Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1955-08-14
By w. H. YOUNGMAN


Green walls, hedges, can be 9
most attractive feature in the
landscaping of the yard. Az
backgrounds for flower borders
walls to divide the grounds into
their various parts. screens fol-
privacy and for a host of other
uses, evergreens have much tc
offer. Undoubtedly Washington
area gardeners are. fortunate tc
have so many kinds from which
to choose.
Some evergreenS may be kept
TO a narrow width; some are best
adapted to the low hedge, while
others are effective to heights OF
10 feet or more. A few kinds
are adapted to the heavier shade
others-thrive either in sun OF
shade. and there are a number
that do we'll in full sun. Most
kinds require an annual pruning
A few need clipping several
times during the growing season
An evergreen hedge between
the house and the street helps to
deaden the noise of traffic as
we'll as to reduce dust. These
hedges also serve to reduce the
chill of winter winds. and, to
some extent. serve to guide cool
ing breezes into desired channels
during the summer.
Some Plant Best in Spring
September is the usual time
for the planting of evergreen
hedges although some kinds are
best planted in March or early
April. The Firethorn. for ex-
ample, is so slow in roofing that
even the balled anG burlapped
specimens frequently do not be-
come established before cold
weather. The lovely textured
hemlocks, except in protected
situations seldom thrive as well
from fall planting AS when set
out in the early spring.
Two evererecns are outs:and-
ing for their ability to grow in
both sun and shade-the hem
lock and the yew. The Ameri-
can holly will also grow both in
sun and shade hut is not so
happy in a wind-whipped sunny
situation. The Abelia and he
Firethorn will thrive in light
shade as we'll as in the sun. but
tire frethorn does not produce
as manv Of the brightly colored
fruits in the shade.
A considerable number CT the
coniferous evergreens may be
used for hedges. but for various
reasons are seldom so used. The
pines may be pruned to hedge
form. but the coarse needles are
lacking in the desired texture.
The spruces may be clipped to
hedge form but in this area are
net too dependable. The False
cypress. Chamae -cyparls. IS not
only suitable but has the desired
texture and retains it's lower
branches which should make it
desirable. For a sticky" hedge,
one that will turn passersby, the
strong growing evergreen h2r-
berry. Julianae (Rorberis JILL
amaze, is probably the hc-t.
Low Growing Hedges
For low-~rowlnG hedsas the
California pr.yeC has been and
still is widely used in the Wash
ington area in spite of the con-
slant trimmirg needed to keep
it within bounds. For beauty
and all-seaSon interest the
glossy Abelia is less demanding
and produces it's dainty bloom
from June until frost. Note:
The Abelia will freeze back in a
too-protected situationD The
firethorn (Pycrantha coccinea)
is effective as a low-trimmed
hedge and often adds to its IN
terest with a display of orange
colored fruits.
The well-known American ar
bovitae is ideally suited for the
sunny situation, The columnar
type will grow into a narrower
hedge than the pyramidal type.
Both make a taller screen than
the low, compact 1T. varvaene,
which at maturity seldom ex-
ceeds 8 feet in heighth without
pruning The Oriental arbovitae