F E B R D ABT , 19] 



T H E G A R D E N M A G A Z I N E 



21 



endures but little over two weeks, it is 

 so subtly suggestive and unlike any other 

 fragrance that it is well worth taking into 

 account. 



I find it rather difficult to select words 

 that will adequately describe the exact shade 

 of green that the small pinnate foliage of the 

 Siberian pea tree (Caragana arborescens) 

 presents to the eye. There is a suggestion 

 of gold and, at the same time, of bronze about 

 its green. Its color is its distinctive feature. 

 As a hedge the erect habit of the shrub 

 makes it compact though a trifle stiff in 

 appearance and effectually precludes its use 

 in very low hedges. When trimmed the 

 foliage covers the entire hedge. Untrimmed, 

 its tendencies toward a tree form com- 

 pletely destroy the hedge idea. Under five 

 feet it cannot easily be held. Furthermore, 

 it shows an inclination to die out in spots, 

 the leaves withering or turning yellow, an 

 untidy habit difficult to combat. Thus, 

 though an available material, one needs to 

 consider carefully before building a hedge 

 thereof. 



One of the most ornamental hedges is 

 obtained by using the Tartarian honey- 

 suckle (Lonicera Tatarica). But it should 

 not be planted where there is any uncer- 

 tainty of its receiving the proper care. A 

 free use of the shears is necessary ; moreover, 

 there soon comes a time when it is impera- 

 tive to freely remove the old wood, so as to 

 prevent the bushes growing leggy and the 

 hedge losing its character. When in bloom 

 this hedge is magnificent, nor lacks it some 

 charm the rest of the season, for its trans- 

 lucent, red coral-like berries are ornamental 

 and not at all inconspicuous. 



HEDGES THAT DETERMINE THEIR 



OWN OUTLINE 



Unfortunately that prettiest of the bar- 

 berries, the Japanese {Berberis Thunbergii), 

 is not hardy throughout the exposed prairies 

 of the Northwest, though where good winter 

 protection can be provided it will live and 

 prove itself worth the trouble, but, of course, 

 in giving protection its beauty in the late 

 autumn is sacrificed. Even with the best 

 of protection it freezes down to the ground 

 occasionally; and during very severe weather 



may even die out entirely. If you have a 

 sunny, sheltered location, perhaps a gently 

 sloping southerly bank, at your command. 

 and you are an enthusiast, not afraid of a 

 possible failure, I should advise attempting a 

 hedge of this kind for it is well worth while 

 — but not otherwise! 



The purple barberry, which is the next 

 in size to the globular dwarf Thunbergii, 

 is hardy and used to some extent as hedge 

 material, but its color decides against it, 

 certainly against using it in a very long 

 straight line. With regard to this matter 

 of color, however, we may not be too fastidi- 

 ous, when we recollect that in our North- 

 west it is not always a matter of what we 

 might prefer but what we can actually grow 

 that determines our material. The bar- 

 berries being very thorny and compact in 

 their habit of growth this particular variety 

 will demand consideration wherever material 

 for a protective hedge, that of its own accord 

 is to retain a uniform height of from five to 

 seven feet, is sought. 



The tallest of the tribe is the common 

 barberry, attaining a height of over eight 

 feet. Knowing the natural height of this 

 shrub, do not then make the mistake of 

 attempting too hold such a hedge to three 

 feet, for this barberry takes none too kindly 

 to pruning and the hedge becomes patchy 

 and dies out in places. This is emphatically 

 a material which need not be pruned. This 

 does not mean that dead canes are not to be 

 removed, or that the tops cannot occasion- 

 ally be pinched back to induce a bushier 

 growth, but for a strictly clipped hedge 

 there is more suitable material. Where its 

 natural habit is not interfered with, the 

 shrub tends to grow straight upward, spread- 

 ing and arching its branches at the top. 

 This imparts to the top of the hedge a width 

 and natural curve not to be obtained with 

 the shears. 



Unhappily the barberries fruit but spar- 

 ingly or not at all in the West; so one attract- 

 ive feature in the East is lost entirely to us. 

 Those living in the wheat sections need also 

 consider that the wheat rust lives over the 

 winter on the barberry. 



As an ornamental flowering hedge not 

 to be pruned, few shrubs excel Spircca Van 



For gracefulness the osier or basket -willow is unsurpassed 



The Russian olive stands very hard shearing. It 

 thrives in dry places 



Houttei. It cannot be improved upon by 

 pruning; nor will it make a high or a defen- 

 sive hedge. It is very hardy and where 

 sufficient moisture is available makes rapid 

 growth. Nothing quite equals the charm 

 of its bloom in spring, the arching sprigs 

 laden with white bending to the slightest 

 breeze. There is likewise a certain beauty 

 in its dark green restless foliage in summer; 

 and well into the fall it delights us with its 

 autumn tints. Close planting develops such 

 a hedge to its best. The pruning knife 

 should be used only to remove dead or dying 

 wood, or to induce new shoots from the roots. 

 For a hedge that possesses a distinct, pic- 

 turesque character, is hardy and withal 

 inexpensive, plant the osier, or basket willow, 

 The long slender pliant twigs of this willow, 

 which bend and curve downward without any 

 pronounced weeping habit, impart to a hedge 

 an air of elegance and grace, quite unlike 

 anything else. It bends to the wind with 

 supple grace, swaying leisurely, but never 

 atremble. The natural habit of this plant 

 is arboreal, but it readily assumes a bush 

 form when severely pruned in the early 

 stages of its development. It is recom- 

 mended only for special effects. 



FRUITING HEDGES 



In the Northwest the most delightful, the 

 most invigorating weather of all the year 

 prevails during the "Indian summer" — -after 

 the frosts have killed the flowers and scat- 

 tered nearly all the leaves — and anything 

 that carries its beauty through that period 

 has a special claim upon the attention of the 

 gardener. 



There are two available roses — the native 

 wood rose and the Japan or rugosa rose. Both 

 need shearing to induce cane growth and to 

 hold the foliage down to the ground, the 

 native species much the most. Neither will 

 make a hedge much over four feet, but 

 when held well within this limit their vigorous 

 growth, combined with the fact that the 

 stems fairly bristle with small thorns, fur- 

 nishes a barrier thiough which neither cat 

 nor dog can be driven. The rugosa rose 

 is in ever) 7 way preferable, blooming from 

 June until September, the native wood rose 

 flowering only during two or three weeks in 

 June. Both blossoms are single, those of 



