Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1954-08-22

majority are Too widespreading
considering the limited area OF
the lot.
Some need comparatively little
pruning to keep them. within
narrow confines. others require
q considerable number of shear
ings each season. Some are
shallow rooted so that it is next
to impossible to have perennials
and other flowers close by. A
few provide bloom and/or fruits
which enhances their interest.
All of these points should be
taken into consideration, along
with the comparative costs, be-
fore making the final selection.
The Arborvitoe
The columnar American ar
borvitae is probably the most
commonly planted of the taller
growing, narrow-bodied ever
green's. It is suitable for small
properties, is hardy and COM
paratively free of diseases and
insect pests. However. it will
not do well in shade. The Ar
borvitae must be trimmed or
clipped each season if it Is to be
kept to a thickness of two feet.
Also, it should be topped each
season to keep it from stretch
ing upwards too fast and be-
come thinly foliaged at the base.
Regular pruning will keep the
arborvitae in good condition and
an effective background for
many years.
The Pyramidal arborvitae may
also be used but is difficult to
keep under 4 to 6 feet in thick
ness. The major pests seem 10
be the bagworm and the red
spider mite, both of them are
easily controlled by an OCCASION
al spraying with malathion.
The columnar arborvitae will
grow to 80 or 40 feet in time
but for such heights needs q
thicker base. Also. 1t is not prac-
tical to keep a hedge of that
height pruned, a ten or fifteen
feet height is more feasible
Conodion HemIock
The Canadian hemlock is an
other evergreen that can be kept
within a fairly narrow space
through regular pruning to 8
feet. Two prunings a season are
usually ample for this purpose;
occasionally, a single pruning
each season will be sufficient
The hemlock has one advantage
over the arborvitae, it will grow
in the sun or shade, thus Is
especially desirable where part
of the border is in shade and
part in sun: A moist situation
is best. The hemlock should not
be allowed to reach a height out
of reach of the primer because
1t would bush out like an UNI
brella.
Another evergreen that will
reach a moderate height, in time,
but is much slower growing than
the two just mentioned. is the
upright Japanese yew. Like the
hemlock, the Japanese yew will
grow in both sun and in shade,
but it Is a much slower grower;
conversely. it is not likely to
grow out Of bounds as quickly
The dark green foliage is con-
sidered most desirable but it will
take at least two prunings each
season to keep it from spreading
widely. perhaps a third will be
needed after the new growth is
well started.
Among the broadleayed ever
green's, the .hollies are worthy
of consideration although they
may winterburn in exposed sit
uations. Generally speaking,
they are best in light shade. But
the hollies american, English,
and Japanese) make most at
tractive hedges and with care
will last many years. 1t takes
one or two prunings a. year to
keep them in good appearance.
The bright red fruits of the
American holly are well known,
few ever notice the black fruits
of the Japanese. These two may
be kept under three feet in
thickness at the base. The holly
leaf miner oftentimes disf1gures
the foliage of the American
holly, but can be controlled by
spraying with DOT in the spring.
The Japanese holly seldom ex-
ceeds 10 feet in height, the
American and English hollies are
much taller-growing.
Euonymus ond Beech
Another evergreen, but not so
tall growing, is the euof1ymus-
it is not suitable for a hedge or
screen over 6 feet. The bright
green foliage Is most attractive
and it can be kept within
bounds by one or two trimmings
a year. It is subject to scale
insects but Malathion will keep
that pest under control. The
euonymus will tolerate some
shade but does best in full sun.
It Is not subject to sunburn in
the winter as are some of the
other broadleayed evergreens.
Among the deciduous shrubs
and trees for narrow spaces, the
European beech is most COM
monty mentioned because it can
be kept to a foot, or more, In
II