inll"s. layers

H
W
W

Heavy
H ra,,),
Heavy

Lay<'Y"s indud ing gooty

Laytn
Cutting<! Of layer'S

W
A
A
A

Heavy
l.ight
H ravy

Cuttings or lay('['S
Cuttings or layers
Cuttings ()T layers
Cuttings or Ja}'ers

R
R

Light
1 Ieavy

Suckers
Cuttings

\V

Light

Light

Light

Cuttings, suc-kers Or
secds
Cuttings, slickers or
seeds
Seeds

A
A
\\'
R

Light
HC3.\'r
Hea,,)'
Light

W
W
A
A

Heavy
H eavy
Heavy
Light

R
A

Li ~ht

Layers including gooty

Layers including gooty
Layers including gOOty
P lanting of tuberous
rhizomes
Seeds, laycf"S
Grafts, layers
Cuttings, layers
Termi nal cuttings

Other information

Intensely fragrant
Lightl>" scented

Faint lily-like fragrance

Fragrant

Lightly scented

Strongly scented

100
T ABLE
Botanical name

]asmirwTIl gralldijlorum
]asmillum hl/mile
]aSlllilllllll ,?/ficinale
]asmi7l1l7n primuiillu7ll
]aslllillum sambac
LOllicera ja/Jollica
Lonicera sempervirens
Pandorea jasllliTloides
Pharbilis leari
Pharbilis purpurea
Passijlora raemlea
Passijlora racelllosa
Petrea volubilis
Porana pmliclllaia
Porana racemosa
P)'rostegia ve llu~ta
Q!,isqllalis indica
Rosa spp. (R . wichuraiaTla,
R.
lIlultijlora,
~oisette
Roses, etc. )
Solanum jaslllilloides
SolanuTII seaforihianu7Il
Solamllll wendlandii
Strophanthus gralus

SHOWI NG SOME IMPORTANT

Common name

J asmine
Xellow Jasmine

Motia o r Mogra
Japanese Honeysuckle
Trumpet Honeysuckle

Heaven ly Blue Day

Glory
Passion Flower
Passion Flower
Purple Wreath
Bridal Bouquet
Snow Creeper
Golden Shower
Rangoon Creeper

Potato Creeper
Blue Potato Creeper
Potato Climber
Cream or Fruit Tree

Tecomaria capenjis
Tlzrmbergia gralldijlom
Tlumbergia TIl)'SOrellsis
TraclzelojjJemwm jasminoides

Star Jasmine

J11i.llaria sinensis

Grape Flower Vine

Wistaria fioribunda

Flower colour

White
Yellow
While
Yellow
White
Whi te and cream
Orange scarlet
Rosy white
Purplish blue
Sky blue
Blue
Vivid scarlet
Light purple
White
White
Orange
White turning red
Numerous shades
of white, pink,
yellow,
orange
and red
White
Li ~ht purple
Lilac blue
Cream tinged purple
Orange scarlet
Mauve
YeHow, red and
purple
White
Shades of white,
pink, mauve and
}
purple

A = Several flushes in a year;

H = Hot season ;

101
CHARACTERS OF CLIMBERS

Time of
flowering
H
W

Other information

Cuttings or layers
Cuttings or layers
Cuttings, layers
Cuttings, layers
Cuttings, layers
Cuttings, layers
Cuttings, layers
Layers
Division
Seeds

Very fragrant
Mildly fragrant
Strongly fragrant

Heavy
Heavy
Heavy
Heavy
Light
Light
Light
Light
Heavy
Light

H
H
W
W
W
W
A
H,A

Heavy
Heavy
Heavy
Heavy
Heavy
Heavy
Heavy
Light

Seeds, cuttings, suckers

Seeds or layers
Layers
Cuttings, layers
Cuttings, layers
Layers including gooty
Layers or cuttings
Budding, grafting

Deliciously fra:srant

H
A
H
H

Light
Light
Heavy
Heavy

Seeds, cuttings, layers

Seeds, cuttings, layers
Seeds, cuttings, layers
Layers

A
W

Light
Heavy
Heavy

Seeds, cuttings
Layers
Layers

H
H
H

Light
Heavy
Heavy

Layers, cuttings
Layers
Layers

R
W
A
W
W
A
A

Common method
of propagation

Light or
heavy

Rainy season;

\V

\Vinler season.

Very fragrant
Deliciously fragrant

Annual

Scented

Beautifully scented
Some varieties are
scented

Highly scented
Scented
Scented

INDEX TO SPECIES AND VARIETIES

"a r, ~Iar y Palmer, 21, 42
"ar, Enid La ne-aslC'T, 4 7
var. Guldcn Queen, 4 7
niT . Goldcn G low, 47
\'ar . Rose Q U" I'O, - ~2
B, bllllialla. -to, 4 1
var. ?l.1rs. HUll , 36
'ar. Sn lriel Q ueen , 41
var, :\I rs, ?l.1cit'an , 41
"ar. Loui~" \ \'alh"n . 4 l
"ar. O ra n ~(;' K i ng, 41
IJ, .glabTli. 36, 41
"ar, S no\\' " 'hitt', 4 1, 42
"aI', S no\\ Q u('c-n, 4 1
var. formosa, <[ (
\'al'. C) phl'ri. 4 1
\a r . sandcriana\ ~II
vaT, magnifica, 4 1
n, Pfrlll iOlla, 36, 11
"ar, L ad) } fudson. 4 1
"ar . Princl'ss l\iargart:"t R use, 11
iJ, Jjler/a{Ji/is, 36, +2,47
\'ar. la/Hi/lO, U
\'ar, sprciojll, 4:1
" ar, fiji/Zltflls, 'J2

A'lmocal.YIllIllU altieea. 25
A. ca(pcina, 25
Atrallosma rar),oph)1Iafa, 25
:lllamalldn rio/arta. 2(j
:1. w lharlico, 'l6
. 1. cnlharlira 'ar . .~randiflora. :l6
A. ralharliO 'ar. nobi/is. 26
A. callwrli(a var. schOlli, 26
Allti,t:OIlOTl lefttop"s , 14, 27
A. gualnllalcnu, '2. i
Arislolochia {lrgollL 27
A. gmlldiflorn, 24. 28

Arrabidara magnifica, 35
Banilluia laellfolia, 211
Beal/llloniia. 33
lI. gralldijlora. 33
B .jerdolliana.3-1
Rigllonia, 3-J.

B . gracili. , 35
II. magniflro, 35
B . pllrflllYfa. 35
/J. JptcioJa. 35
/J. l'fllllSla. 34
liolll/aim'iliea, 22 , 2 ~, 35
'ar. ,\ida, l2
'ar. Buis de Ro,e, 42
var . D nam, '12
nlr. J ubilre, 42
\ar, L ad y H opt'. 42
,'ar, M aharaja of ,\Iv,ore, 42

Cam/His chill(llsi$, 23. 84

(.IlOlIrlllol /II,O macrol'/I)'ffa, .J7
G,jragrallt, 4 7
Utllllliis. 14, 20, +8
"ar. Fair R osamond. 53
\'ar. M ared M oser , 53
, 'ar , ," d lic M oser, 53
I'ar . P n,idl'nt. 53
"ar . Iklle of\\'oking. 53
\ar , La d y >Iof\hdi{f(", 53
"ar. \\', E , Gladston(", 53
'-ar, \ 'jlle de l .rons, 53
var. D uclwss of Al ban)', 53
I'llr , l\ lme Edouard Andrt", 53

"ar. ]l.lecr,l. -12

var , :\1", Buck, 42

,ar. :\11'5. Fral.er , 42

Mrs. La nc:asl('r , 42
"ar, Purpl(' Robe, 42
var. Rosa Ca lalina , -12
"ar, Slar, 42
var. T um a lo Red, 42
VaT .

103

104

INDEX TO SPECmS AND

\'ar, lVlrs Cholmondrky, 53

var. Mme Baron \ 'eillard, 53
C. armandii, 53
C. jackmani, 48, 53
C. montana, 48, 53
C. montana alba, 48
C. pallieulala, 48
C. vilieella, 53
Clerodendron, 53
C. splelldells, 18,53, 54
C. tilOmsollae, 54
Clitoria tema/ea, 54
Clytostoma binalum, 35
Clytos/oma callis/egioides, 39
Doxan/lla unguis-cati, 35
Eellites caryophyllata, 25
EUOI!yllIliS radicans val'. ,'egetus, 19
Gloriosa supe/ba, 55
Hi/ltage madablo/a, 56, 61
Ipomell, 18,20
I . hors/alliae, 6+
I. lea,,', 67
I. pa{mata, 67
I. rllbro-eaaulta, 63
I. l'ersicolor, 67

VARIETIES

L. semjJerl'irms, 63
Afina lobata, 10, 19, 67
!HortSlera deliclow, 17
Pandoreajasminoides,84
Passijlora, 68
P. caeru/ea, 69
P. racemosa, 611
Petrell, 22, 70
P. l'o/ubi/is, 2' , 69
Pllarbilis leari, 67
P. jJurjJurta, 63, 64
\'ar. Scarlell O'Hara, 64
\ar. Pearly Gates, 64
POlygolllllll nuberlii, 21
Porana /Ialliculata, 70
P. racemosa, 70
P. 1'Olubi/is, 70
Po/hos, 17
Pyrostegia Vellus/a, 19, 34
Quisqualis iI/dietl, 15, 70, 75
Q. malnbarica, 75

]acqllemon/ia pell/an/ha, 18,6 1

] . rio/acea . 6 1
]asmil1um, 6 1, 62
]. grandijlorlillJ, 62
]. humile, 62
]. o.lJi{inofe, 62
J. primulinum, 62
]. sambac, 62
\ar. 1Il0/io, 62
var, mogra, 62

RlzynchosjJerll1l1m jasmilloities, 86
Rosa, 76
Rosa sp. var. American Pillar, 76
var. Tausendschon, 77
\'ar. Dorothy Perkins, 77
var. Evangeline, 77
var. Hiawatha, 77
val'. Mermaid, 77
var. Bla7c, 77
var. Paul's Scarlet Climber, 77
\'ar. Mart'chal Xiel, 18, 77
var. Lamarck, 77
val'. Prosperity, 77
var. Penelope, 77
\'ar. Edouard, 78
R. mosella/a, 20
ROll/lellin grata, 83

I.onicera japollira, 63
\ar. aurta reticula/a, 63

Solanum jasmj,lOides, 78
S. seajorlhianulIl, 83

r N D EXT 0 S PEe I E SAN D

S. u,tlldlandii, 78
Strophanthus, 83
S. gratus. 83
Tecoma captnsis, 83
T. grandijlora, 84
T . jasminoides, 84
TfComaria capellsis, 83, 84
TIIIIIlbergia, 84
T. alata, 85
T.fragrans, 85
T. Iauri/olia, 85
T. grandijlora, 8+, 85, 86
T. mysorensis, 85
Trachelospermllm jaslIlilloides, 23, 86

V A R l ET I E S

Wistaria, 19, 24, 70, 90, 9+, 95

11'. chilltnsis, 86
W.jloribllnda,91

var . Issai. 92
' ar . roua, 92
var. riolacea plena, 92
'ar. IOllgissima, 92
'ar. IOllgissima alba, 92
val'. Geisha, 92
var. Royal Purple, 92
'ar. 11'. sinensis, 92
"a r. sinensis alba, 92
'ar. r(llusia !'iolacea, 92
11'. mliltijuga, 91
IF. sine1lsis, 91, 92

105

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