THB GREENING LANDSCAPE COMPANY, MONROE, MICHIGAN 



27 



SHRUBS for SHADY PLACES 



ON streets running east and west, half of the houses 

 face the north; shall we plant nothing near the 

 entrance? Can't we nestle some shrubs near the founda- 

 tion? Fortunately for us, nature is a bountiful mother 

 and in loving kindness has provided for all our needs. 

 Some plants like a warm, sunny exposure, and others 

 thrive as an vuidergrowth in the woods. It is therefore 

 an easy matter to plant shrubs that will do well in shady 

 places, and under the heading Typical Effects will be found 

 a list of the best varieties. I do not mean to be under- 

 stood as saying that the)- will all do equally well : indeed, 

 most of them would do better with four or live Ikhu'S of 

 daily sunshine. Still, where extreme conditions of shade 

 are presented, they will do quite well. 



In this connection I will tell you a little secret, and 

 I will even tell you the sovuxe of my cogitations. Some 

 years ago I knew a very successful poultrv-man whose 

 chickens attended to business the year round. The egg 

 output was just as regular and dependable in the winter 

 as in the summer. Being in a communicative mood one 

 day he told me the magic of his success : Give the hens 

 sitniiner conditions in iK'inter weather. Sure enough he 

 pro\'ided warm quarters and green food in the form of 

 sprouted oats, and lo, and behold, they cackled a merry 

 lay. The hens just for that laid an egg in his hat, and 

 thus did the Henry Ward Beecher ! ! 



When confronted with my problem of growing shrubs 

 on the north side of buildings, I formulated his philosophy 

 to fit the case and it reads, Produce southern conditions on. 

 )i or til em aspects. 



A good soil is not enough. Heat, light and moisture 

 are necessary to produce growth. And yet, as a rule, not 

 only the soil but the whole trinity of requisites are lacking on the 

 north side of buildings. They should l)e carefully supplied. 



First, the soil is poor. For years it has been a neglected spot. 

 Even the growth of grass is scant. There is no vegetative potency 

 in it. It is dead, inert matter, utterly devoid of humus. Change 

 this condition by adding a good dressing of well-rotted manure. 



Second, it is cold. The sun does not strike it. Well, warm 

 it up by cultivation. Let the air in. A hard, neglected soil is 

 always cold. 



Third, the light is poor. That is not a serious defect. Plant 

 shade-loving shrubs. (See list of shade-loving shrubs under head- 

 ing Typical Effects.) 



Plate 1.-V 



A SYLVAN RETREAT 

 This is a sylvan retreat of great beauty. The majestic Elm stands like a 

 crowned monarch with a promise of peace to all who come under his protection. 

 The lawn area is ample, the contour of the shrubbery beds is an easy sweep 

 which satisfies the sense and opens deep vistas to the view. The vines that hang 

 in garlands from the pergola are Lonicera Halleana, a very fast-growing and sweet- 

 scented vine, and the shrubs at its base are for the most part cut-leaved Sumac and 

 Sambucus, which give a rustic tone to the scene and make it very restful in effect. 



Fourth, the ground is dry. Our pre\-ailing summer winds 

 are not from the north, and as most storms are \vind driven, very 

 little, if any, rain falls on the north side of ljuildings. This is 

 especially true where there are wide overhanging eaves or cornices. 

 Paradoxical as it may seem, the north side of a l)uilding is the 

 driest side. Of course this can be remedied w ith the hose. 



All these are simple things, but if properly attended to. you 

 can depend on a strong, sturdy growth of shrubs on the north side 

 of buildings. In the case of some shrubs, like the Viburnums, 

 the bloom is rather scant, but the growth of foliage is most 

 luxurious. The bloom is a secondary matter, after all, as we 

 depend on the shrubbery mass for effect. 



