76 



THE COMPLETE HOME LANDSCAPE 



PRUNING HEDGE 

 PLANTS 



The initial pruning 

 of a newly planted 

 hedge, such as Privet, 

 should be done at the 

 time of planting if in 

 Spring. If, however, 

 the planting is done in 

 Autumn, it is better to 

 merely shorten the 

 growths so that they 

 will not be swayed by 

 the wind, and then 

 prune severely in 

 Spring. Strong grow- 

 ing plants similar to 

 the Privets should be 

 cut down to within 

 three or four inches of 

 the ground and then allowed to grow unmolested for a season. The 

 following Spring, they should again be shortened — to about one foot 

 this time, and of course, clipped to as narrow a width as desired. 

 During the second season, the growths can be shortened three or 

 four times, as in this way a hedge that is dense right down to the 

 ground is formed (Fig. 77). If a taller hedge is desired, the height 

 should be attained gradually rather than in one year. The base 

 should in all cases be broader or at least as broad as the top, other- 

 wise the hedge will become top-heavy and have a tendency to break 

 down under the additional weight of snow, etc. 



Afcj^. 



Fig. 76.— Generally speaking, the more vigorous the 



pruning the more abundant the resulting blooms. Cut 



back Fall-blooming sorts (Hydrangeas, for instance) in 



early Spring 



PRUNING EVERGREENS 



When used in the composition of the general landscape picture, 

 evergreens need practically no pruning, with the exception, of course, 

 of the removal of dead and broken branches. There are, however, 

 many instances when it is desired that the growth be checked so that 

 the plant in question may be kept proportionate in size to its near 

 companions, as in a foundation planting. Sometimes a specimen 

 evergreen becomes thinly clothed and should be clipped or pruned to 

 induce a more vigorous growth of lateral branches and twigs. The 



