CHAPTER XXVI 

 SHRUBS IN SHADY PLACES. 



ONE of the most frequent inquiries is for shrubs which will grow in dense 

 shade, such as under the branches of other trees, and in places which 

 buildings never allow the sun to reach. It must be admitted that the 

 number is small, andthat the shrubs themselves are not of the gayest. No 

 spot worse fitted for the welfare of most shrubs could, indeed, be found 

 than under the branches of large trees, such as beech, horse-chestnut, 

 lime, and elm. They are not only robbed of light one of the prime 

 necessaries of plant life they have to fight for moisture and sustenance 

 against the roots of the giants under which they are condemned to live. 

 Yet in such places a screen is frequently needed to hide undesirable 

 objects or mean buildings from view, and it is often an improvement in a 

 well-kept garden to have an evergreen ground-covering beneath trees on 

 lawns under which it is too dark for grass to grow. 



Of the taller evergreens, Aucuba japonica stands an easy first. It is 

 remarkable how healthy this shrub will keep even under such greedy trees 

 as lime and horse-chestnut. The green varieties should be planted more 

 frequently, and thus reduce the present superabundance of the spotted- 

 leaved one in gardens. For the very worst places, where an evergreen is 

 desired up to 6 ft. high, reliance must almost entirely be placed on the 

 aucuba; but in places not quite so densely shaded the common holly is 

 useful. Both, but especially the holly, should be helped the first two 

 summers by giving good soakings of water in hot weather and by mulch- 

 ings. Rhododendro^ ponticum will thrive very well under such trees as 

 oak or sweet chestnut, also in woods where the trunks are lofty. Although 

 it is apt to grow lanky and thin in such places, this tendency can be 

 corrected by cutting back the long sprawling shoots every few years. In 

 the south and west, Euonymus japonicus is useful. Ligustrum ovalifolium 

 does very well in shade, but does not retain its foliage through the winter 

 so well there as in full light. The common privet may also be used, but 

 is almost or quite without foliage in winter. Ribes alpinum, a deciduous 

 shrub but very dense in growth, thrives well in shade. 



Of dwarfer plants, Berberis Aquifolium is excellent, and grows well in 

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