336 



GARDENERS' CHRONICLE 



The best hedges are produced by keeping the bottom 

 on each side free from weeds and by ruthlessly exclud- 

 ing such wildings as Dog Roses, Honeysuckle, Virgin 

 Bower, Brambles and the like. These, though beauti- 

 ful in their proper place and a source of pleasure to 

 the artistic mind when clambering over hedges, very 

 soon ruin what would otherwise have been excellent 

 hedges. 



It is always a mistake to allow a hedge to increase in 

 height too rapidly, height growth should depend entirely 

 upon density and condition of the lower parts. First get 

 a good bottom and then pay particular attention to main- 

 taining it, and the top will look after itself. Weak bot- 

 toms to old hedges may sometimes be improved by low- 

 ering the tops and by cutting the sides well back. When- 

 ever such severe pruning is necessary it should be done 

 in Spring, ]\Iarch or April, for at that time new growth 

 is soon formed. For ordinary clipping there is no proper 

 time, and it can be done to suit the individual. Privet 

 has to be clipped several times during the growing 

 period, but subjects that only need this treatment 

 once a year are usually clipped at the end of the 

 growing season, or on some farms are left until 

 \\'inter. 



On farm land hedges are sometimes allowed to grow 

 very large and become very rough in order to provide 

 shelter for stock. Then, after a while, for some pur- 

 pose or other, they have to be brought under control 

 This can be done by removing some of the branches, 

 and partly cutting others through so that they can be 

 laid down in the proper direction and secured to stout 

 stakes driven into the line of the hedge. The rough 

 sides are then trimmed back until a narrow hedge 1 

 foot or so wide and 4 feet or 5 feet high is formed. The 

 work is done in Winter and as the branches are only 

 partly cut through communication is maintained between 

 branches and roots, and growth is ensured the follow- 

 ing Spring. Hedges treated in this w-ay form ex- 

 ceedingly strong fences in the course of a couple 

 of years. 



The distance apart to place the plants in a hedge 

 must be determined by the size of the plants, but it is 

 not wise to place them more than 2 feet apart, and Thorns 

 are better planted at about 12 inches, in fact, the more 

 strong, erect stems there are the stronger is the hedge 

 likely to be. When Conifers, such as Thuya gigantca 

 or CiiprcssHs Lazcsoniana is used, the plants may be 

 spaced a little wider apart if desired. 



Selection of Plants. 



Hawthorn Quick, Quickset or \\'hitethorn. — This is 

 the most generally useful subject for hedges in the Brit- 

 ish Isles. It is perfectly hardy, thrives in light and 

 heavy soils, lasts in good condition for many years, and 

 provides excellent shelter. Its thorny branches make it 

 peculiarly suitable for fields. If not cut regularly once 

 a year it is liable to grow too freely about the upper 

 parts and the bottom may become gappy. 



Common Holly (Ilex aqiiifolium). — There is no bet- 

 ter evergreen for hedges than this. It succeeds through- 

 out the greater part of the country, grows well in a 

 variety of soils, forms a high and strong hedge and may 

 be expected to last 100 years, while its spiny leaves 

 and dense habit make it stock-proof. If clipped once a 

 year it may be kept in good condition. 



Yew (Taxus baccafa). — This is another excellent ever- 

 green for hedges, but inferior to Flolly by reason of its 

 spineless leaves, poisonous character, and more gloomy 

 appearance. Nevertheless, it forms an impenetrable fence 

 10 feet to 15 feet high, stands clipping well, and may 



be expected to last in good condition for at least a cen- 

 tury. Although it grows well throughout the country, 

 particularly in chalky soil, it is impatient of very wet 

 ground, and water standing about the roots may have 

 disastrous results. 



Box (Biixus sctiipcrvircns). — The Box might be used 

 more frequently than at present for its leaves are a 

 cheerful green, it stands clipping well and forms a strong 

 and neat fence. It is not. however, adapted for shady 

 places where it will be heavily overhung. 



Laurel {Primus laiiroccrasiis). — This is used exten- 

 sively in some places and forms a good hedge. It, how- 

 ever, impoverishes the ground in its vicinity and is not 

 adapted for small gardens. Any clipping should be done 

 with knife or secuteurs, for shears injure the leaves and 

 render them unsightly. 



Escallonia macrantha is an excellent evergreen for a 

 hedge in the milder maritime counties. ]\Ioreover, it pro- 

 duces a good display of red flowers during Summer. It 

 succeeds near the sea and withstands strong sea breezes. 

 The best hedges are from 4 feet to 6 feet high. 



Myrabalan or Cherry Plum (Prumis cerasifera). — 

 This is a deciduous Spring tree that can be used for 

 hedges in the same way as the Hawthorn. It forms a 

 moderately good hedge, but is decidedly inferior to Haw- 

 thorn for general purposes. It is not fastidious as to 

 soil. 



Holm Oak or Evergreen Oak (Oucrcus ilex). — -For 

 the warmer maritime counties and also for the Midlands 

 this tree may be used successfully for hedges. It grows 

 to a considerable height and becomes very dense if 

 clipped once a year. It must, however, be given plentj' 

 of room, for it grows vigorously. 



Common Beech (Fagus syk'atica). — There are many 

 places where Beech can be used with success as a hedge 

 plant. It is at its best as a wind-break when it can be 

 allowed to grow 12 feet to 15 feet high and kept fairly 

 narrow. The plants should be placed fairly close to- 

 gether, 12 inches to 18 inches apart. It gives excellent 

 results on loamy soil, particularly on chalk. 



Hornbeam {Carf^iniis betiiliis). — The same remarks 

 are applicable to this as to the foregoing. 



Lime (Tilia z'lilgaris). — This may also be used for 

 hedges or screens. The branches should be cut back; 

 once a year. It succeeds in light or heavy loam, the 

 former for preference. 



Oval-leaved and Common Privet (Ligustrum ovali- 

 foliiim and L. znilgarc). — These two shrubs, particularly 

 the former, are used very extensively for garden hedges 

 on account of their adaptability and rapid growth. They 

 are, however, hungry subjects and impoverish the 

 ground in their vicinity. On this account the 

 roots should be cut back aimually. The common 

 Privet is sometimes mixed with Hawthorn to form 

 hedges. 



Thuya gigantca. T. occidcnfalis and Cuf'rcssits Lazv- 

 soniana are sometimes planted to form high, informal 

 hedges. It is a mistake to attempt to prune such things 

 severely. 



Bcrbcris Darzcinii and B. sfciiophxlla form useful gar- 

 den hedges where great strength is not required. They 

 may be kept in condition by an annual clipping as soon 

 as the flowers fade. 



Informal Hedges may be formed of Roses, Lavender, 

 Rosemary, species of Veronica. Escallonia Phillippiana, 

 Tamarix, Olearia Haasfii, Hydrangea hortensia. Fuch- 

 sias in the milder parts of the country. Tree Heaths, 

 Rhododendron raeeinosiiin, Pernettya mucronata, or al- 

 most any shrub of moderate growth. Regular pruning 

 or clipping is not desirable, but a little trimming up now 

 and then is beneficial. — The Garden. 



