May, 1909 



THE GARDEN MAGAZINE 



229 



Tile white pine gains character as it ages. One of 

 our very best conifers 



new growth. The best season is between 

 the middle of April and the end of May, 

 according to the location and conditions of 

 the season. Always secure evergreen trees 

 from some reliable nurseryman who will 

 dig carefully and immediately wrap the roots 

 in burlap to prevent drying, and if it is at 

 all possible, make a personal selection of 

 the stock by visiting the nursery. 



Do not neglect the tree after it has been 

 planted, but give it plenteous waterings, 

 though not enough to make the ground 

 soggy, and put a mulch over the roots in 

 dry weather. 



Some of the best coniferous evergreens 

 for the home grounds are briefly described 

 below, and from the facts given the reader 

 can select the ones 

 that seem to suit his 

 special requirements. 

 Always buy plants 

 with a definite idea 

 of their qualities, 

 and do not mix up 

 all kinds in a hap- 

 hazard way. 



SPRUCES 



Alcock's spruce 

 {Picea Alcockiana) 

 makes a beautiful 

 pyramidal tree with 

 dark green foliage 

 which is glaucous 

 beneath. 



Engelmann's (P. 

 Engelmanni) is simi- 

 lar to the Colorado 

 blue spruce in color, 

 but less brilliant, 

 and softer in appear- 

 ance, the needles 

 being shorter and 

 more flexible. 



Oriental (P. orien- 

 talis) forms a pyra- 

 midal tree of a much 

 finer appearance 

 than the Norway or 



common spruce, and has foliage of a richer, 

 darker appearance. Makes a beautiful lawn 

 specimen when old enough to bear cones. 

 Slow-growing. 



Blue spruce (P. pungens, var. glanca), 

 of a beautiful steel blue, is perhaps the best 

 known of any of the finer spruces, and is 

 undoubtedly the best high-colored coniferous 

 evergreen. Plants are, however, expensive 

 and comparatively short-lived, and are 

 generally too stiff for refined taste. They 

 should not be planted, as they generally are, 

 as the only evergreen on the lawn. 



Hemlock {Tsuga Canadensis) is one of 

 the most graceful and ornamental of all ever- 

 green trees, and although a little tender when 

 bleak winds take effect, resembles in general 

 character the Norway spruce, but has lighter 

 color. The southern variety {Tsuga Caro- 

 lina) is a very distinct and pleasing variety, 

 forming a beautiful pyramidal tree. 



PINES 



White pine {Pinus Strobus). This is 

 the most noble of all the evergreens, and 

 is the most satisfactory for general plant- 

 ing. It is the tallest evergreen of Eastern 

 America, attaining a height of 150 feet. 

 The needles are longer and of a brighter 

 green than most conifers. 



Bhotan pine (Pinus excelsa) is in general 

 appearance much like the white pine, 

 but the leaves are longer, more silvery, 

 and pendulous. This makes a splendid 

 specimen tree. 



Red pine {Pinus resinosa) somewhat 

 resembles the Austrian pine, which is 

 also a good variety to plant. It is well 

 suited for garden use, as it stands cutting 

 and trimming, and is one of the best plants 

 for screens, hedges, and windbreaks. 



The secret of successful planting of evergreens is to do it just as growth starts, 

 dry out ; unbale only at the moment of planting 



Nordmann's fir is especially valuable for lawn 

 specimens ; dense growing and bright colored 



Swiss stone pine {Pinus cembra) is an 

 interesting erect form which is good. 



THE FIRS 



White fir {Abies concolor). The choicest 

 of all the firs. Rapid growing, very 

 hardy, of conical habit, making a compact 

 tree with little pruning. I do not know of 

 any evergreen which makes a better lawn 

 specimen. 



Nordmann's fir {Abies Nordmanniana); 

 very ornamental tree, with glossy, dark 

 foliage. Of thicker growth and wider 

 spread than most conifers. 



Balsam {Abies Fraseri) is a beautiful 

 tree, much better 

 than the common 

 balsam, and the Cep- 

 halonian fir is also 

 a beautiful variety. 



Douglas {Pseitdo- 

 tsuga Douglasii) is a 

 tall, rapid - growing 

 tree, with graceful 

 branches and rich, 

 dark-green foliage, 

 having a faint blue 

 sheen beneath. 



Of the smaller 

 growing evergreens 

 there is a large list of 

 varieties and they 

 make the most beau- 

 tiful effects if planted 

 in beds or masses. 

 Best of all are Japan 

 cypress (Retinis- 

 pora), arborvitae 

 (Thuya), and juni- 

 pers and yews. Trees 

 from eighteen inches 

 to three feet will be 

 found most satisfac- 

 tory as specimens. 

 The retinisporas are 

 very feathery and 

 graceful. 



Never let the roots 



