Evening star., 1942-06-14
For Individuality
ryVariations
In Shrubbery
AH.Season Effect
Given by Many
Lovely Plants
By Lillian Wright Smith

There is a wealth of shrub ma
terial, not commonly used but by no
means in the rare-plant category,
that would create distinction in the
simplest garden. And yet, through
habit or possibly unconscious imi-
tation, gardeners fail to use it and
thereby lose the note of interest and
individuality that would differen-
tiate their gardens from their neigh
bors'.
If you have counted on the hol-
lies as a part of your basic plant
ing for all-Season effect and if you
happen not to know lex peduncu-
losa, japanese holly, look it UP and
include it in your must" list for fu-
ture planting. 1t is entirely unlike its
better-known relative. I. crenata,
commonly called the Japanese holly.
grows to be much larger plant
and has more varied landscape pos
sibilities.
The foliage is not characteristic
of familiar hollies. 1t has no prickly
points, is a lighter green in color,
and the red fruit, instead of clus-
tering on the wood, hangs pendant,
suspended by tiny, threadlike stems
and fairly covers the plant.
1t requires a rich, well-drained
soil and will grow in sun or shade
to height of about IS feet. 1t
can be pruned to any size desired
and has under all conditions a
gracefulness lacking in its relatives.
For something divergent in char
acter you may like to use the ex-
quisite Indian bamboo CNandina
domestica) among the dark ever
green's. The contrast is arresting.
Their foliage, which is retained all
winter in this area. is fine in tex
ture and very thick. In autumn
the clear green of the summer
foliage turns to bronze and then
to scarlet; the plant is topped with
great tufts of red berries. This
splendid shrub grows from 6 to 8
feet here, much taller farther South.
1t needs full sun and will give best
returns when protected from north
and west winds. A yearly feeding of
COW manure or one of the CONNER
cially prepared manures will suffice
to keep it in healthy growing con-
dition.
Another shrub that should be
more widely used is the Photinia.
1t is one of the borad-leaf ever
green's and is lovely at all seasons
but especially so in autumn, when
each branch is outlined with GRIM
son berries. Plant the variety, viii
losa, and combine it with any of
the conifers for delightful contrast.
1t is foolproof, grows fairly rap
idly in sun or partial shade and
will thrive on minimum of cul-
tivation. Like the Nandina, yearly
manure feeding will keep it doing
well.
There is a barberry not half
enough used Berberis julianae. 1t
is also in the broad-leaf bracket
and is evergreen For a colorful
hedge, group or specimen, 1t is val
liable. The leaf is as large as a
holly leaf. exactly like it in form but
of a much brighter green. In the
autumn it turns to bronze and scar
let, adding a dramatic note to the
garden picture when the snow
comes. 1t must have full sun. any
fair soil with a yearly fertilizing
and the ends of the stems cut back
at intervals to prevent too tall a
growth
The Taxus family is yearly being
more appreciated, and from its many
varieties there is choice for any
landscape purpose. The dark rich
ness of the color of the yews is
not duplicated in all of nature. Try
planting among them, especially
among the spreading varieties,
specimen of the picturesque moon
light juniper 81. scopulorum ar
gentea and see how its pale sill
very loveliness intensifies the dark
beauty of the yews.
Like all the juniper family, moon
light must have full sun but is not
otherwise particular, though good
drainage and some food insure its
health.
All of these plants are easily pro-
cured at moderate prices. and none
are difficult to grow. Try some Of
them for change!