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Thicket-forming Shrubs Mostly: The thicket-forming shrubs mostly shrubs and mostly small :rees are characterized by broad small evergreen eaves which are thick, hard, and leathery. How-sver, some species have narrow evergreen leaves ind others are deciduous. This growth form has developed in a warm climate of mild wet winters and hot dry summers. Total annual rainfall ranges only from 10 to 30 inches. The growing season is in late winter and early spring. Trees jrow in valleys, along streams, and in groves. 3pen areas are occupied by herbs, including grasses and many winter annuals.
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 used to fill the space until the shrubs require it all. |
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