Use Shrubs Build at www.japanese-home-gardens.com

Once garden trees have been chosen and plotted on a plan, use shrubs build shrubs to build up the framework of the planting. Distribute those that have evergreen leaves over the whole of the garden. This is advisable for two reasons: first, it will give a certain amount of form to the entire plot, and second, it will prevent one particular corner from- becoming heavy and unchanging, which might be the case if the evergreens were all planted together. In very small gardens where there is no room for trees, shrubs must take their place, creating focal points and structure.

Grass, growing in the shade of trees and shrubs, has to compete with them for food as well as moisture. Relieve the pressure of this competition by providing for the needs of the trees and shrubs as •well as the grass. Fertilize the lawn regularly and also the trees and shrubs. So far as possible, place the fertilizer intended especially for the trees and shrubs deep in the soil so that their roots are encouraged to strike downward. This may be done by using the method described below. Fertilizer intended primarily for the grass is applied at the surface.

SHRUBS ARE commonly grouped either with other shrubs or with herbaceous plants and annuals, but some kinds look their best planted as isolated specimens and some can be trained against walls. Magnolia stellata is an excellent example of the former type and pyracantha, Japanese quince (Chaenomelesjaponica), and ceanothus all do well against walls, where their stiff branches may provide support for genuine climbers, such as the less rampant varieties of clematis. Most shrubs take several years to attain their full size. In the meantime, temporary plants, such as dahlias, annuals and herbaceous perennials, can be use shrubs buildd to fill the space until the shrubs require it all.