26 THE COMPLETE GARDEN 



encouraged from the roots. Cutting back all branches, or giving 

 shrubs an even shearing should be avoided, as strong shoots will 

 develop and cause a too succulent and unbalanced top growth (See 

 Plate V). With transplanted stock a general rule is to remove 

 about one-fo'urth of the wood, to offset the loss of roots. Root pruning 

 for shrubs is similar to "that of trees (See Chapter on "Planting and 



Transplanting")- 



Old shrubs and overgrown material should be thinned out by re- 

 moving some branches to the base of the plant. This will allow sun 

 and air to reach the base of the plant and encourage growth at the 

 bottom. The dogwoods, globe flowers, and similar shrubs lose the 

 bright colour of their wood as they age. The old wood should be 

 removed to encourage new growth. 



Evergreens. Evergreens need but little pruning. The pruning 

 of evergreens is done to secure formal shapes, to thicken growth, 

 or to preserve symmetry. Tips of branches should be sheared in 

 the spring just before they start growing. Begin pruning a year 

 after planting and continue each succeeding year. Evergreens dry 

 out more rapidly than deciduous growth and as they make much 

 growth in the early spring, wounds from spring cutting heal rapidly. 

 April is a good month for this work in the northern states. Pinch- 

 ing back of buds at any time in order to thicken the growth is all 

 the pruning that most evergreens require. Shearing for formal 

 shapes must'be done carefully and a portion of the past season's growth 

 allowed to refnain on the plants. Many evergreens such as the plume- 

 shaped cypress^ Lawson's cypress, and the arborvitae will respond to 

 severe pruning operations. These plants grow vigorously under ideal 

 conditions and during the growing season it is not infrequent that they 

 require pruning two or three times. Rarely are evergreens pruned 

 for the purpose of removing branches which are crowding, and only 

 under very abnormal conditions is it necessary to prune evergreens 

 in order to remove dead or diseased branches. 



Rhododendrons. The pruning of rhododendrons, as a rule, is 

 unsatisfactory, particularly if the wood is old. If the plant is very 

 thrifty, and in a damp, sheltered position, fair success may be had. 

 Not more than one-half of a plant should be pruned in any one year 

 and the other part in the succeeding year. It should be done early 



