EVERUEEEN SHRUBS. 



EVERGREEN SHRUBS. 



BY J. JAY SMITH, PHILADELPHLV, PA. 



When I asked from the learned correspondents of the Horticulturist, over the si^ia- 

 ture of " HoRTicoLA," for information regarding shrubbery of a cheerful, evergreen 

 habit, it was with a view of inviting more attention to a neglected topic long super- 

 seded by a continuous description of evergreen trees. It is gratifying that the subject 

 has excited the thoughts and pens of several able writers. Mr. Munn first, and, in the 

 April number, Mr. Saunders, have taken the field in earnest, and will, I trust, as occa- 

 sion presents, give further intelligence, which will be acceptable just in proportion to 

 its fticts. The list of Mr. Saunders, for which I feel greatly indebted, though large, is 

 by no means exhausted, but it is a very good list, and is accompanied by judicious 

 remarks. 



The only successful planting of Savin {Juniperus sahina) which I have ever seen, 

 pleased me exceedingly. It is in the large circle before the beautifully situated man- 

 sion of Mr. Craft, a member of the bar, near Pittsburgh. Occupying the entire circle 

 with its dense, almost black green, I exclaimed at once, here at last is a desideratum 

 for America. It was introduced by the German settlers, and the lady of Mr. Craft, 

 who is a most successful and enthusiastic planter, adopted it at once in laying out their 

 grounds. I know of no more striking evergreen thus planted in this country. Once 

 seen in a rich clump, it must become a favorite. Small plants of it from abroad, and 

 possibly at home, by the thousand, can be had for the smallest price.* 



Mr. Saunders also names the Tree Box [Buxus sempervirens). My experience with 

 this plant indicates that when placed wholly or partially in the shade, it is perfectly 

 beautiful, of intense gi'een, and very much more rapid growth than is generally sup- 

 posed. Fully exposed to our hot summer suns, however, it is apt to take the color of 

 the variety called the Golden Box [Buxus aurea), which is by no means so pleasing to 

 the eye. In England I observed that great use was made of the Tree Box, which is 

 adapted to their moist climate ; and that this had been done so many years ago, that 

 great and pleasing results have followed. I once thought I would attempt to enume- 

 rate the Box trees that were over twelve feet high in a gentleman's pleasure-ground 

 where I was staying, and counted a hundred and more, when my attention was called 

 oif to other beautiful objects. It is by no means uncommon to find a good cottage, of 

 late, run up with taste near or in a copse of native trees. No better undergrowth than 

 this, except the Hemlock, could be selected, as it is very long-lived and every year 

 improves. The variegated should be more sparingly introduced. 



But it is not necessary solely to have reference to shrubs, or small-growing plants, 

 where an eftect is desired. And here I wish to make a suggestion to the lovers of fine 

 planting, of the utmost interest. Hemlocks, for a long peiiod of growth, atl'ord the 

 best possible substitute for evergreen shrubbery; standing in the shade, too, their 

 exquisite green shining leaves and waving branches, their young shoots so happily 

 described by Willis — "the child-blossom and its predecessor are heightening graces, 

 each to the other — neither so beautiful alone, and both finding room enough, and 



* Our common native trailing Juniper is a fine thing for this purpose 



