The daily banner. (Cambridge, Md.) 1897-2008, 1921-03-07
The Making OLA Living Fence

1t isn't surprising that fences of
brick and stone and wood are no
longer in favor. There is something g
about fence of this kind which
seems un-American. 1t seems to
suggest an aloofness or a feeling OF
superiority which is out of place in
a dem ocracy. The living fence, that
is, hedge or a bundary planting OF
shrubs, creates an entirely different
atmosphere. The living fence sug-
gests privacy, but in modest, un-
obtrusive way that adds to the charm
of any city or suburban home.
There may be sections where broad
unbroken expenses of lawn are sat
isfactory, but as rule some sort of
dividing line is almost a necessity,
and if the right kind of shrubs are
chosen, the living fence may be just
as effective barrier as one of wood
or wire, while vastly more attractive
and no more expensive.
Without doubt the best of all
hedge plants for this country is the
Japanese barberry, which will grow
almost anywhere and recommends it
self to the average householder by
the fact that it needs no pruning.
To be sure, it doesn't grow very tall
but the stems are covered with barbs
through which no animal cares to
press its way. And not the least OF
many good points possessed by the
Japanese barberry is the wealth of.
red berries which it carries through
the winter months giving a fine note
of color to the home grounds, even
when the lawns and flower beds are
blanketed with snow.
Perhaps though, you want ahedge
which grows higher and which is
little more normal in character
That being true, the California pri-
vet suggests itself first of all. Prob
ably no other shrubs is so adaptable
for hedge purposes. 1t endures any,
amount of shearing, and can be
trimmed to meet a variety of tastes.
"a be sure. it is true that the Cali
fornia privet is sometimes hit hard
by the cold winters of the north, but
it is seldom killed back to the roots
and usually RECEIVERS its beauty in a
short time There are other and
harder Privets which you may
choose if you like. The so called
J. ommon privet. Lingustrum vulgare,
s unsurpassed for hedge purposes,
+ md the Ibota priyet makes a fine
Is living fence, with heavy crops of
black berries adding to its charm.
% 3egel's Privet has more open char
4 tcter, but Is often used with great
abstraction as boundary hedge
where sharp pruning is not neces-
ary.
It is strange that so many people
Fhen choosing shrubs for hedge
d lverlook the common lilac, which old
II fashioned though it may be, is a
b Ihrub of many fine qualities. If you
q are to keep it pruned hard, it will
make almost as formal an appear
ance as the California Privet, while
if you let it grow according to its
own sweet will, it will yield such a
profusion of flowers each spring in
will attract visitors far and wide.
If you happen to live in the north
ern part of the country where the
winters are very severe, you will be
interested in a new hedge plant call
ed Cotoneaster auctifolia, from
China plant with glossy ,green
leaves and a good habit of growth,
and apparently quite able to cope
with the coolest weather.
Another shrub which can often be
used to advantage where the plant
ing is not too formal is the Honey
suckle. There are several varieties,
which make good hedges but Lon
icera Morrowii is one of the best.
Lonicera, you know, is thebotanical
name for Honeysuckle, and the one
which you probably will find in the
catalogues.
Still another plant which when IN
bloom makes a living fence of Won
drous beauty is Spiraea Van Houtte1,
sometimes called the Bridal Wreath.
I know of one such hedge which
borders the street of a very modest
suburban home which it literally
transforms into a bower of beauty
spring.
Hydrangea paniculata grandlt1ora
also makes a fine Towering hedge,
but is better for large estates than
for small suburban places.
If you are planting a hedge to last
for years you can do better than to