Evening star., 1947-08-10


examples" of foundation planting
resulting from unwisely chosen plant
material.
Seldom do the people that live in
these camoudaged homes like their
appearance, or the darkened rooms
but they feel it might be a pity to
cut down those beautiful ever
greens-the house would look sc
bare" They don't know what plants
to use as substitutes-plants that
will really look attractive and that
will never get out of hand. Also
most home owners have the mis-
taken idea that replanting is a
very expensive undertaking.
The cause for all this screening
Of American homes is very simple
Most Of the plants, commonly used
are actually trees which are capable
of ultimate heights Of so or more
feet. The worst offender is the
Chamaecyparis or Falsecypress
formerly known as Retinospora
There are over 100 recognized varie-
ties and, while a few are relatively
dwarf, most varieties will reach the
second story windows in about five
years.
The next offender is the Thuja
(Biota) or, as it is commonly called,
arborvitae. Here again there are
some varieties that do actually stay
dwarf, but as the arborvitae is a
kind of cedar, most species grow to
astonishing heights in compare
lively short time. One can not be
so critical in speaking of the arbor-
vitae as of the Chamaecyparis as
some varieties can be used effec-
lively in place of red cedars, being
much easier to transplant. They
seldom, however, have place in
foundation planting-in fact never
for small homes.
Trees Choke Walks.
In addition to these two. other
commonly misused plants are vari-
GUS species of spruce and pine.
Even in this enlightened age" it
is not uncommon to see pair of
white or blue spruce planted so
close to the entrance of new home
that in five years it will be almost
impossible to pass between them.
These trees, originally planted in
sizes ranging from to feet, for
a few years may be more or less
satisfactory to the uninitiated. AS
they gradually get larger and larger,
and finally get completely out of
hand, the owner begins to realize
that something must be done. Lack
ing the courage to cut them down
he resorts to trimming and shear
ing. This may give temporary re-
lief from dark and dampened rooms
but the outward appearance is gro
tesque, to say the least. Topiary
work may have place in formal
gardens but it certainly doesn't
belong in front of American homes.
In other instances the house re-
mains almost completely hidden
because the owner doesn't get
around to the trimming operation
until it Is too late. Then he realizes
that trimming will ruin the ever
greens, so there is nothing to do
he thinks-but let them grow.
Replanting Is Contagious.
Although 1t may take many years
to start large-scale replanting
movement, it is refreshing to con-
template how great the improvement
would be If every home owner would
come out from behind those bushes"
by removing the overgrown plants
from the front of the house and re-
placing them with attractive, suit
able material. One thing is encour-
aging-replanting is very contagious.
Frequently one person in a neigh
borhood will unconsciously start the
ball rolling by replanting his own
home. Seeing the surprising results
and learning the modest cost, others
will say, "It doesn't look like the
same place! Why can't we do that
too?" Why not, indeed.
AS far as the cost goes, 1t Is very
small compared to the amazing
transformations that are possible
If you have your heart set On Eng
lish lockwood and hybrid rhododen-
dron the job will cost more, but
there are many less expensive plants
that will do the trick satisfactorily.
The saving resulting from the
elimination Of annual pruning,
shearing and spraying of the over
grown evergreens will frequently
cover the cost of replanting in few
years.
In some instances some of the
over-grown plants may be trans
planted successfully to the rear or
side yard. This will depend on the
kind of plants, how large they have
become and on their condition. AS
rule it will be found that the indi-
vidual plants, when taken out, will
have only one well developed side
if any. Also, if they are large, the
cost of moving them plus the risk
or their not living, makes it wiser to
cut them down.
Ties Home to Ground.
xllc1C Q lS IluCll W VIC o6ld ILL 4dpO4
of foundation planting, If properly
done, as it tends to tie the house to
the ground and make it look at home
in its surroundings. The tendency
is, however, to overdo it and not to
make sufficient allowance for the
ultimate growth Of the plants. A
continuous band of planting around
the house, or even across the front,
is neither necessary nor desirable,
If the first floor is relatively low. it
is more attractive to let the lawn, IN
certain places. run right up to the
foundation. Where the first floor
is well above grade, and the usual
cellar window-wells are in evidence,
it is generally necessary to plant the
entire front.
1t Is wiser to avoid the use Of tall
growing plants that tend to be
pyramidal in shape. Contrary to the