362 
The Garden Magazine, August, 1921 
BEAUTY, SYMMETRY, AND SHELTER AFFORDED BY THE SPECIMEN SPRUCE 
Treasured in summer for its shade and refreshing pungency, the Spruce is 
no less a friend on wintry days, a bulwark breaking the force of sharp winds 
The Arborvitaes (Thuya) areof compact form and solid texture. 
In some the growth is columnar, while others form globe-shaped 
specimens without any pruning or shearing, making them ideal 
for low plantings of a formal nature. They give best satis- 
faction on deep, fairly moist soils. The best dwarf probably 
is Thuya globosa. The native Western (Thuya occidentalis) 
and the upright form (pyramidalis) are mostly used. Two 
others that surpass both the foregoing in beauty are the varieties 
Rosenthali and Standishi. The former is dark green and of 
pyramidal form, while Standishi is light green and slightly 
pendulous. Both are extremely valuable specimens for formal 
use, as for planting at either side of a gateway. If a golden 
form is desired use Thuya George Peabody. 
Among the so-called Cedars (Juniperus) are varieties varying 
in growth from erect pyramids to sprawlers, and splendid effects 
may be obtained by planting Juniperus only. The varieties 
include almost all the colors of the Retinisporas and may be used 
to advantage where the latter would be out of place. For in- 
stance, on a bank flanking steps that ascend a terrace approach 
to a garden. Such a position is usually dry, but the common 
Juniper (Juniperus communis) will form banks of green seen 
from above while the underside shows a silvery reflex. The 
spreading form (prostrata) makes an excellent ground cover; 
this with the grayish variety, Sabina tamariscifolia, to vary the 
tone and a plant or two of japonica aurea, the golden form, for 
contrast, will please some tastes. 
Juniperus Pfitzeriana, a semi-spreading form, is ideal for 
relieving stiffness in a massed planting and is equally good for a 
specimen. Near a pool or fountain or near wide steps, its 
branches will overhang, lending a touch of “natural” effect. 
The erect growing Junipers such as the Red Cedar (J. virginiana) 
and its companion in blue (variety glauca), and the variety 
Schotti with its light green color throughout the year, make a 
splendid combination in group effects. 
T HE Spruces offer many temptations when selecting speci- 
mens for the lawn. The Blue Spruce is so generally 
planted that I often wonder whether it is for its color alone. 
Englemann’s Spruce (Picea Englemanni) is really far more 
graceful while not so high-toned in color. Englemanni is such a 
splendid tree in every way that one could safely include it in a 
list of three best Evergreens for the lawn. The Oriental Spruce 
(Picea orientalis) would be one of the best three Spruces for 
small grounds. It does not out-grow its surroundings as 
rapidly as the Norway Spruce, and retains its lower branches 
long after gaps appear in the Norways. It is also a cleaner and 
more compact tree. 
The Firs (Abies) include several very desirable ornamental 
trees for the home grounds; Abies concolor has handsome, 
feathery, somewhat blue-gray foliage that captivates everyone. 
Its greatest fault is its slow recovery after transplanting unless it 
has been frequently moved in the nursery. Look to this point 
when purchasing! 
A wonderful tree for exposed positions is the Japanese Fir 
(Abies brachyphylla). During the last twelve years or so, I 
have had frequent occasion to plant it in wind-swept positions 
and where it had full exposure to the sun in winter, and my 
experience confirms my belief that this Fir is one of the most 
desirable from every point of view. Under the name of Abies 
umbillicata another tree, practically identical, is offered. It 
differs in the color of its cones. Not quite so wide in spread of 
branches as the majority of Firs, Abies Veitchii is fast growing 
and valuable for that alone at times. The leaf on the upper 
side is light glossy green with a beautiful silvery sheen on the 
underside. The Balsam Fir, also Fraser’s Fir will thrive in 
moist ground near a stream or lake. 
Among Pines there are many ornamental shapes. The 
Swiss Stone Pine (Pinus cembra), slow in growth, is well i 
adapted for the formal garden and immediate vicinity of the 
