26 
The Carden Magazine, March, 1920 
as a year round plant except Evonvmus radicans vegetus, which 
if kept trimmed will make an excellent low hedge and which 
holds its foliage in perfect condition all winter. But the so- 
called Box Barberry, though it loses its leaves in winter, makes 
a very attractive dwarf hedge during the summer and can be 
used much like dwarf Box. These plants will grow in the South 
as well as in the North. 
Gardeners south of Washington have the beautiful Abelia 
grandiflora available for an evergreen hedge and one which 
produces very handsome (lowers. It grows four feet high. In 
some sections too the Cape Jessamine is available for hedge 
purposes, and is to be prized for its flowers as well as for its ever- 
green foliage. The English Holly can be grown as far north as 
Philadelphia and St. Louis, and the American Holly makes a 
good hedge plant even up to New Jersey. But though found 
native in New England it cannot be depended upon there as a 
hedge plant. It was believed at one time that the then newly 
discovered Ilex crenata, the Japanese Holly, would make a 
broad-leaved evergreen suitable for hedges in Northern situa- 
tions, but it has not proved as hardy as expected. South of 
New York it is good for low hedges. 
Where Real Hardiness is the Thing 
T HE evergreens mentioned as hardy north, together with the 
Barberry, Rosa rugosa, the Japanese Quince, and Spiraea 
Van Houttei are really hardy far north — such a very cold part of 
the country say for example as Minnesota or Wisconsin. But 
certain other plants are even better adapted to such a section. 
Probably the hardiest of all the hedge plants which a nursery- 
man can furnish is the Buckthorn (Rhamnus catharticus.) It is a 
splendid all round plant too, and submits readily to trimming, so 
that it can be given any desired shape. Then there is the Siberian 
Pea (Caragana arborescens). In general appearance the foliage 
is much like that of a Locust, and handsome yellow flowers are 
produced about the end of May. This is probably the best of 
the flowering hedges which can be chosen in sections where the 
climate is very severe. The Russian Olive (Elaeagnus ar- 
gentea), however, is a hedge plant not to be overlooked, for it 
seems absolutely immune to drought, heat or cold, or to sudden 
changes of temperature. In order to keep it in compact form 
it must be cut back rather severely each season, but apart from 
that it has few disadvantages; and the silvery-white foliage is 
NEAR THE SEA OR NOT RUGOSA ROSES ARE A RICH RESOURCE 
Usually left to grow as it will this splendid wild Rose 
of Japan becomes one of the loveliest of natural hedges 
in a very short time, and throughout the season 
shows a few flowers at least, scattered here and there 
highly ornamental. This plant also produces yellow flowers, 
although they are small. And another good plant for this part 
of the country, especially on land located near the water is the 
Laurel Willow (Salix pentandra). 
Perhaps the most talked of hedge in Minnesota at the present 
time and in other sections where the climate is similar is Coton- 
easter acutifolia, which is considered by some growers as the best 
hedge plant for the extreme Noith. It is absolutely hardy, is 
not attacked by insects of any kind, has shiny foliage, makes good 
strong growth, and bears black fruits in quantities. All things 
considered, this Cotoneaster, which came from China by way of 
Russia, gives unusuai promise. 
Several of the plants already mentioned have been found 
especially available for western Canada. In that section the 
Lilac makes a particularly good hedge, and keeps its foliage for 
a large part of the year. Caragana is also looked upon with 
great favor. It reaches a height of ten to twelve feet in that 
section, and makes a strong, compact growth. Honeysuckles, 
Spiraea Van Houttei, and Amorpha frutescens will also be found 
hardy and attractive. The last named is particularly good for 
city and town planting because of its ornamental character, 
while the Buckthorn is to be recommended for planting in the 
country, especially where the soil is dry and sandy. 
In the Middle West and on the Pacific 
T HOUGH there are many plants which will not thrive well in 
Missouri and adjoining states, the Missouri Botanical Gar- 
den, after long experiments, has reported on hedges which are 
especially available for St. Louis and other cities in that locality. 
For formal hedges the Privets, the Japanese Barberry, Ste- 
phanandra, Honey Locust, English Haw, and Buckthorn are re- 
commended. The Box or Dwarf Barberry is also suggested here 
as a substitute for Boxwood. For informal effects Honeysuckles, 
Dogwoods, and Weigelas are the most satisfactory. 
Many of the shrubs mentioned thrive in California, and the 
further list of plants available on the Pacific coast is a long one. 
It includes some excellent low edgings, like Berberis Darwinii. 
Lonicera nitida, Veronica buxifolia, Veronica carnea, Erica 
mediterranea and Myrtus Ugni. For taller hedges there are 
several Veronicas, Evonymus japonica, Taxus baccata, a num- 
ber of medium sized Ericas, Elaeagnus pungens, Acacias in 
variety, Pittosporum tenuifolium, and Cupressus macrocarpa. 
THE NATIVE HEMLOCK IS SOLID YET AIRILY DELICATE 
Observe that here the natural form of the tree has been followed 
in shearing the hedge so that the top narrows, leaving all exposed 
to full light and air. This is the proper way to shape all hedges 
and the only way to maintain dense growth clear to the ground 
