80 LANDSCAPE GARDENING. 



early summer just after blooming with the best results; 

 while the Hydrangea, althea, and clethra, etc., should 

 be pruned in fall, winter, or early spring. If left a long 

 time unpruned, whether in groups or planted singly, 

 most shrubs become irregular in form and lose their 

 beauty. 



By careful pruning and proper arrangement beds or 

 groups of shrubs may be made to keep as good form and 

 appearance for many years as if newly planted. The larger- 

 growing shrubs should be planted in the centre and the 

 smaller ones on the border of the groups, each kind thus 

 showing its natural size and beauty if given space for full 

 development. 



Hedges.* 



The arrangement of trees or shrubs in the close form 

 of the hedge is under some conditions desirable and can 

 often be done with pleasing effect, though generally only 

 the very low hedge one to three feet high can be con- 

 sidered decidedly ornamental. 



For the complete seclusion of the nursery and play- 

 ground, the clothes-drying yard, etc., or where the space 

 is very limited, the large hedge is sometimes allowable. 



PREPARATION OF LAND. 



To make a satisfactory hedge, the ground is to be as 

 well prepared as for the growth of trees or shrubs under 

 any other conditions, and as the plants are set out more 

 thickly than where grouped for ornamentation, it should 

 be made richer by an additional supply of suitable plant- 

 food. 



* See description of hedge-plants, page 219. 



