1 88 The American Flower Garden 



of golden yellow flowers in May, followed by black purple berries 

 with heavy bloom. 3 to 4 feet. 



BARBERRY, JAPAN (Berberis T hunker gii). The best low ornamental 

 defensive hedge plant. Foliage brilliant scarlet in fall; graceful 

 arching twigs strung with red berries, persistent through winter; 



3 to 3^ feet; quick grower; thrives North and South. , COMMON 



(B. vulgaris). Taller, not so neat, but hardy and decorative. 



BEECH (Fagus sylvattca). Slow growing, very long lived, carrying 

 foliage nearly all winter. Excellent screen. Plant very early. 

 Valuable as a windbreak where evergreens are not suitable. Pre 

 fers dry, sandy loam or limestone soil. 



BOXWOOD (Buxus sempervirens). The ideal hedge and edging plant 

 for formal gardens. Dense habit. Evergreen. Moderately rapid 

 grower. Can be sheared freely. There are several varieties (see 

 page 156); the tree box attains a height of 30 feet; dwarf box, 3 

 to 4 feet; others differ in size and form of leaf. Needs winter 

 mulch at the North. 



BUCKTHORN (Rhamnus cathartica). The best strong hedge, as dense 

 and tight as honey locust, but not so high; 6 feet. Thorny, never 

 ragged, moderate grower. Spray with kerosene emulsion for 

 hop louse. Old hedges that are out of condition are easily recovered 

 by cutting back. 



CONIFEROUS EVERGREEN. In the North the coniferous evergreens 

 are by far the most satisfactory hedge plants for all purposes. 

 Of these the native hemlock is best, thriving everywhere. Young 

 growth extremely feathery and whole plant lively green all the 

 winter. Norway spruce, somewhat similar but stifFer and blacker. 

 White pine, long needles of light gray green. Arborvitae is best 

 small-foliaged dense-growing plant, making very compact hedge 

 up to 20 feet. Stands shearing. Excellent for low soils and swamps. 

 Plants from dry soils transplant badly. Siberian arborvitae is 

 greener in winter. Yew: unfortunately this favourite European 

 hedge plant is unreliable in America unless potected in winter 

 from strong wind and sunshine. For hedge purposes the 

 hemlock is its substitute. (For full descriptions see EVERGREENS, 

 pp. 155 to 162.) 



HOLLY (Ilex opaca). The native American holly, an excellent slow- 

 growing evergreen which stands moderate shearing. Will grow 



