280 



THE GARDEN MAGAZINE 



January, 190 8 



Bayberry makes a glorious show of autumn color 

 through November, a month after the other shrubs 

 have shed their leaves (Myrica cerifera) 



its leaves evaporate all its moisture, wilt 

 and die because the ground is so cold that 

 the roots are not able to supply moisture. 



3. Like all other broad-leaved evergreens, 

 the holly should have partial shade and 

 shelter from winter winds. 



It will thus be clearly seen that holly 

 culture is not difficult — it is merely special. 

 Anyone who obeys these three rules ought 

 to succeed without any fussing or coddling, 

 and if the trees are planted properly in the 

 firstplace, the after care is practically nothing. 

 Georgia-grown American holly twelve to 

 eighteen inches high, well branched and 

 transplanted, can be had for fifty cents each. 

 Long Island stock costs more and is probably 

 hardier. 



Another broad-leaved evergreen of extra- 

 ordinary interest is one that has flower buds 

 all winter, viz., the wild rosemary, or marsh 

 holy rose (Pieris floribunda, but known to 

 the trade as Andromeda floribunda, shown on 

 this page) . The clusters are upright and 

 about four inches long, and the flowers are 



only one-quarter of an inch long, white and 

 nodding. The blossoms appear in April. 

 One never ceases to wonder that these 

 unprotected buds should come through the 

 vicissitudes of winter unharmed. This is 

 considered by the Arnold Arboretum to be 

 one of the very best evergreens for the 

 vicinity of Boston. It is said to attain a 

 maximum height of six feet, but three feet 

 is probably the average in the North. 

 Plants a foot high cost about $1.50, while 

 a good specimen 2^x2^ ft. is worth about 

 $12.50. 



The indomitable little plant, bravely 

 surmounting the snow as shown in the 

 picture on this page is Ilex crenata, a 

 member of the holly genus, which does not 

 have red berries. Its berries are black and 

 not particularly attractive, also the leaves 

 do not have spines on them, like the English 

 and American hollies. Opinions differ great- 

 ly as to the merits of this plant, some con- 

 sidering it better than box for edgings in 

 formal gardens, while others say it is not 

 satisfactory at Boston and is nowhere as 



The small-leaved Japan holly (Ilex cre- 

 nata var. microphylla) is the one that some 

 people believe is hardier and faster growing 

 than box for formal gardens. It makes a good 

 4-foot hedge, will probably attain that 

 height sooner than box and is perhaps a 

 little hardier — but it has a smaller leaf. 

 It costs about the same as American grown 

 box in the hedging sizes (say $40 per 100 

 for plants about a foot high) but for large 

 specimens is sometimes cheaper. It is 

 probably better for specimens than for 

 hedges. It differs from the two preceding 

 forms in having lighter but shinier foliage, 

 more compact growth and very few berries. 



A charming plant with broad leaves 

 that are half evergreen is the bayberry 

 (Myrica cerifera), a hardy American shrub 

 which is common along the seashore. 

 It drops its leaves about December 1st, but 

 before it does so they color magnificently, 

 beginning with green and running through 

 bronze to wine-color or purple, though 

 rarely, if ever, do they attain bright red. 

 This "bronzing" is common among conifers 

 and other evergreen plants in the northern 

 limits of their range, and may be considered 

 a sign of willingness on their part to shed 

 their leaves if necessary, in order to exist. 

 Sometimes this "bronzing" is not at all 

 pretty, but in the case of the bayberry it 

 is a source of delight for a solid month after 

 frost has stripped the home grounds and 

 gardens of their summer attractions. 



The bayberry is difficult to move suc- 

 cessfully from the wild. The best way 

 is to buy nursery-grown plants which have 

 been grown from seed and frequently 

 transplanted. 



A young cultivated specimen of American holly 

 in Fairmount Park, Philadelphia. We can have holly 

 berries outdoors all winter in the North 



A black-fruited Japanese holly which is probably 

 the hardiest and most adaptable broad-leaved ever= 

 green for the North. Ilex, crenata 



desirable for hedges as for specimens, while 

 still others assert that it is hardy as far north 

 as Portland, Maine. Part of this difference 

 is due to the fact that there are three distinct 

 forms in cultivation, each one of which has 

 its special use. 



The large-leaved Japan holly (Ilex cre- 

 nata) is the most interesting in fruit as it 

 bears the largest quantities of inky black 

 berries. For this reason and because of 

 its looser growth, it is the best for mass 

 effects in shrubbery borders, although it 

 costs a little more than the second form. 



The broad-leaved Japan holly (Ilex cre- 

 nata, var. latifolia) is taller and more up- 

 right than the preceding and is very desir- 

 able for specimens, as it is probably the 

 cheapest and more adaptable broad-leaved 

 evergreen suitable for tall specimens in the 

 North. This has the widest leaf of the three 

 and is therefore especially interesting as 

 the Northern climate is hostile to broad- 

 leaved evergreens. Three-foot specimens of 

 this cost about $2.50 each; of the first form, 

 $3.50; of the third, $5.00. 



The wild rosemary, that is unique in having 

 showy sprays of flower buds that remain attractive 

 all winter. 'Pieris floribunda 



