EVERGREENS: THEIR USES AND CULTURE 7 



blue spruce, hemlock and retinosporas. A mingling of deciduous 

 trees will also be helpful in counteracting- any tendency to dull or 

 gloomy effects. The white birch is admirably suited to this style 

 of planting, and, when interspersed among evergreens, its snowy 

 bark gleaming against a background of green boughs becomes a 

 charming part of the Winter scene. The beauty of home grounds 

 would be greatly augmented by the more general use of this hand- 

 some, hardy and easily-grown tree, which is so attractive a feature 

 in much of Nature's grouping. Excellent enlivening effects 

 may also be secured by using the red-twigged dogwood, a shrub 

 some five feet high, whose numerous, wine-colored branches con- 

 trast finely with evergreens or snow. Owing to its small size this 

 must be grown in front of taller trees, or in nooks such as frequently 

 occur along the edges of an evergreen group. As a companion plant 

 to the dwarf dogwood the golden willow is sometimes used, thereby 

 throwing golden twigs into contrast with those of a crimson hue. 



FIG. II Hollyhocks and White Pine. Photo by Ballon. 



The foliage of the golden elder, a hardy, rugged shrub of the very 

 easiest culture, will be of material value during the summer months. 

 This must be planted in full exposure to the sunlight, as the rich 

 yellow foliage becomes greenish in color when grown in partial shade. 

 The coloring of this shrub is finest on young growth, hence it is well 

 to cut back the plant severely in spring. Still another shrub useful 



