The Garden Magazine, March, 1921 
33 
WHERE THE GREENHOUSE 
IS A FEATURE 
The interest of the general scheme 
is enhanced by such a placing of a 
greenhouse which also furnishes a 
generous highlight amid the 
banked greens. Foxgloves and 
Peonies, Pansies and Sweet Wil- 
liams are blooming as gaily as 
though the severe winter of the 
North Central Region were a 
thing unknown 
as well as the Golden Willow’s bright yellow twig, make then 
desirable, and they are widely used. Highbush Cranberry or 
other Viburnums, Mountain Ash, Japanese Barberry, Buck- 
thorn, Snowberries, and native Crataegus are planted exten- 
sively with a thought to their attractive fruiting display after 
the leaves have fallen. 
H ARDY shrubs, with color addition through suitable herba- 
ceous perennials, form the frame-work of our gardens. 
Because of the short summer season, less emphasis is given in 
general to formal gardens, or special flower garden areas and 
displays, which would require unusual attention or the use of a 
large list of annual plants. The average home owner does not 
feel that the labor and expense involved in such intensive work 
is worth while when an early September frost is quite likely. 
However, shrubs of attractive appearance and proven hardiness 
are available in many varieties so diversified as to growth 
and bloom as to fill any requirement. For general use, the 
Lilacs, Spiraeas, Cornus sibirica, Elderberry, Japanese Barberry, 
Snowberry, Bush-honeysuckles, Hydrangeas, Siberian Pea- 
tree, Mockorange, Buckthorn and Viburnums are hardy and 
thrifty growers. Not suitable without special protection are 
Forsythias, Weigelas, Deutzia, Privet, and Japan Quince. Our 
perennial list too, is quite ample, with special attention to 
Peonies, Iris, Phlox, Gaillardia, Delphinium, Aquilegia, Shasta 
Daisy, Pyrethrum, Hardy Asters, and similar sorts. Fall 
Anemones seldom bloom before frost stops their growth, nor 
does Foxglove winter successfully. 
Those who consider no garden complete without Roses will 
find them here. In general, our soil is well suited to their 
growth, having enough sand to make it warm in summer and to 
give good drainage in winter. As to varieties, we seldom use 
the Tea type. Our seasons are too short for them to make the 
development needed before freezing weather and a quick change 
from autumn to winter finds them too succulent and tender. 
appropriate. Although our variable and severe climate imposes 
certain restrictions in the choice of plants, very pleasing and 
complete improvements are quite possible. The photographic 
illustrations given here are typical of what is being done and 
convince one that the Northern garden can possess individual 
charm and beauty. 
The great secret of planting is to use plants of proven hardi- 
ness, and these we have in sufficient types and numbers to 
give all desired effects. However, one should be very careful in 
selecting stock at random from an Eastern or Southern nursery- 
man’s catalogue for planting here, unless he does not mind 
swathing his shrubs in burlap or boxing them in with straw as 
winter approaches, for he is quite liable to get plants that will 
be very tender. Such plants as are suitable and hardy grow 
and flower with great profusion and energy. 
F OR street and shade tree plantings, the American Elm, 
Basswood, Hackberry, White Ash and the Maples are 
suitable — a list not so different from that employed elsewhere. 
The White, Pin, and Scarlet Oaks are also generally used. 
However, our trees do not seem to reach as large sizes and 
heights as when planted under milder climatic influences. A 
60 ft. Elm is thought to be a good-sized tree here while the 
growth in the Eastern Atlantic states is frequently 90 ft. to 
100 ft. This comparison seems to run through most of the 
species with varying differences in amounts. For smaller lawn 
and decorative trees, we use the Mountain Ash, White Birch, 
Catalpa (w'here protected) and Flowering Crab instead of showy 
Magnolias, Japanese Maples, Horse Chestnuts, etc., which 
are better adapted to the East and South. 
With the prolonged w r inter season, the appearance of the 
garden from October to May needs special consideration. 
Evergreens, because of their year-round foliage are used exten- 
sively to give winter cheer as well as to protect the enclosure 
from wind and cold. Native White Spruce, Firs, Pines, Arbor- 
vitaes and Cedars we have 
in abundance. The Blue 
Spruce is perfectly hardy 
and is desirable for its light 
color note, contrasting well 
with the darker foliaged 
Evergreens. When smaller 
growing varieties are de- 
sired, the dwarf Mugho 
Pines, Sabin Juniper and 
Canadian Yew are avail- 
able. Broad-leaved Ever- 
greens, such as Rhododen- 
drons, Azaleas, Boxwood, 
Kalmia, etc., are not hardy, 
nor are they adapted to our 
limestone soils. 
In plantings for w'inter 
effect, the thoughtful de- 
signer also selects deciduous 
plants w'hose winter appear- 
ance of bark and fruit is 
decorative. The red and 
yellow stems of Cornus sibi- 
rica and aurea respectively, 
