EFFECTIVE COMBINATIONS IN PLANTING.

Globe, Volume XXII, Issue 1841, 16 January 1880, Page 3

EFFECTIVE COMBINATIONS IN PLANTING.

[From 11 The Field,”]

A writer of the last generation draws attention to the charming contrast furnished by the near association of the deep-green broad foliage of the laurel, with the graceful, drooping, waving branches of the silverbarked birch, the weeping variety especially; rising out of a groundwork of laurels, rhododendrons, or other large-leaved evergreens, they always produce a striking effect, especially in winter. But the evergreen undergrowth should not be permitted to grow tall, so as to hide the trunks of the trees, as when this happens much of the intended effect is lost, and the undergrowth soon becomes, naked at the bottom and unsightly. The best way to manage low underwood of this fast growing character is to prune it annually—not hard in, but to cut back runaway shoots, as these are the leaders that carry directly upward the strength of the plants, which results in a wasted base. With a little attention every winter or early in spring the undergrowth is kept in good condition, and always looks well, forming a beautiful frame to the tree picture, and which may be arranged either to harmonise or in contrast by a careful selection of the materials employed, I have often thought that, in the arrangement of new plantations, hardly sufficient importance is attached to their winter aspects and effect. And yet it is in winter, when the skies are often covered with leaden clouds, and out-of-door aspects are of a gloomy character, that the mind is peonliary open to receive pleasing impressions from the contemplation of the tree vegetation of the earth, because at that season there is so little else to interest and arouse attention. It is true that, in most instances, the grounds near the house are generally well furnished with evergreens, not only with the view of securing shelter, but also of making a pleasant picturesqneness; and I think, so far as both o'.jects are concerned, their attainment is not compatible with a judicious use of deciduous trees and shrubs. We all know how the force of the fiercest wind is broken by a thick thorn or beech hedge in winter, when the leaves have mostly fallen; the cold current is grasped in the thick folds of the hedge, and dispersed on the other side in the gentlest zephyrs. In fact, no evergreen can grapple with a strong wind in the same manner as a stout thorn fence does, so far as concerns calming down and mitigating its injurious force. Then, again, in the annual change of dress, deciduous trees and shrubs have a decided advantage over evergreens, though I am not forgetting the beautiful tints assumed by the young growths cf the bos and yew trees, and many others of a similar character, in spring ; but they will not compare with the ever-varying fopage of those of a deciduous habit. There are numbers of large old elms of various kinds near where I am writing, and it is so pleasant to note the daily change in spring and autumn, when they are taking on and casting off their raiment. But when they are about half dressed in spring is the time when the effect seems most pleasing, as then their huge limbs can be traced through the cloud of greenish, golden-tinted drapery; and when the sun shines upon them the whole looks like a fairy scene. It is, therefore, very desirable to plant deciduous subjects freely among the evergreens, both in distinct groups, and also in single specimens. But I think the best effect is produced by groapa of deciduous trees or shrubs when springing out of a base of evergreens, as then, in winter, the whole surface is covered, there is no bare earth visible, and the whole has a thoroughly finished appearance.

To explain my meaning, I will give an illustration or two. Thus, the Ailanthus glandulosa is a very effective grouping shrub in summer, if not too much crowded, so that its long pinnate leaves can have room for development. When denuded of its foliage in winter, it puts one in mind of a room without furniture; there is little or nothing for the eye to rest upon. But plant underneath these bare stems some dwarf, closegrowing, evergreen shrubs, and a combination is created that is very pleasing always. I have seen the rosemary used for this purpose, and a very charming effect it has, either when close under the eye or at a distance from the point of view. Lilacs, syringas, and the guelder rose always look

well springing out o£ a bed of evergreede; i a <xo also thorns and laburnums, The common sarin, in a low dark mass, with taller, lighter foliage plants growing out cf it, has a very striking (fleet, and such contrasts always arrest and fix the attention. Hollies on a base of St. John’s wort (Hypericum calyoinum) have a finished look, whether the hollies be large or small, as the ground is all furnished, and so the arrangement does not lack completeness and it shortens the period one has to wait for the plants to fill up and hide the bare earth. But this hypericum is rather a strong-rooting plant, and requires to be kept within bounds, which can be accomplished in most soils by mowing it oS every spring. This plan of fi!ling-up between specimen shrubs or trees with a dwarf contrasting plant, does away with the necessity of planting many mosses, except a few on the windward side. There is a good deal cf protective power in low. close-growing plants; they stop the rush of cold currents near the suif co of the ground, shelter and protect the collar of the delicate plant, which is the meat vital part. I am acquainted with a garden, where there is a sloping bank forming a foreground to a group of deciduous trees. It is planted with specimen shrubs of various kinds, each having space sufficient to show its true character; whilst among the shrubs, completely covering all bare earth, is planted (Vinca major) the large periwinkle. This bank always presents a tasteful finished appearance, which every year seems to increase in interest, as the plants assume their true characters. The periwinkles are trimmed up in spring with the shears after they have completed tneir flowering, which is generally towards the end of April; the new growth breaks away directly, and the spaces between the shrubs are furnished with a delightful carpet, that has none of the formality of carpets generally, but a light free growth of a pleasing character. The thick growth effectually keeps down weeds, and conceals falling leaves and other debris of autumn and winter.