PLANTS FOR HEDGES

The selection of plants for hedges forms one of the most interestingsubjects in the study of use of plants. More often than for any otherpurpose trees and shrubs for hedges are selected either from an eco-nomic or an aesthetic point of view. It may be desired to have ahedge for its beauty, or it may be desired for the purpose of a screen, awindbreak, or as a definite barrier.

Many times it is desirable in the development of hedge plantations,especially those which are more than the average height (three to fourfeet), to develop a hedge which will retain its foliage during the wintermonths. This may be desirable for two reasons: first, to provide abarrier and at the same time a screen against objectionable views and tosecure privacy, and, second, to lend interest to a winter landscapebecause of the foliage effect. The only effective hedge barrier whichholds its leaves during the winter is one composed of conifers. Broad-leaved evergreens are not desirable for this purpose; mainly becausethey are not sufficiently compact in their habit of growth to meet therequirements of a hedge, and they do not lend themselves to shearing.The evergreen hedge which is planted for the purpose of providing acomplete screen, and requires a normal growth of the foliage, shouldseldom be planted in the heavy shade of large overhanging trees.Hedge plants which are selected as barriers or screens should be closegrowing and compact in habit. Many among them are thorny in char-acter, thus making passage through them very difficult.