102 SHRUBS IN SHADY PLACES 



shady places. Equalling the aucuba in its capability of withstanding 

 shade and the roots of trees under which they may be planted, are Ruscus 

 Hypoglossum (12 to 18 ins. high) and R. aculeatus^ somewhat taller. 

 Gaultheria Shallon loves shade, but needs moisture as well. The new 

 sarcococcas S. humilis and S. ruscifolia are said to thrive in shade. 



For forming an evergreen carpet beneath either evergreen or deciduous 

 trees, the various forms of green ivy are, on the whole, the best, especially 

 where the shade is very dense. Next to them in value are the green and 

 variegated forms of Euonymus radtcans, but they will not survive in so 

 dense a shade as ivy. The greater and lesser periwinkles ( Vinca major 

 and V. minor) are charming under deciduous trees, but need more -light 

 than the ivies do, especially if the blue flowers are to develop at all freely. 

 Hypericum calydnum is also admirable in similar spots, and may be soon 

 made to form a dense carpet of large extent ; provided it gets a certain 

 amount of light, it will hold its own and flower prettily under lime, elm, 

 and suchlike trees. If the previous year's growths are cut away every 

 spring the effect is neater. In wilder parts of the grounds the various 

 forms of British bramble are perfectly at home under deciduous trees, and 

 the double-flowered forms of R. ulmifolins and R. thyrsiflorus are worthy 

 of special note for such positions. The common elder will grow in deepish 

 shade, but is too rank and weedy to recommend as a screen plant. 



There are, of course, numerous shrubs that will thrive in semi-shade ; 

 some, like most of the bamboos, prefer it. The choice, in fact, is so 

 extensive that planting in such places presents no problems. 



In planting shrubs of the taller size mentioned above under big trees, 

 it is necessary to dig out good-sized holes for them, irrespective of the 

 destruction it may cause to the roots of the tree. This may sound 

 barbarous, but if the thing is to be done at all, it is imperative to keep the 

 roots at bay for a year or two to enable the aucuba or whatever it may be 

 to get a foothold. The whole proceeding is more or less unnatural. In 

 Nature there is very little shrubby growth beneath the dense shade of 

 trees, and such shrubs as do establish themselves there start as seedlings. 

 Still, the chopping out of a few roots of such vigorous trees as lime, elm, 

 and horse-chestnut is scarcely felt. 



Before planting the low carpet shrubs like ivy, periwinkle, or Hypericum^ 

 all that is necessary is to dig the ground over, preferably with a fork, and 

 to give a thorough watering after. It is, however, a convenient time to top- 

 dress trees that need it with four to six inches of loam. In this the ivy f 

 etc., may be planted and thus avoid any injury to the roots of the tree 

 itself. 



