HOUSE AND GARDEN 
April, 1910 
'49 
the Barberry, it is only necessary to make the plants uniform by 
clipping all such straggling shoots as have grown faster than 
others. 
The after care of the hedge consists in keeping out all 
weeds, and in trimming the plants to induce bushy growth near 
the base. This is very important, particularly with young 
hedges. The hedge should also receive frequent cleaning so no 
insects can gather there and remain to despoil the growth. 
General trimming of established medium-sized hedges is 
necessary at frequent intervals in order to insure the formation 
of lateral shoots for a dense appearance. The work can best be 
done in early spring while the sap is still down. The formal 
hedge of Privet and similar species should always be cut in some 
form of a triangle in order to obtain the greatest exposure of sur¬ 
face to sun and light and thereby securing a more vigorous growth 
of all parts of the hedge. The loose hedge of such a species as the 
Barberry needs just to be kept down to uniform shape by the re¬ 
moval of the stragglers. Where high stumps are seen protruding 
from old hedges, they should be removed and the more vigorous 
younger shoots allowed to take their place. All these large 
wounds and cuts should be covered with coal tar to prevent dis¬ 
ease taking hold of the plants and insects from finding an easy 
entrance to the interior of the plant. Coal tar is preferable to 
paint for this purpose because the tar has an antiseptic as well as 
a protective influence on the wound, while the paint only remains 
on the surface, drying up in course of time and eventually peeling 
off. 
An annual mulch of leaf-mold or well rotted stable manure, 
put on before the ground freezes, is also desirable for the main¬ 
tenance of good hedges, and in case of Rhododendrons and the 
smaller evergreen plants, protection from wind and extreme 
cold during the winter months will be found helpful to the growth 
and even necessary at times. 
Most of the deciduous plants will stand exposure better than 
the evergreens. 
The accompanying lists have been compiled, after much 
thought, with the intention of suggesting the best hedge-plants 
for various purposes. 
DWARF HEDGE-PLANTS—DECIDUOUS 
Japanese Barberry ( Berberis Thunbergii). Dense, low 
shrub; brilliant red berries; hardy. 
Cranberry Bush ( Viburnum opulisv ar. nanum). Compact; 
scarlet color all winter; hardy. 
A Spruce hedge, properly planted and trained. Trim your hedges 
in this triangular form to secure light and air to the lower branches 
Japan Rose (Rosa multiflora). Compact; thrives in poor soils. 
EVERGREEN 
Dwarf Box ( Buxus sempervirens var. nana). Well suited 
to edging. 
Dwarf Juniper ( Juniperus Sabina var. fastigata). Well 
suited to edging. 
Dwarf Juniper (J. Virginiana var. tripartita). Well suited 
to edging. 
Dwarf Cedar ( Retinospora filifera aurea). Beautiful golden 
color. 
(Continued on gage xvi) 
The hedge as a boundary marker adds a ; 
desirable air of privacy to any premises 
The California Privet, quick growing and hardy, is an admirable 
hedge for every purpose 
