S P E C I A L 



TOPIC S 



How to Care for Newly-Planted 

 Nursery Stock 



Trimming Evergreens 



Just as the Spring growth is commencing is the time to 

 trim evergreens. This usually is in May. When trimmed 

 as shown here the density of their branches is increased 

 and in other ways their appearance improved. The stiff 

 "fresh hair-cut" aspect that is apparent right after the 

 trimming is quickly outgrown and the natural beauty 

 restored. 



Winter Protection. Most of us have some 

 varieties which are a little delicate or which have 

 been so recently transplanted that some Winter 

 protection is necessary. A mulch of manure about 

 one inch deep, spread about such plants after the 

 ground becomes frozen, prevents the alternate 

 freezing and thawing which is disastrous. Leaves 

 are valuable for mulching, especially for the peren- 

 nial beds; they may be confined by branches or 

 wire netting. 



Straw or similar protections, as shown below, are 

 valuable for Rhododendrons or Evergreen group- 

 ings in exposed locations. The harsh, drying winds 

 of March and early April damage the Evergreens, 

 so leave the shelters up until all danger from these 

 is 5 past. Annually much damage results from 

 removing the Winter protection too early. 



Watering Newly-Planted Nursery Stock. A 



good soaking once or twice a week if the ground is 

 dry should be resorted to. A mulch of long 

 manure, grass clippings or straw helps to retain 

 this moisture and should be provided if possible. 



Trimming Shrubbery. Newly planted shrub- 

 bery should be cut back severely; from one-third 

 to one-half of the top should be removed. If the 

 planting is done in the Fall it is usually best to 

 defer this trimming until early the following Spring. 



Shrubs that bloom before the middle of June 

 should be trimmed just after the blooming period 

 to ensure a profusion of bloom the following year. 

 Shrubs like Altheas and Hydrangeas which bloom 

 later should be pruned in the Winter. Fading 

 flowers and forming seed vessels ought, where 

 practicable, to be removed, that the strength 

 which otherwise would go into ripening seeds may 

 be diverted to forming flower buds for the ensuing 

 year. In trimming shrubs avoid stiff unnatural 

 results and cut so the plant will bear long, graceful 

 branches. 



The natural, graceful habits of shrubs should be main- 

 tained in trimming them. Hedge shears should not be 

 used but pruning shears or a knife, and cut the old wood 

 so that the younger, more vigorous growth may have 

 room to develop. 



The Winter protection of evergreens may be accomplished in many ways. One of these methods, where it is 

 desired that the drying winds of Winter and direct rays of the sun shall be kept from the plants, is to surround them 

 with a shield in much the manner shown here in our illustration. We use straw mats for the purpose, but cornstalks 

 will do just as well if easier obtainable. Evergreen boughs may be used in the same way, and of course look more 

 natural than do straw or stalks; yet the latter, if neatly arranged, are altogether sightly. 



74 



