HOME GROUNDS AND GARDENS 211 



one of the few shrubs that can be pruned in the spring, as the flowers 

 are borne on the young growths of the current year. Hydrangea panicu- 

 lata grandiflora is the best one to grow. The Viburnum family should be 

 in every collection because of their flowers, fruit, and autumn colors. 

 Viburnum opulis sterilis, the old-fashioned snowball, in great demand 

 about Decoration day; Viburnum opulus, the high bush cranberry, with its 

 white flowers in June and highly colored fruit lasting on the bushes all 

 through the winter months; V. lentago, and Dentatum are splendid vari- 

 eties with their foliage and black berries in winter. For screening un- 

 sightly objects use the Philadelphus or mock orange, a strong, robust 

 shrub. Another useful shrub for screening purposes is the tamarisk, 

 with its feathery foliage and pink flowers. The Tartarian honeysuckle 

 and Rhodotypus kerrioides are both good shrubs for ornamental work. 

 Plants suitable for hedges are privet, barberries, the spirea, Rosa rugosa, 

 and Japan quince. The best of these, and easily kept within bounds, is 

 the common privet (Ligustrum vulgare). 



SHRUBS NOT TO PLANT 



Do not waste your time trying to grow Rhododendrons, Althea, or 

 Rose of Sharon, as they are not to be depended upon for more than one 

 or two seasons. The same is true of Weigelias. Do not let a tree agent 

 or nurseryman convince you that California privet is hardy for a hedge 

 plant. If you do plant it, you will be sorry some spring after a severe 

 winter. 



Trees are sometimes able to make a whole landscape by themselves. 

 There is hardly one of them that has not its own peculiar and sufficient 

 beauty. Familiarity with trees and a sympathetic understanding of their 

 habit and manner of growth is the best basis on which to make a selection 

 suited for the home grounds. Many places, particularly in Lincoln, have 

 twice the number of trees which the place ought to support. I am almost 

 certain this is the cause of Lincoln residents losing so many trees these 

 last two seasons. They are starved to death for lack of sufficient moisture 

 and food material. Many of the houses are badly shadowed and shut in. 

 The thinning out should have been done earlier; now the only remedy is 

 the axe. The elm is the typical American tree, the very best street tree 

 and also ornamental. The white birch makes a good background for ever- 

 greens, very hard to transplant in this vicinity; do not try to plant any 

 size above four or six feet of this tree. Catalpa is quite ornamental, with 

 its large foliage; use sparingly. Another good tree as a specimen is the 

 coffee tree; one or two are enough for a small place. Hackberry is a 

 good hardy tree, and especially desirable in Nebraska. One of the best 

 shade and ornamental trees is the honey locust; the foliage and habit of 

 growth make it an ideal specimen tree. The American Linden or bass- 

 wood is good for street effect. It is a pity that the noblest of all Ameri- 

 can trees, the sugar maple, will not thrive in this climate. The Norway 

 maple makes a fair substitute for ornament and shade. Wier's cutleaved 

 maple, with its semi-weeping habit, is especially suitable for specimen 



