SHRUBS THAT BEFRIEND 
THE HOUSE FRONT 
ALICE T. A. QUACKENBUSH 
Planting Which Ties Dwelling and Site Together 
and Makes Your Home a Part of Its Landscape—Shrubs for 
Four Sides that Will Flourish in Varying Shade and Sunshine 
S O MUCEI to stress that shrubs 
about a building are necessary. 
Now let us consider what to put 
there. Their name is legion and 
naturally may be chosen according 
to the owner’s taste and purse. 
There are certain essentials, how¬ 
ever, which everyone will do well to 
keep in mind. The most important 
is location. Unfortunately every 
side of a house may not face east or 
even south. North and west must 
be reckoned with and, in conse¬ 
quence, sunlight and temperature. 
Take the hardest first—the north. 
I HOUSE may be surrounded by hills, set among pleasant 
meadows, even nestled by the sea; yet if it does not 
have some planting about it to soften the line from its 
base to the ground, it will be ugly. Planting seems to 
anchor it to the ground. For example, look at the accompany¬ 
ing illustration of a one-story house which could bear lack of 
planting better than any other type. See how new and harsh 
it appears at the base. As a matter of fact, this particular 
house was new when the picture was taken and the shrubs had 
just been started. Unfortunately, there are far worse illus¬ 
trations than this within the vision of most of us: houses two or 
even three stories high with nothing near them to soften the 
fact that they were built by man and not by nature. This 
deplorable condition comes from a lack of understanding. Most 
people know that there is something wrong with a building 
which stands out like a sore thumb, yet often they do not realize 
quite what this is. 
The second illustration is the same dwelling at a later date 
when time has done its pleasant mellowing. How comfortable 
and home-like it looks; how it seems 
to grow out of the ground at its feet 
like a living thing; yet it is the same 
little shingle bungalow with nothing 
added save the shrubs. 
It is hard because planting here is shaded at least half the day 
and only plants which are to a certain degree shade-enduring 
will flourish. The Japanese Barberry is about as hardy as any 
shrub that grows; it requires no attention; will withstand along 
period of drought; endures intense cold; has red foliage in fall; in 
winter a cheerful red berry, not eaten by the birds unless they 
are driven to it in desperation because of no other suitable 
food. The blossoms are inconspicuous, though beloved of the 
bees. Where a house faces the west, or a wider planting is 
possible, its monotony should be relieved by the intermingling 
of other shrubs. 
A mixed planting of Rhododendron, Deutzia, Forsythia, 
Golden Privet, and Weigela runs along the northern side of the 
small bungalow in question and all have flourished. 
The Rhododendrons need special care in cold places. They do 
not shed their leaves although they are apt to freeze and die if 
fully exposed. Sun exposure after freezing is very hurtful. 
We tie a burlap bag around the entire plant, which gives 
protection without excluding the air. The most important fact 
THE TRANSFORMING INFLUENCE 
OF A FEW WELL-PLACED SHRUBS 
The lower picture shows a small one-storv house belonging to the 
author just after shrubs had been set out—to what good effect 
may be seen in the upper photograph taken after they had gtown 
a bit. Spiraea in flower at either side of the steps flanked by a 
mixed planting of Deutzia, Forsythia, Golden Privet, and Weigela 
to understand about this shrub is that it will not live in 
ordinary garden soil; it must have an “acid” soil. 
Before placing the burlap, pile leaves to the height of 
at least a foot about it with branches above to hold 
them in place—this keeps the soil in a condition suited 
to the plant’s needs. If you have pine needles, so much 
the better; make a thick layer of these at the bottom. 
I give all my Heaths—the Rhododendron is one—three 
doses of epsom salts each year to assure the desired acid 
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