THE GBOWING OF THE ORNAMENTAL PLANTS 221 



any number of years. The larger-growing varieties make ex- 

 cellent 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. The mahonia makes a low, 

 loose hedge or edging in locations where it will thrive. Pyra- 

 cantha is also to be recommended where hardy. In the south- 

 ern states, nothing is better than Citrus trifoliata. This is hardy 

 even farther north than Washington in very favored localities. 

 In the South, Prunus Caroliniana is also used for hedges. Salt- 

 bush hedges are frequent in California. 



For hedges of deciduous plants, the most common species 

 are the buckthorn, Japan quince, the European hawthorn 

 and other thorns, tamarix, osage orange, honey locust, and 

 various kinds of roses. Osage orange has been the most used 

 for farm hedges. For home grounds, Berberis Thunhergii 

 makes an excellent free hedge; also Spiraea Thunhergii and 

 other spireas. The common Rosa rugosa makes an attractive 

 free hedge. 



Hedges should be trimmed the year after they are set, 

 although they should not be sheared very closely until they 

 reach the desired or permanent height. Thereafter they should 

 be cut into the desired form in spring or fall, or both. If the 

 plants are allowed to grow for a year or two without trimming, 

 they lose their lower leaves and become open and straggly. 

 Osage orange and some other plants are plashed; that is, 

 the plants are set at an angle rather than perpendicularly, and 

 they are wired together obliquely in such a way that they 

 make an impenetrable barrier just above the surface of the 

 ground. 



For closely clipped or sheared hedges, the best plants are 

 arbor vitse, retinospora, hemlock, Norway spruce, privet, buck- 

 thorn, box, osage orange, pyracantha. Citrus trifoliata. The 

 pyracantha (Pyracantha coccinea) is an evergreen shrub allied 



