HARDY HEDGES 125 



climate) of a given place. Half-hardy plants are those 

 which withstand some frost or uncongenial conditions, but 

 will not endure the severity of the climate. Tender plants 

 are those which are injured by light frosts. 



Hedges. Hedges are much less used in this 

 country than in Europe, and for several reasons. Our 

 climate is dry, and most Hedges do not thrive so well here as 

 there; labor is high-priced, and the trimming is therefore 

 likely to be neglected; our farms are so large that much 

 fencing is required ; timber and wire are cheaper than live 

 Hedges. However, they are used with good effects about 

 the home grounds. In order to secure a good Hedge, it is 

 necessary to have a thoroughly well-prepared, deep soil, to 

 set the plants close, and to shear them at least twice every 

 year. For evergreen Hedges the most serviceable plant in 

 general is the arborvitse. The plants may be set at dis- 

 tances of 1 to 2% feet apart. For choice Hedges about the 

 grounds, particularly outside the northern states, some of 

 the retinosporas are very useful. One of the most satis- 

 factory of all coniferous plants for Hedges is the common 

 hemlock, which stands shearing well and makes a very soft 

 and pleasing mass. The plants may be set from 1 to 3 feet 

 apart. Other plants which hold their leaves and are good 

 for Hedges are the common box and the privets. Box 

 Hedges are the best for very low borders about walks and 

 flower beds. The dwarf variety can be kept down to a 

 height of 6 inches to a foot for any number of years. The 

 larger- growing varieties make excellent Hedges 3, 4 and 5 

 feet high. The ordinary privet or prim holds its leaves well 

 into winter in the North. The so-called Californian privet 

 holds its leaves rather longer and stands better along the 

 seashore. In the southern states, nothing is better than 

 Citrus trifoliata. 



For Hedges of deciduous plants, the most common species 

 are the buckthorn, the European thorn apple or cratsegus, 

 osage orange, and various kinds of roses. 



