Some of Our Popular Ornamental Hedges 



The (leinand in lu-dj^e plants in this country is more 

 for those of an ornamental character than for those 

 used for defense, as in Europe, where the wonderftil 

 hedges of hawthorn excite the admiration of travelers 

 year after year, writes a contriiiutor to The Florists' 

 Re-i-ir:c. Honey locust, osage orange and cockspur 

 thorn are the leading defensive hedge plants here, but 

 none of them makes a first-class hedge, and all are 

 more for agrictiltural than horticultural use. 



We have, however, a good variety of ornamental 

 hedge ])lants, both deciduous and evergreen. A neat 

 hedge gives a finishetl and more attractive appearance 



Courtesy of Florist Reviczv. 



ALTH.\E.AS MAKES AX EFFECTR'E LATE .SU.MMER 

 FLOWERIXG HEDGE. 



to any place, and the seclusion thus furnished adds to 

 the charm of a garden. In this connection, it may be 

 said that there is room for many times the number of 

 hedges now to be seen. It is not good policy to plant 

 the same type of hedge lor all purposes. This only 

 intensifies the monotony that is already too ap])arent 

 in American gardens. It is sometitnes better to sug- 

 gest hedges which are a little out of the ordinary, 

 which will give an air of distinction to the grounds of 

 the owners using them. 



While many people prefer hedges clijiped square, a 

 somewhat rounded top is to be recommended. The 

 latter is ordinarily as handsome as the sqtiare top, and 

 has the added advantage of shedding snow much 

 better. 



Foremost among deciduous hedge plants come the 

 ligustrums, or pivet. The one most in demand is the 

 California privet, L. ovalifolium. This is quick grow- 

 ing and makes a thick and handsome hedge in a short 

 time. It cannot be used, however, in the colder states, 

 where minimums of 5 to 20 degrees below zero are re- 

 corded, for under such conditions it will be cut down 

 to the ground in winter. A mtich hardier and more 



satisfactory variety, one which will withstand tem- 

 peratures of 25 to 30 degrees below zero, is L. Ibota, 

 the Japanese privet. L. Amurense, the Amoor River 

 privet, is also quite hardy. As a general rule, plants 

 eighteen to twenty-four inches high are the best for 

 hedges. A zigzag row makes the thickest, densest 

 hedge. Set the plants in a tlouble row twelve inches 

 apart. Privet hedges should be cut down quite hard 

 the first year or two. This insures a thick bottom. 

 The prunmg should be done in spring, not in fall. Two 

 clippings should be given during the growing season, 

 one in June, the other in early August. Fall planting 

 of privet is not recommended in the more northerly 

 states. 



lierberis Thunbergii, the Japanese barberry, makes 

 a splendid hedge, one which is defensive in character 

 as well as ornamental. It succeeds equally well if 

 ])lanted in either fall or spring. It may be trimmed 

 into a fcirmal hedge, like the privets, or allowed to 

 grow naturally. Of course, the latter plan is the more 

 I>leasing where space will allow. If a thick, trimmed 

 liedge is wanted, set the plants a foot apart ; if natural 

 growth is to be allowed, double that space. When the 

 hedge is untrimmed, the fruits, which remain fresh all 

 winter, give it an added charm. 



The althaeas,, or roses of Sharon, are excellent for 

 hedging purposes in case an -effective late floral dis- 

 play is desired. Plants twenty-four to thirty-six 

 inches high should be planted twentj-four inches 

 a])art. They recpiire heading back Ayell each fall tol 

 keep them within liounds, but must not be cut"iirsum-i 



Courtesy of Florist Review.'^ * 



AMERICAN ARROUVITAE IS A I'OPUL.SR EVKRC.KEEN IIEDGE. 



mer. The althieas suffer when the thermometer de- 

 scends to 10 degrees below zero in winter. 



The crat:egus, or hawthorn, makes a wonderful 

 hedge in England, where thousands of miles of it are 

 to be seen. C. Oxyacantha is the kind best adapted for 

 hedging. Plants twenty-four to thirty-six inches high 



