FAVORITES FOR EVERGREEN EFFECTS 
A MONG the many and varied forms of 
i evergreens available for garden decora- 
tion the Retinisporas invariably are given 
first choice. There are many reasons for 
this: the range of colors; diversity of form 
in their natural growth; and their adapta- 
bility as specimens. Ranging in color from 
green to gold, steel-blue to silver, they har- 
monize in texture with the stronger grow- 
ing Spruces and Firs, while as specimen 
trees for the lawn and formal garden they 
are superb. Retinispora plumosa with 
its plume-like foliage, in combination with 
WHERE ARBORVITAE 
FURNISHES THE CUE 
Color and character are assured even 
through trying winter months by the 
liberal use of Arborvitae, both pyramidal 
and clipped, as a sort of foundation plant- 
ing about which the more ephemeral 
things come and go. Home Mr. Chauncy 
Olcott, Saratoga Springs, N. Y. 
R. pisifera, will form a good base where green is to predomi- 
nate. - Both have their golden forms which are identical in 
habit and equal in hardiness. 
Retinispora filifera, easily recognized by its delicate and thread- 
like foliage, is quite distinct in appearance, while its golden 
form, variety aurea, is one of the hardiest of all ornamental Ever- 
greens, withstanding exposure to both winds and sun of winter 
without showing “scorching” in the spring. Since these 
Retinisporas are tall growing they are in fact better suited for 
planting as specimens. 
There are dwarf forms, however, such as obtusa compacta and 
obtusa nana which are excellent for mixed foundation planting 
and may remain for years where a low growth is desired. In 
planting a setting for the residence the plumosa, pisifera, and 
squarrosa types of Retinispora may be used to advantage be- 
tween windows and where there is any length of wall to be 
partly screened ; while the Y ews, J unipers, and dwarf Arborvitaes 
are ideal for planting under windows and for forming the fore- 
ground. Among the Yews (Taxus) the brevifolia form of the 
Japanese, T. cuspidata, and the trailing T. canadensis are the 
best in such situations. 
M OORING over young trees in the rows of a nursery it 
might seem quite easy to make selections and depart 
intent on the planting; for, unless one is familiar with 
the types and their habits of growth, they all appear in 
a young stage suitable for almost any part of the grounds. A 
Norway Spruce, for instance, is the same height at the time of 
purchasing as a Blue Spruce; a young White Pine may have 
about the same proportions. What will they look like five or 
ten years from now? That is the question to decide before 
planting. A common mistake is massing without any thought 
as to their ultimate growth evergreens as a setting for a residence. 
In a planting of that kind most of the material should be of 
spreading rather than erect habit. 
E SPECIALLY appealing to the majority of home gardeners 
through their color effects and their compact habit when 
young are the Retinisporas. The absence of a conspicuous 
terminal growth, so evident in Pines and Firs, misleads some 
people into believing them of a dwarf nature, with the result 
that in a year or two they grow up over windows and either have 
to be removed or severely cut back so as to spoil their beauty. 
Where group plantings are to be made for 
immediate effect, some of the Arborvitaes 
and Junipers can be used as fillers. These 
are more readily transplanted later, and 
their removal will not leave large empty 
spaces. It is a good plan to use group 
plantings as a kind of a nursery, taking out 
a few trees each season as the strong growers 
fill this space, using the surplus to plant 
other parts of the grounds. There is some- 
thing really interesting in transplanting trees 
from your first planting if only for the pleas- 
ure of having grown your own, and being 
able to shift them at leisure. 
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