Evening star., 1942-07-26


ater and sunshine, but will tolerate
in its carly growing years with COW
manure or equal parts Of bonemeal
and any Of the commercially pre-
pared manures.
A small garden will always take
one white dogwood (Cornus fiorida)
and If the space is not too tiny, 1t
should be possible to work redbud
tCercis canadensis) into the picture.
They are both better for a mulch OF
leaf mold or compost, and are at
home in sun or partial shade. The
redbud may be pruned every year to
keep i. at any desired height.
It Is in the base, or foundation,
planting OF the very small place that
most mistakes are made. and the
heavy, diversified effect of later years
is the penalty for lack OF planning
In the beginning. Here is the place
to emphasize very positive don't"
Don't put in "cute" little plants
whose ultimate height and habit of
growth you do not know and re-
member that, good taste and SIM
plicity are synonymous.
The cver-useful yews (Taxus) Of
fer exceptional possibilities in some
Of the smaller members of the fam
lily. A pair of Hicks yews, Taxus
hicksii, would be excellent. They are
Of upright growth, but compact,
thick and soft, and can be kept as
low as desired.
For corner grouping OF an
other of the smaller yews, Taxus
cuspidata mana would add both dig
nifty and beauty within small
bounds, and could be tied to the
doorway sentinels by Q band OF Jap
anese spurge, Pachysandra termi-
nails, or Of the small-leaf ivy, Hedera
baltica, kept clipped
Another small yew, Taxus repan-
dens, is most desirable where a low,
spreading evergreen is needed, and
could easily be made a part ,of such
simple planting that would re-
main healthy and thriving If culti-
vated twice year and fed COW
manure if pfocurable or CONNER
cial product If not.
In exploring this interesting and
indispensable field, two other small
evergreens are discovered. One,
the beautiful little Hinoki cypress
(Retinospora obtusa gracilis nana)
which, in spite of its rather formid-
able name, is enchanting in small
nook that needs q filler. It is q
rich, moss green In color, with thick
fans Of plushy foliage that overlap
in layers. has none Of the bad quail
.ies OF its relatives and does moi
grow over 3 or feet In height
With some food in early March, II
is unfailingly lovely.
The other is the arrowhead spruce
Picea conica, growing slowly in 3
double-cone effect. It is very com.
pact, and, though In particularly
favorable position, it may outgrov
| little Hinoki. 1t can be cut back tt
the desired height.
A few English lockwood specimens
Buxus su1ruticosa, can be used with
good effect In q small planting, and
bought at II inches win be inexpen-
! sive.
And then there is the problem oi
the little shady corner which
threatens to become the earden's
stepchild. In reality it is an oppor-
tunity, for there is dwarf hemlock
Tsuga canadensis pendula, which will
dress the shady spot charmingly and
be reliable as we'll. With a manure
mulch 1t will retain its rich colol
through all weather and its dropping
form will furnish interesting con-
trast.
If a hedge should be indicated In
the requirements of the small place
there are two valuable possibilities
either Of which is suitable and
hardy = the small-leaf barberry
Berberis thunbergi minor, which i.
very dainty and can be sheared and
kept as low as IL inches If desired
and the small Japanese holly, Hex
crenata microphylla, which adds dis
tinction either as hedge or specimen
Both of these will be quite content
with an occasional cultivation and
the fertilizer you give to the rest
Of the planting.
| One more suggestion answers the
familiar question, What can plant
In my lovely old jar that will be
evergreen and small and hardy?"
This is easy. There is tiny ever
green that seems to have been espe-
cially created for such purpose
The Little Gem arborvitae, Thujs
occidentalis, is a quaint, wee thing
not much suggesting the family te
which it belongs and having the
appearance Of a dainty tree ir
miniature.
It must have sun and water and
small feedings OF manure or bone
meal and some commercially pre-
pared manure In small feelings from
March to September. and with this
attention makes It's contribution o1
individual charm and interest from
season to season.