Evening star., 1949-08-28
Evergreens for Home Yards
Proper Varieties Help Tie House to
Landscape; Make Setting for Shrubs

L IOp0I val lCllCo
Landscape; Make
By W. H.
Evergreens are a favored plant
ing material for Washington yards,
and we'll they might be for we need
their year-'round effect. But, we
also must admit they are often
times misused and mistreated. Too
often we put them in the wrong
situations, where they will neither
thrive nor give the desired effects
for more than a very few years.
Likewise, we try to prune them in
such a way that they will fit their
situation and this usually results
in an ugly looking plant that de-
tracts from rather than adds to
the paintings appearance.
BY the proper selection Of ever
greens and by giving them the
little bit Of care which they need.
we can have a most attractive
year. round effect. This is desir-
able because in this area with our
mild winters the paintings are on
display practically IL months a
year. They provide an excellent
background for deciduous shrubs
and plants. Well-chosen ever
greens soften the outlines Of the
building and effectively "tie" it
to the ground. Beyond the foun-
dation planting we find they serve
effectively as windbreaks and
screens as we'll as provide the oc-
casional specimen plant for the
yard. For these reasons the selec-
ton of eyergreens for the yard
deserves especial care. And, hav-
ing obtained suitable kinds, we
should not butcher them in prun-
ing nor neglect to protect them
when necessary.
One of the most common mis-
takes made in using evergreens is
the planting Of the wrong kinds
for foundation landscaping. Too
often we use the taller-growing
species for this purpose instead Of
those kinds which normally are
either such slow growers that they
do not outgrow their situation in
a few years, or are kinds that are
dwarf. The taller growing arbor-
vitates, false retinosporas (Cham-
aecyparis), Virginia cedars, hem
locks, ETC., are a few kinds which
grow too rapidly and too tall to
be used in a foundation planting
they are forest tree. There are
several low-growing arbor-vitaes,
one or two chamaecyparis, several
jumpers. one or two dwarf yews
and one dwarf hemlock that may
be used for this purpose.
Plant in Proper Place.
A second common mistake Is
the planting Of good ,evergreens in
the wrong situation as regards
sun, wind and shade. Only the
hemlock and the yews will thrive
in deep shade, although both will
take full sun. The jumpers seem
to be able to Withstand hot, dry
situations better than other kinds.
The arbor- -vitaes will thrive under
most conditions except extremes
Of shade dryness. The chamaecy-
paris does best on the east side OF
. house but will do well on the
south and west II not in, heavy
shade or In too dry q situation.
The third common mistake Is
the planting of off-color ever
greens. The landscape architect
uses conspicuous colored foliage
only as an accent plant, and. of
course, in the foundation plant
Ing such q plant would catch the
eye and hence draw the eye away
from the house which it is sup
posed to set OF. The plantsman
usually considers such plants as
being low In vitality and not "too
healthy" For these reasons the
use Of yellow-tinted, or off-col-
ored plants should be avoided as
they are likely to be in condition
for only q short period in the
spring. In the winter they may
turn an unhealthy brown and be
Objectionable.
Too often the home gardener
shears his evergreens to some
artificial outline. Usually we think
Of . sheared plant as being q part
Of q formal design. and as such
they seldom belong in q foundation
planting. In q hedge yes, but not
where we are trying to blend a
building into its surroundings.
While q certain amount of prun-
ing is necessary to keep evergreens
within bounds and compact and
vigorous in appearance, the clip
ping that destroys all semblance
Of natural shape and habit of
growth Is the mistake that We
have In mind.
Neglect Of evergreens oftentimes
results in weak growth and Of
course that adds nothing, rather
they detract from the appearance
Of the grounds. When such a con-
dition exists 1t becomes necessary
to prune the tops to bring them
into balance with the food and
moisture supply. Such plants
normally have thin foliage and
the pruning is needed to thicken
1t. Feeding and watering will also
be needed. However, heavy feed