24 
The Garden Magazine, March, 1920 
the latter although they are totally different plants, while other 
nurserymen say that there are Northern and Southern forms of 
Ligustrum amurense. Properly speaking L. amurense is really 
a distinct species and will thrive in the extreme North. 
Ligustrum sinense, on the other hand, can be used only in the 
South; which is just as true, of course, when it sells under the 
false name of L. amurense, “Southern type.” 
Mention has been made of the fact that Privet will thrive 
close to the ocean. Another and quite different shrub to be 
included in this category (which, by the way, is rather limited) 
is Rosa rugosa. There are some Eastern summer resorts where 
very effective use has been made of this, splendid tall stout hedges 
being produced in a few years. Rosa rugosa is better adapted 
to such places than to some others, because it does not make a 
very hedgelike appearance in the winter. Moreover, it develops 
a tremendous root system (which is not desirable in gardens) 
but this strong rooting feature has one distinct advantage when 
it is used as a hedge plant, since it enables it to thrive even in 
hot, arid sections where there is but little rainfall. It does rea- 
sonably well both North and South and its heavy spines give it 
a defensive value, too, which is not to be overlooked under 
some circumstances. 
Where Defence Counts 
F OR a really defensive hedge, though, there are few plants to 
surpass the Honey Locust and the Osage Orange. In the 
Middle West the latter plant has been used to a large extent, but 
unfortunately suffers badly from attacks of San Jose scale 
which fact is militating against its continued use. The Honey 
Locust will grow farther north than the Osage Orange — suc- 
ceeds in almost all parts of the country indeed. It has been 
especially recommended for arid sections of the North, and 
farmers find it a very useful defensive hedge plant. 
Suppose you live in the North and want a flowering hedge. 
I RIMMED OR LEFT TO ITSELF JAPANESE BARBERRY IS GOOD 
One of the most generally satisfactory hedge plants that there is, Berberis 
I hunbergii, makes an ideal, compact edging where a height of three feet will 
suffice and may be used in place of Boxwood where the latter will not thrive 
I'HERE ARE CERTAIN VINES THAT MAKE PERFECT HEDGES 
Where a barrier that is impenetrable is needed a wire fence supporting 
Actinidia arguta which is sheared to a form the same as any bushy 
hedge plant, once the fence is covered, is as beautiful as it is unusual 
The charm of Lilacs appeals to everyone, and 
it is common to find old places which are 
wondrously beautiful in late spring with the 
burst of Lilac bloom from hedges several hun- 
dred feet long. By selecting different species 
and varieties it is possible to regulate and extend 
the blooming season greatly and also to have 
either a high or a low hedge. Some Lilacs, too, 
have certain definite climatic preferences. Vari- 
eties of the so-called common Lilac (Syringa 
vulgaris) have a wide latitude, but for the great 
plains of the West where natural conditions are 
a bit different Syringa amurensis is the best 
subject. The Persian Lilac (Syringa persica 
grows well under the same conditions and is 
dwarf, while S. amurensis grows ten or twelve 
feet high. 
Lilacs will stand shearing reasonably well, and 
in many Eastern suburban towns clipped hedges 
of this material are to be found. They are not to 
be recommended for use in this way, however, 
for they are best when allowed to take their 
natural habit of growth and to produce their 
wealth of flowers. A Lilac hedge is good for 
many years — indefinitely indeed — for while there 
is a certain tendency in the plants to become 
leggy, they can be constantly renewed by means 
of suckers coming up from the roots. 
Probably the next best flowering hedge is 
Spiraea Van Houttei. This Spiraea makes one 
of the loveliest displays imaginable during the 
blooming season when used as a hedge plant. 
