ORNAMENTAL SHRUBS, VINES, AND HEDGE PLANTS. 211 



circulation of air about them. Some of the best varieties 



are 



Boxwood. Rhododendron Maxima. 



Laurel, Mountain. " Oatawbiense. 



Holly, Am. Andromeda. 



BOXWOOD (Btixus sempervirent). This little beautiful 

 evergreen shrub is fast becoming extinct in the northern 

 sections of the Middle and Eastern States, where a quarter 

 of a century ago it was largely used for a low hedge or 

 border or as specimen plants. It succeeds best in a rather 

 moist, somewhat shaded place, but soon fails where planted 

 in thin soil or a southern exposure. Where a low, formal 

 outline is desired for edges of walks or beds, it serves a good 

 purpose, but lacks the graceful natural beauty of the laurel 

 or Miihoniu. 



MOUNTAIN-LAUREL (Kalmia latifolia). One of the 

 most beautiful evergreen shrubs in the world, found grow- 

 ing wild in nearly every State east of the Rockies in hilly 

 or mountainous regions. It succeeds best in partial shade 

 or cool northern slopes and in rather moist soil. It is 

 difficult to transplant, and if taken from the fields or woods 

 only small plants must be used and these must be dug with 

 a considerable bog of earth upon the roots. If planted in 

 a very much exposed situation, protection of pine boughs 

 should be given during the winter. 



AMERICAN HOLLY (Ilex opaca). A native shrub with 

 leaves and berries closely resembling the European holly. 

 In exposed places north of Washington, D. C., the leaves 

 turn dark brown during the winter and are often injured by 

 the hot sun. Should be planted in shelter, shaded from 

 the hot sun and protected during the winter with pine 

 boughs. 



