If, therefore, one has several strips of lawn to embellish3 with shrubbery and wishes to economize4 the expenditure5 as far as possible it will be found a most excellent plan to make a mixed planting on the most urgent section, selecting those shrubs which by their manner of root formation offer possibilities of rapid increase and use the product for subsequent planting; taking all290 of the sort of plant so as to leave as few varieties in the old bed as possible and in this way simplifying the ultimate planting of the entire grounds.
When these new offspring have reached a presentable size they may be retained and the other sorts which can now be spared may be removed to a new location, planting out the youngsters in their vacated positions.
There are three classes of plants which lend themselves very readily to propagation through root division, layering and root offshoots. The first is found in those plants which make an exuberant6 root system of many fine feeding roots and many stems. A good example of this class is found in the Hydrangea arborescens which may be lifted, pulled apart and the several plants reset7 without in any way disturbing its growth intention. In this respect it differs materially from H. paniculata which, while making a generous root system, has but the one main stem and so is incapable8 of division but is easily propagated by cuttings thrust into the ground in the shade of the plant early in June. H. arborescens is291 similar in habit to many perennials9 which are increased by root division, as for instance the Shasta daisy, English daisy, English violets, polyanthus and others.
Often a plant of H. arborescens purchased from the florist10 will admit of the removal of two or three smaller parts without seriously injuring the appearance of the original plant and if these are set out and well cared for they will quickly develop into blossoming plants for this form is an early and reliable bloomer.
Spir?a Anthony Waterer is another shrub1 which may be increased by pulling apart the roots; indeed this plant is benefited by occasional treatment of this sort, doing much better and flowering more freely. Planted in front of taller shrubs it is a very desirable and reliable plant and if the faded flowers are removed after the spring florescence it will continue to produce flowers throughout the summer.
One of the most easily propagated shrubs is found in the symphoricarpus or snow-berry; indeed, in the case of this pretty shrub the difficulty292 is not to increase one's stock as the new growth is usually prostrate11 the first year, lying supinely on the ground and if left undisturbed will throw out roots at the joints13 and rapidly produce attractive little plants as robust14 as the parent stock. Lifting the branches occasionally will prevent rooting but usually one likes to have the new plants form. I do. After becoming well rooted the branch should be severed15 between the plant and the parent. As the root growth is dense16, consisting of a mass of fibrous roots, the young plants can be lifted at almost any time and reset without much check to growth. The pale, pinky-white flowers come in mid-summer, followed by the white berries which remain on the bushes well into the winter and are very attractive.
Somewhat similar in its way of increase is the Deutzia-Pride of Rochester. That magnificent shrub which challenges our admiration17 when covered with its drooping18, bell-shaped white flowers late in June and which, under favorable conditions, assumes the proportions of a small tree. Like the symphoricarpus the lateral19 branches are293 more or less inclined to a recumbent or prostrate habit or because of their flexibility20 are easily pegged21 down and root easily at the joint12 but do not make as vigorous root growth and the joint should have a little earth drawn22 over it and be kept moist by placing a stone on top. This shrub is so altogether desirable that several branches may well be devoted23 to the increase of stock, one or more plants being produced from each branch.
Of those shrubs which throw up suckers from the roots the lilac will occur to most people as a well-known example, so if in buying the newer, double-flowered sorts one will insist on purchasing plants upon their own roots and not be satisfied with grafted24 plants one will soon become possessed25 of a quite respectable planting of lilacs of notable size and color of bloom. The suckers should be removed as soon as they have had one season of growth for the protection of the parent plant which will be much depleted26 in bloom by their permanent presence.
One of the most beautiful foliage27 shrubs, the fern-leaved sumac—Rhus typhina laciniata—forms294 root rhizomes which send up volunteer plants at each joint. These should be removed and replanted. This is one of the most beautiful ornamentals28 with which I am acquainted, quite rivalling the Japanese maples29. The leaves are compound or pinnate, fifteen to eighteen inches long and of a dark, rich green on the upper side, glaucous beneath and with a rich red midrib—an elegant fern-like spray which is very useful in cut flower work and in autumn turns to the most vivid crimson30 imaginable. It does best when protected from severe wind, from which it seems to shrink, distorting its symmetrical growth. In good rich soil a half dozen offshoots may appear the second year after planting and after one has once become familiar with its beauty all will be welcome.
Another small tree or shrub with similar characteristics is the Aralia spinosa or Hercules' club as it is commonly called. This also has the compound leaves somewhat resembling the black walnut31 but of gigantic proportions, two to three feet in length and of equal breadth, giving295 the tree a most tropical effect. It is very easily transplanted and a few trees in a clump32 are very effective or it is fine as a specimen33 tree and owing to its abundance of spines34 can be utilized35 effectively as a hedge. Where only a single tree is wanted it is easily kept in check by cutting out the rhizomes with a spade close to the parent plant.
The euonymus, or burning bush as the Indians always called it, propagates itself by means of its coral berries which appear in quantities in late summer or early fall. One finds the volunteer plants appearing every spring in places where one least expects them and one can lift and transplant them wherever desired.
Another most attractive shrub which may be easily raised from seed sown in spring is the Buddleya—a plant with long racemes—in the newer form of B. veitchiaa, over twenty inches long, of violet mauve flowers of a delightful36 violet fragrance37. Spring-sown seed will often produce blossoming plants the first season which in the second will attain38 a height of from three to five296 feet and be a perfect bouquet39 of bloom throughout the summer. The branches are somewhat pendulous40 and in the young state are better for a little support. They afford delightful material for cut-flower work and the odor has that fugitive41 elusive42 quality of the violet, seeming to come from different directions and to elude43 one's search.
It will be found an excellent plant to combine with Spir?a Van Hutti as it comes into bloom after that splendid plant has rested on its laurels44 for the summer and keeps the hedgerow alive with bloom and fragrance.
点击收听单词发音
1 shrub | |
n.灌木,灌木丛 | |
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2 shrubs | |
灌木( shrub的名词复数 ) | |
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3 embellish | |
v.装饰,布置;给…添加细节,润饰 | |
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4 economize | |
v.节约,节省 | |
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5 expenditure | |
n.(时间、劳力、金钱等)支出;使用,消耗 | |
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6 exuberant | |
adj.充满活力的;(植物)繁茂的 | |
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7 reset | |
v.重新安排,复位;n.重新放置;重放之物 | |
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8 incapable | |
adj.无能力的,不能做某事的 | |
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9 perennials | |
n.多年生植物( perennial的名词复数 ) | |
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10 florist | |
n.花商;种花者 | |
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11 prostrate | |
v.拜倒,平卧,衰竭;adj.拜倒的,平卧的,衰竭的 | |
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12 joint | |
adj.联合的,共同的;n.关节,接合处;v.连接,贴合 | |
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13 joints | |
接头( joint的名词复数 ); 关节; 公共场所(尤指价格低廉的饮食和娱乐场所) (非正式); 一块烤肉 (英式英语) | |
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14 robust | |
adj.强壮的,强健的,粗野的,需要体力的,浓的 | |
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15 severed | |
v.切断,断绝( sever的过去式和过去分词 );断,裂 | |
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16 dense | |
a.密集的,稠密的,浓密的;密度大的 | |
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17 admiration | |
n.钦佩,赞美,羡慕 | |
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18 drooping | |
adj. 下垂的,无力的 动词droop的现在分词 | |
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19 lateral | |
adj.侧面的,旁边的 | |
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20 flexibility | |
n.柔韧性,弹性,(光的)折射性,灵活性 | |
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21 pegged | |
v.用夹子或钉子固定( peg的过去式和过去分词 );使固定在某水平 | |
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22 drawn | |
v.拖,拉,拔出;adj.憔悴的,紧张的 | |
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23 devoted | |
adj.忠诚的,忠实的,热心的,献身于...的 | |
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24 grafted | |
移植( graft的过去式和过去分词 ); 嫁接; 使(思想、制度等)成为(…的一部份); 植根 | |
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25 possessed | |
adj.疯狂的;拥有的,占有的 | |
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26 depleted | |
adj. 枯竭的, 废弃的 动词deplete的过去式和过去分词 | |
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27 foliage | |
n.叶子,树叶,簇叶 | |
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28 ornamentals | |
装饰的,装饰用的( ornamental的名词复数 ) | |
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29 maples | |
槭树,枫树( maple的名词复数 ); 槭木 | |
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30 crimson | |
n./adj.深(绯)红色(的);vi.脸变绯红色 | |
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31 walnut | |
n.胡桃,胡桃木,胡桃色,茶色 | |
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32 clump | |
n.树丛,草丛;vi.用沉重的脚步行走 | |
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33 specimen | |
n.样本,标本 | |
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34 spines | |
n.脊柱( spine的名词复数 );脊椎;(动植物的)刺;书脊 | |
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35 utilized | |
v.利用,使用( utilize的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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36 delightful | |
adj.令人高兴的,使人快乐的 | |
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37 fragrance | |
n.芬芳,香味,香气 | |
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38 attain | |
vt.达到,获得,完成 | |
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39 bouquet | |
n.花束,酒香 | |
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40 pendulous | |
adj.下垂的;摆动的 | |
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41 fugitive | |
adj.逃亡的,易逝的;n.逃犯,逃亡者 | |
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42 elusive | |
adj.难以表达(捉摸)的;令人困惑的;逃避的 | |
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43 elude | |
v.躲避,困惑 | |
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44 laurels | |
n.桂冠,荣誉 | |
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