CHAPTER VIII 



PLANTING NEAR A BUILDING 



Generally dwarf evergreen trees or shrubs 

 produce most pleasing effects near the base of 

 a building. Greens harmonize with any color 

 of stone, brick or paint. Box, Arborvitae, Yews, 

 and any of the numerous horticultural varieties 

 of evergreens are desirable. 



When conditions of soil and climate are 

 right, nothing exceeds Rhododendrons and 

 Kalmias for massive evergreen effects. The 

 leaves are so rich and beautiful, and the flow- 

 ers so abundant and effective, that a better 

 selection could not be made. They thrive nat- 

 urally in woods where the soil is rich in organic 

 matter, almost entirely leaf-mold, the roots 

 growing very near the surface. Ordinary gar- 

 den soil, especially that containing lime, would 

 be fatal. The ground must be carefully pre- 

 pared and the surface heavily mulched with 

 leaf-mold. 



In front of the Kalmias and Rhododendrons 

 mass Andromeda (Pieris) florihunda. It is ex- 

 cellent for irregular borders and for screening 

 plants that are apt to become "leggy." The 



76 



