Solanum

A large genus containing several ornamental vines. S. seaforthianum has cut leaves and clusters of rich blue flowers with yellow stamens. It bears bright red berries which the mocking birds take in exchange for music and as soon as this plant is established on one's place these birds scatter the seeds all over so that one soon has these charming vines everywhere. S. wendlandi is a much stronger grower, climbing high by means of prickles on the backs of the leaves and on the stems. Its flowers are of considerable size, in immense clusters, pale blue with yellowish center. A large vine of this in full bloom is a sight worth going a long way to see. Both are of easy culture in pine or hammock. Both are from the American Tropics and are tender.

Stephanotis Floribunda

Stephanotis Floribunda is a fine hothouse vine from Madagascar with opposite, thick, elliptic leaves and clusters of waxy, fragrant white flowers. I have a vine in the edge of the hammock which has climbed to the top of a live oak and every June is covered with blossoms.

Stigmaphyllum Ciliatum

Stigmaphyllum Ciliatum is a delicate vine bearing umbels of large golden blossoms with fringed petals which does fairly well with me but would stand only a little frost.

Tecoma

Handsome climbers or shrubs from the warmer parts of the world, having pinnate leaves and trumpet-shaped flowers; commonly called Trumpet vines. T. australis is an evergreen climber with white flowers; in T. ricasolina they are pink, striped red; T. grandiflora has large orange scarlet flowers, very floriferous and showy; T. jasminoides has rosy blossoms. All of these are hardy throughout most of the state and are among the finest of garden ornaments. T. capensis from South Africa has scarlet flowers borne all through the year and is a sprawler, but can be grown as a shrub. It is also quite hardy. All the Tecomas like good soil and plenty of feed, though they grow on pine land. Heavy mulching is beneficial and nitrogenous fertilizer is a great help.

Tacsonia

Tacsonia is a genus of climbers closely related to Passiflora. I have repeatedly tried them and have failed with them. They do well in the open in northern California.

Thunbergia

There are quite a number of species of climbers in this genus, all deserving of culture. T. alata is grown as an annual in the north but here in lower Florida and the tropics it is a perennial. Although a native of South Africa it has become naturalized in the West Indies. There are three varieties, white, deep buff and pale yellow, and each of these has a variation with a dark throat. When once established in one's grounds they are likely to remain, propagating themselves by seeds. T. erecta is a sprawling shrub which seems to like partial shade: it delights to grow up among other shrubbery, half climbing among it. T. grandiflora and T. laurifolia are fine vines with blue flowers. T. coccinea has scarlet flowers but has not been tried here to my knowledge. All should be grown in lower Florida.

Vallaris Heynei

Vallaris Heynei is a twining shrub with smooth, opposite leaves and pretty white, salver-shaped flowers. I have a specimen that has climbed to the top of a tree in the hammock and is doing finely. It is from the Oriental Tropics.

Trachelospermum Jasminoides, Confederate Jessamine

A fine twiner with abundant, starry, white blossoms that are deliciously fragrant. Rabbits are so fond of the plants that it has been impossible for me to grow it. It is hardy and, I think, a success generally in the state.

Wistaria

A few species do well in the cooler parts of Florida. W. brachybotra and var. rubra, W. chinensis and var. alba are fine.

Zebrina Pendula

Zebrina Pendula, which translated means the old Tradescantia zebrina or Wandering Jew, is an example of the constant changes of names in the books apparently for no purpose whatever but to change, and which keeps the student constantly confused. It is grown all over the country and in South Florida frequently becomes partly established in moist shady places. There are a couple of plain-leaved forms which are not nearly so fine as the striped variety. They are tender.