Home › S › Shrubberies and Shrubs
Shrubberies and Shrubs
The term Shrubbery is usually applied to a plantation of Shrubs, although many other plants not strictly of a shrubby nature may be intermixed. Shrubs are divided into two great classes, deciduous and evergreen; both are very largely represented in gardens, but, unfortunately, with some few exceptions, they do not generally receive the attention which they deserve. In the embellishment of flower-gardens and pleasure-grounds, Shrubs play a most important part; indeed, take these away, and more than half the beauty is gone. Some are best planted in large clumps by themselves--Rhododendrons, for instance--although such clumps may be associated with others where any kind of grouping is attempted, or an American garden laid out.
A point of great importance which, it is to be feared, is too often overlooked, is that Shrubs which have annually to perfect their wood for flowering--be they deciduous or evergreen--should not be planted under the shade of trees: they need an open situation, and plenty of light, if proper development is to be attained. There are some evergreen subjects that do well under trees, but they are extremely few compared with those which fail to thrive under such conditions. Foresttrees should not be admitted permanently into a Shrubbery: if planted there when young, it should be with a view to subsequent removal. Trees may, however, be utilised to form a background if they are sufficiently far away to prevent their roots from robbing the soil. Mixed Shrubberies are generally arranged and planted with a view to producing an effect throughout the summer; but by making a suitable selection, and arranging with judgment, they may be rendered attractive, either in flower or foliage, throughout the whole year. As a boundary or screen dividing cultivated from wild grounds, or as a background for a mixed border in flower-gardens, evergreen Shrubs are unsurpassed. American Shrubs, when they can be obtained in quantity, are best planted in beds by themselves, or plants of very dwarf stature may appropriately form an edging for others which do not exceed some 3ft. or 4ft. in height.
An endless variety of subjects, both evergreen and deciduous, may be accommodated in a mixed Shrubbery of only moderate extent, but the planting should only be entrusted to persons having a knowledge of the different habits and dimensions which are likely to be attained. For instance, the front line should be restricted to plants that habitually remain compact, and do not grow tall, while the back part may be filled with such specimens as are of the opposite description. The centre space will then accommodate others of medium stature, and the eye will gradually pass from front to back, while the habits of the various Shrubs employed will invariably prevent an undue formality. Overcrowding is especially to be avoided, but in planting a new Shrubbery, a large number of duplicates may be inserted, with a view of treating them as being in a nursery for a year or two, and then transplanting elsewhere as the permanent specimens require additional space. Constant attention is necessary in mixed Shrubberies, to prevent each plant, particularly if it be a strong-growing one, from over-growing its neighbour. This is a matter too often overlooked or neglected, and the consequence is that a slower-growing, but, as a rule, much more valuable, plant is either destroyed or disfigured because of the rampant growth of something else in too close proximity, as, for example, variegated Aucuba, Box, common or Portugal Laurels, or Yew. It is much better to keep all of these out of a Shrubbery, or relegate them to some back position where they may be allowed to grow and thicken without injuring the more select occupants.
Ground intended for a Shrubbery should be well trenched or deeply dug over before planting is attempted; it is then an easy matter to make holes where-ever they are required, and the soil, on being dug out again, will break up finer for intermixing amongst the roots. October is the best month for the general transplanting of Shrubs, but many evergreens may be safely moved with balls at almost any season from August until the following May, except during frosty or snowy weather. The roots should not be kept out of the ground longer than is really necessary; they are nearly always active, and soon suffer if exposed and allowed to get dry.