Holly, Yew and Box 



At the present time, really good hedges of 

 Holly are held in as high estimation as ever, and 

 the owner of a good one is usually every bit as 

 proud of it as Evelyn was, whilst it excites the 

 envy of all his associates. In the neighbourhood 

 of Bagshot a fine hedge exists which I am 

 informed exceeds 30 feet in height, a photograph 

 of this is given in the third edition of Robinson's 

 English Flower Garden. At Kew a fine Holly 

 hedge surrounds the Shrub Nursery in the 

 Arboretum : this is 31 5 yards long, and the greater 

 part is 9 feet high and 4 feet wide ; one portion 

 has, however, been allowed to assume greater 

 proportions and measures 12 feet in height and 

 7 feet in width. 



When planting Holly hedges it is necessary to 

 work the ground well to a depth of 2 feet, more 

 especially is this the case if the land is naturally 

 heavy. Plants from i to 5 feet high may be 

 obtained, but it is not desirable, except for very 

 special purposes, to have plants much higher 

 than 5 feet, as after that they become difficult to 

 transplant with safety. The position of the hedge 

 is of no great importance, as Hollies thrive in 

 partial shade and full sun, and on a variety of soils. 

 With regard to soil Evelyn speaks of his famous 

 hedge as follows: "And this rare hedge, the 

 boast of my Villa, was planted upon a burning 

 gravel exposed to the meridian sun." As pre- 

 viously stated, the time of planting may be 



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