The home idea can also be accentuated by the use of vines. On brick and stone work, nothing is so satisfactory as Boston ivy. It requires no supports, since it clings to the bricks. Contrary to the popular belief, ivies which cling in this way do not produce dampness in the house ; they draw moisture from the walls through their tiny root-lets along the stems. For a porch climber which will produce a deep shade, the Dutchman’s pipe is the most satisfactory. Its huge leaves, as big as dinner plates, its hardiness and rapid growth, commend it to every one. In localities not too cold and on the north sides of buildings English ivy is an excellent climber upon brick and stone work, but where exposed to the sun during winter it is apt to be injured.
An excellent porch climber, also useful for training on tree stumps and posts, is the trumpet creeper, which has larges orange-red blossoms. Wistaria is another porch climber of much the same class, but with clusters of blossoms. There are many honeysuckles useful not only for their pretty flowers, but for their perfumes. Perennial pea is excellent for training over rocks and on trellises. The moonflower is an interesting climber for a porch pillar. The variegated variety of Japanese hop is particularly attractive when trained against a dark background.
Besides all these, there are numerous less well known climbers, such as actinidia, various species of clematis, akebia, silk vine, scarlet running bean, the canary-bird flower, cinnamon vine, and bitter-sweet. These will do well on almost any soil and situation and will add greatly to the attractiveness of the house as the principal object in a farm home picture.
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