PRUNING HARDY SHRUBS. 



33 



may, if necessary, be cut close to the ground in early spring, when they 

 will be found to break away freely ; and in the case of transplanting 

 large specimens much better plants and results will follow if these 

 are pruned close to the ground, though it may seem a waste of time 

 and material to do so. 



Conifers. 



It is not my intention to deal largely with these, as it is pretty 

 generally known that some species and varieties benefit by moderate 

 pruning. For example, nearly the whole of the Retinosporas make far 

 better specimens when they are annually pruned, and instead of the 

 poor thin -looking objects one frequently meets with, by such pruning 

 they may be kept dense and present a very pleasing appearance. 



Thuya dolahrata is one of our most beautiful evergreen subjects 

 when seen at its best, but it has a habit of producing many leading 

 growths. These require shortening back, with the exception of the most 

 promising one, from the earhest stages of the plant's growth. Large, 

 shapely, well-grown specimens of these are most imposing. 



The Common Arbor Vitae and Thuya giganiea also respond well to 

 close pruning, and make invaluable hedges for shelter. 



Many of the Junipers are much improved by a moderate amount 

 of pruning annuaUy, just before growth commences in spring. 



Taxus baccata, the Common Yew, as is generally known, responds 

 splendidly to the knife and may be cut to almost any shape required. 

 Other varieties of this family may be pruned in as required. 



Climbers. 



The majority of climbers, of which happily there is now a very 

 large and beautiful collection, require to be thinned out, pruned back, 

 and tied in during the winter months. Many of them will also need 

 constant attention during the growing season. This work must not be 

 done indiscriminately or very much of their beauty will be marred. 

 One frequently notices cHmbing plants ruthlessly treated by unskilled 

 hands, the growths that should be left to produce flower being cut 

 away. 



The various kinds of Ivies used as climbers should always be cut 

 in, in late summer, allowing a sufficient time for new growth to be 

 made to clothe the building or other object against which they are 

 placed with healthy green foliage for the winter. 



Loniceras of sorts should be pruned in after flowering and thinned 

 out during the winter. 



Polygonums should be treated in the same way. 



Smilax, of which there are now many good sorts, require but very 

 little pruning, and it is best done towards the end of the summer. 



All species of the Vitis should be pretty severely pruned during the 

 winter months, and during the growing period many of the stronger 

 varieties will require stopping and thinning out. 



VOL. XL. D 



