THE selection of plants for hedges forms one of the most interesting 

 subjects in the study of use of plants. More often than for any other 

 purpose trees and shrubs for hedges are selected either from an eco- 

 nomic or an aesthetic point of view. It may be desired to have a 

 hedge for its beauty, or it may be desired for the purpose of a screen, a 

 windbreak, or as a definite barrier. 



Many times it is desirable in the development of hedge plantations, 

 especially those which are more than the average height (three to four 

 feet), to develop a hedge which will retain its foliage during the winter 

 months. This may be desirable for two reasons: first, to provide a 

 barrier and at the same time a screen against objectionable views and to 

 secure privacy, and, second, to lend interest to a winter landscape 

 because of the foliage effect. The only effective hedge barrier which 

 holds its leaves during the winter is one composed of conifers. Broad- 

 leaved evergreens are not desirable for this purpose; mainly because 

 they are not sufficiently compact in their habit of growth to meet the 

 requirements of a hedge, and they do not lend themselves to shearing. 

 The evergreen hedge which is planted for the purpose of providing a 

 complete screen, and requires a normal growth of the foliage, should 

 seldom be planted in the heavy shade of large overhanging trees. 

 Hedge plants which are selected as barriers or screens should be close 

 growing and compact in habit. Many among them are thorny in char- 

 acter, thus making passage through them very difficult. 



Hedges which are planted for barriers and which do not hold their 

 leaves during the winter are usually valuable mostly for their summer 

 effect. They are seldom planted for the purpose of a screen, for such a 

 screen is desirable during the months of the year when the foliage is not 

 present. 



Many flower gardens, especially large rose gardens, have been much 

 enhanced from a landscape viewpoint by the presence of low-growing, 

 compact hedges which accurately define the outline of the various beds 



121 



