ORNAMENTAL HEDGES 
WHAT MATERIALS TO PLANT AND HOW TO CARE FOR THEM 
By J. FRANKLIN MEEHAN 
F OR the guidance of architects and ama¬ 
teurs rather than horticulturists, the 
following information upon what materials 
to plant is especially intended ; and there¬ 
fore, the word ornamental is here employed 
to distinguish hedges used in the construction 
of geometrical or architectural gardens from 
the line and defensive hedges placed along 
property boundaries. 
About seven-tenths of the material used 
for this class ot hedge work is Box-edging 
(Buxus sempervirens) and Cal¬ 
ifornian Privet [Ligustrum oval- 
ifolium ), the former for the 
reason that it has always been 
associated with old garden 
work, and owing to its dwarf 
size or habit of slow growth, 
requires little cutting to keep 
it down to a proper height. 
Californian Privet has many 
attributes which make it a 
favorite, and owing to its vig¬ 
orous growth and ability to 
stand severe pruning, is prob¬ 
ably the most universally 
known and used of all hedge 
plants. Though classed with 
deciduous shrubs, it holds its 
leaves during the greater part 
of the winter. This enhances 
its value where a dense, thick 
hedge is required, and an 
evergreen hedge would not 
succeed. So readily does it 
admit of pruning, that there 
are instances where privet 
hedges from twelve to fifteen 
years of age have been kept 
in perfect condition at a height 
of fifteen to eighteen inches. 
Of the smaller growing 
stock may be mentioned : 
Azalea amoena , Deutzia gra¬ 
cilis , Berber is I’hunbe rg i i , 
Spiraea Anthony Waterer , Spiraea Bumalda 
and Spiraea callosa alba. The best known 
of this class, and deservedly so, is Berberis 
Thunbergii or Japanese Barberry, sometimes 
called the Dwarf Barberry. It will thrive 
in any ordinary location, and is specially 
adapted for use on the tops of terraces and 
as a foot line for balustrades or garden walls. 
The foliage is small and neat, light pea-green 
in color. It bears white flowers in May 
which are followed by a great abundance of 
CALIFORNIAN PRIVET 
(Ligustrum ovalifolium ) 
128 
