Author , ** *<>/• o o Title •* * * * Imprint. DESIGN AND IMPROVEMENT of School Grounds W. C. COKER AND ELEANOR HOFFMANN '* "i. ••','. v l?*&-m -Wig' % - C H A V el-.h.»lu-g-'Ra:dej>-5ch ooi_- Bureau of Extension Bulletin Published by THE UNIVERSITY OF NORTH CAROLINA PLATE 1 PALMETTOS ON SMITH ISLAND, N. C. Reprinted from the Journal of the E. Mitchell Sci. Soc. Vol. 31, Plate 10, 1918 BUREAU OF EXTENSION BULLETIN SPECIAL SERIES No. 1 DESIGN AND IMPROVEMENT OF School Grounds By W. C. COKER AND ELEANOR HOFFMANN ii PUBLISHED BY THE UNIVERSITY OF NORTH CAROLINA Chapel Hill, N. C. 1921 LIBRARY OF CONGRESS -> c <->-••,.--, APR 251921 DOCUMENT.: „lON c 4, INTRODUCTION In order to promote the beautifying of school grounds in North Carolina, the Bureau of Extension has established a new division called the Division of Design and Improvement of School Grounds under the immediate direction of Dr. W. C. Coker, Kenan Professor of Botany and Director of the University Arboretum, and Miss Eleanor Hoffmann, secretary of the division and field worker. Bulletin Contains Designs and Suggestions To facilitate its work and to present the program of ground improve- ments which it contemplates, the division has prepared the following bulletin which contains a number of designs for actual and hypotheti- cal school grounds, each design being accompanied by a planting plan showing the plants to be used. There are also photographs and sketches of illustrative plantings from various sources such as the University Arboretum and private grounds. All designs and planting plans are by Dr. Coker. Photographs are by Dr. Coker, R. W. Eoister, Dr. J. K. Small and various students. All inking in of plates (except pis. 5 and 6) and text figures 1 and 2 have been done by Miss Hoffmann. Miss Cornelia S. Love has done the cover drawing, plates 5 and 6, and the other text figures. The text of the Bulletin consists of advice as to principles of planting so as to secure the most desirable effects, together with descriptions of trees, shrubs, and flowers recommended for use in the three main sec- tions of the state — east, middle and west. Service Throughout the State A second purpose of the Division is the giving of direct assistance through the preparation of specific plans by Dr. Coker and through personal visits by Miss Hoffmann to any school that indicates a desire for help. Miss Hoffmann will also visit other organizations as opportunity allows, in order to arouse interest in the general subject of the improve- ment of grounds. 4 Design and Improvement of School Grounds Method of Procedure In offering this service, the Bureau will follow the usual practice which obtains in all its service — no charge will be made for personal visits except that the traveling expenses of the field workers will be borne by the school or organization visited. Requests for additional copies of this Bulletin or for other informa- tion should be addressed to the Division of Design and Improvement of School Grounds, The Bureau of Extension, Chapel Hill, "N. C. Other State Aid In designing the school building and in the choice of a site the State Department of Education at Raleigh through the Director of Schoolhouse Planning, Mr. John J. Blair, is now giving valuable aid. Improperly placed buildings or inadequate grounds make it impossible from the start to develop and improve the grounds to meet the needs of the community. Louis R. "Wilson, Director. PLATE 2 "'■■gjgjjf . 1]9 ■ "'~H' ■ "' i:t'.- ; ■'■.'■' .; *-. ::: ": ^ ■•-•"•■ •"""'■■;-.■•■ •'' ■ ' ' i SCENES IN THE UNIVERSITY ARBORETUM Chapel Hill, N. C. WHY MAKE THE SCHOOL GEOUNDS ATTEACTIYE? Without encroaching too much on the philosophy of Herr Teufels- drockh we may divide clothing into two classes — clothes of the body and clothes of the spirit. In the Garden of Eden they placed most emphasis on clothes of the spirit. And why ? Because in the Garden of Eden for a while at least the spirit was dominant over the body. If we find today that the clothes of the body are of more concern to us than the clothes of the spirit it means that the body is dominant over the spirit. We cannot choose or modify to our wills all of the garments that our souls must wear, but it is one of the most wonderful blessings that we have to be thankful for that almost all of the vesture that is beyond our control is beautiful and pure. The Earth Spirit in Eaust speaks of nature as the "Living, visible garment of God." It is also our garment, and as we look around us at this wonderful world, at the pageantry of nature in all its glory, shall we not walk proudly that we have been thought worthy to wear such vestments ? Yet in the midst of all this it is a sad fact that most of us bring our daily offerings to the God of Ugliness and Dirt. Almost all the dirty and ugly things that we wear are of our own making. Old papers and pans, old bottles and cans, Dead chickens and cats, the flies and the rats — And other pollutions unfitting to tell — That send up for incense only a smell. Do we realize that all of these things are feathers in our plumage? That each of these things is a piece of the stuff from which we have woven our spiritual garments? Are we not ashamed to wear such clothes ? Yes, doubly ashamed since we both make them and wear them ! The things that are around us act upon us and elevate or depress us according to their nature. As Byron says "I live not in myself, but I become a portion of that around me." When a soldier puts on his uniform he becomes more of a soldier than before. He will hold himself more proudly, and be braver, too. 6 Design and Improvement of School Grounds In one of his essays Chesterton remarks that we should all wear clothes according to our profession and beliefs. What a relief it would be in dealing with a man to see that he had on the uniform of an honest man. Could he stoop to a lie? Could he dishonor the uniform he wore — an azure uniform with stars in it? It is not possible to overestimate the ennobling influence of things that are beautiful and pure. They can strengthen and sustain beyond all power save human love. Encompassed and uplifted by the glory of the world Whitman exclaimed : "I am larger, better than I thought ; I did not know I contained so much goodness." This expansion of spirit before the pageantry of nature was proof of his own greatness, for "The perception of beauty is a moral test." You remember Hawthorne's story of the Great Stone Face: When only a boy Ernest saw it there on the mountain, the wonderful linea- ments of a divine face, carved from the living rock by the hand of God. It was with him day by day. His mind took it in; his soul absorbed it; his tentacles of love and faith went forth and touched it. He rose to meet it — until at last he stood transfigured, grown into the likeness of that majestic face. Tagore has said: "Every child that comes into the world is a mes- sage that God is not yet discouraged of man." What if we should take this message seriously, take each child as one more solemn effort of nature to try the possibilities of the human soul? Would we be willing to let this messenger report another failure, this great effort be again futile? Only the profoundest genius can rise far above his surroundings, and few indeed are they who rise above them at all. What if some day a child should come into the world and find it pre- pared to receive him ! We have a peculiar duty, fellow teachers, not only to ourselves, but to the young people in our care. Surround them with beauty and they will stoop less easily to an ugly act. Make things clean about them and they will give heed less quickly to an unclean thought. Set before them that which is worthy, and day by day they will elevate their spirits to meet it face to face. How to Begin Most school boards have very little money at their disposal either for buying more land or for beautifying what land they have, but this lack is being met in various ingenious ways on the part of individuals, Design and Improvement op School Grounds 7 towns and organizations. Unfortunately school superintendents are swamped with work, and not many perhaps are really much interested in the appearance of the grounds. Many, however, who appear indif- ferent may easily be aroused if their attention is attracted in the right way. Individuals in every community, eager to pass on this love of plants to their children and neighbors, would be glad to give trees and shrubs to the school. To secure contributions and plants it is a good plan to publish a list of the kinds needed in the local paper. Perhaps the most efficient method of arousing interest and enthusi- asm is through local clubs like Women's Civic Leagues and Parent- Teachers' Associations. Splendid work has been done in one town where, through the zeal of the Women's Civic League, a property owner prom- ised to give a valuable tract of land adjacent to the school grounds if they would raise $500 for playground apparatus. By fairs, dinners, sales and individual contributions the $500 was finally raised and now the school owns enough land for playgrounds, basketball, baseball, three tennis courts, and a charming grove for a public park. In another town the stimulus for improvement came through the president of the Parent-Teachers' Association who had just returned from the west where she had been tremendously impressed by the beauty of the school grounds. In another town the Parent-Teachers' Asso- ciation of one of the grammar schools had had the offer from a public spirited member of all the shrubs they could use for the front of their grounds and had written to the University for planting plans. If the enthusiasm lasts this school will soon be a pleasure to the community and its children, setting a standard that many will try to emulate. Pioneers in such progress have an influence much greater than they often realize. Where the school is fortunate enough to have a good course in botany or nature study, and in every school where the younger children are being taught something about plant life, nothing could be of more interest to class work than occasional trips to the woods and fields for shrubs and trees to plant in the school yards. Every child notices the plants that have showy flowers in the spring or brilliant foliage in the fall. A field trip with the children at any time of year will result in the finding of many things to transplant, all without the slightest expense, and will result in greater knowledge and love of nature. SIMPLE PRINCIPLES OF DESIGN AND PLANTING Foundation Planting Soften the outline of the buildings and relate them to the lawn by- placing shrubs in angles and here and there along the sides. If only one sort is used in a place it should be a kind that branches outward from the base as it bends over and touches the ground. Among the best of these are Van Houtte's and Thunberg's spireas, winter jessa- mine, forsythias, Thunberg's barberry, oak-leafed hydrangea, the deut- sias, and such evergreens as arbor-vitae, yew, box, holly-leaved olive, sweet olive, pittosporum, and yopon. Taller sorts that tend to become bare below should be planted behind others that are lower and reach the grass. Many native wild shrubs that flourish in the vicinity can be used with fine effect if sensibly chosen and placed. (See p. 10, also the shrub lists.) Walks and Driyes Run the walks and drives where most needed, but try to keep them near the buildings and around the borders. Do not put them directly against a building or fence, but leave a space about three feet to seven feet wide for a grass and shrub border. Grounds that are cut up by a multitude of small trails have lost a large part of their beauty. If the walks decided on as the fewest number possible are made quite adequate in breadth, clearly laid off and surfaced with gravel, and bordered by a row of stones or bricks, it will be much easier to keep people off the grass than where carelessly laid and poorly defined walks tempt one to ignore them. "Where curves or angles offer a strong temptation to cut across the grass to save a little distance, about the only practical deterrent is to place a group of shrubs along the critical points, and the more formidable these are the better. If trifoliate ■orange, Japan quince, or strong-growing roses, such as McCartney, prairie or rugosa, are used they will stop even the most venturesome with their thorns. Do not try to avoid straight walks where they are more convenient, especially when there are other straight lines near, such as by boundaries of the property or near the buildings. A straight line is no more unnatural than a curved one, though it is rarer. All depends on circumstances. A curved walk or drive through open country It* * , ;lr Design and Improvement of School Grounds 9 or lawns or through woods is much more pleasing and natural-looking than a straight one, and on uneven ground a straight walk would offend all ideas of fitness and harmony. On the other hand, nothing is more pleasing than a long, straight walk "bordered with shrubbery or arched with trees, leading with obvious purpose to some distant objective or vista. The formal garden near the house with its straight lines and symmetrical arches and curves is a recognized unit of artistic design, and when properly connected with other features in no way interferes with the natural treatment of other sections of the grounds. Open Spaces Keep the lawn area open in large part and group the trees in the background around the margins, with shrubs and flowers in front of them in such amount as conditions allow. The choice and arrangement of these plants will show results in proportion to the skill and experience of the designer. If the available grounds must be divided into more than one section, as is usually the case, they should be connected if possible by as broad a lawn strip as space allows, and this should be left open so as to allow an unobstructed view of the entire distance. This will afford pleasing vistas and a sense of spaciousness not possible in a number of separated, smaller areas. Making the Lawn A really good lawn is expensive to make and to keep, but a respectable grassy area can be had for very little cost. For the least possible outlay proceed as follows: see that the soil is well drained and all rocks, stumps and trash removed ; plough deeply and if the surface is irregular with ridges and sinks use a drag to produce a level surface or an even slope. Make the ground as rich as you can afford with stable manure, cottonseed meal, or commercial fertilizer. Harrow with a disc harrow until the ground is well pulverized then follow with finer harrows to smooth. Sow the grass and cover with a cedar top or a very fine harrow. In the coastal plain the most practical grass is Bermuda, which may be planted by scattering and covering up the chopped-up runners. In the middle and western sections use a mixture of equal parts Kentucky blue grass, creeping bent grass, sheep fescue, and per- p ennial rye grass and plant at the rate of a tilaewroaw lNi p ounds per acre"^* 4 in fall or early spring. It is absolutely necessary to use a lawn mower often if the lawn is to be at all presentable, and watering in dry seasons 10 Design and Improvement of School Grounds will be a great help. For more detail as to lawn making and the erad- icating of weeds see an article by Coker in the Journal Elisha Mitchell Scientific Society, Vol. 31, p. 162, 1915. Boundary Planting It is usually best to outline the entire property by a distinct boundary mark of some kind, preferably a stone wall or a hedge, and not to have this easily penetrated except at certain entrances. This will greatly lessen the danger of destructive invasion by thoughtless people or wilful marauders. Distant Tiews If distant objects of beauty can be seen from the grounds, as moun- tains, valleys, rivers or ocean, the planting should be so ordered as to leave these unobstructed and to accentuate them as much as possible by a framework of trees. If it is possible to have the trees arch over these distant views it will add a wonderful charm to the picture. It is equally obvious that all ugly sights, such as outbuildings, back yards of neighbors (unless they are kept better than most), dump heaps, etc., should be hidden by appropriate plantings. What to Plant It is best to use our own native trees, shrubs and flowers, to as great an extent as is consistent with expediency and common sense. As in designing, so in planting material, there have been and still are con- tending "schools." The naturalistic school has now largely replaced the older formalism in design and this has carried with it a similar "natural" tendency in the selection of the plants to be used. It is well to avoid the extremes of any tendency and to savor dogmas with com- mon sense. There are those who carry the naturalistic in planting so far as to insist on the use of only such plants as grow wild in the immediate vicinity. A garden so planted might be a good hobby for a few people so inclined, and could be made very beautiful. It could not be made, however, without far more labor, thought and knowledge than is usually available or would be necessary under a less rigid concep- tion. It should not be forgotten that the exotic plants that are most used in our gardens have won their way there by very superior qualities that have stood the most exacting test of years. In hardihood, adaptability Design and Improvement of School Grounds 11 and staying power they have proved themselves superior to many of our native plants that might be more beautiful or picturesque if all their exacting requirements were met. In the case of trees, there is far less reason for the use of exotics than with shrubs and flowers. Our state is so rich in trees of every form and size that there is little need of our going outside of our natural wealth. We cannot find anything for this climate that can equal a large number of our own species for permanence, size and beauty, and it should be the rule to use our natives in the great mass of our plant- ings. Even here, however, it would be foolish to exclude such exotics as crape myrtle and mimosa that fill so admirably the special needs that nothing we have can quite supply. A few more words are necessary here to avoid a wrong impression. While there are many of our native flowers that have already become recognized as most desirable ornamentals, there are also many others that have not yet been given a fair chance to show what they can do with a little encouragement from man. We have in the past shamefully neglected our opportunity to test, select, breed and improve them. Most of the best things we have from abroad are horticultural forms that have been selected from many variations and are the result of long years of conscious effort to improve. Many a gem in the woods at our very door is only awaiting a little digging and polishing to be worthy to take its place among the ornaments of any garden. Regional Differences From the evidences of its plant life the climate of North Carolina, from Smith Island to the mountain summits, exhibits about the same differences as that shown between northern Florida and Labrador. Over such a wide range of conditions it is impossible for us to give detailed advice in garden and horticultural practice, and a distinct modicum of common sense must be infused into the reading of this sketchy Bulletin if the best results are to be expected. As the old darky said who had sold a mule and was asked how he should be handled : "Dat depens on which en ob de mule you talkin' bout." We have tried throughout to indicate the regions most suited to the plants mentioned, but much that is said must be taken as not applicable to extreme cases. On account of the unique interest of the sub-tropical strip, which includes most of Brunswick, New Hanover and Onslow counties, we have given one hypothetical plan for a school in this region. Of the plants used in 12 Design and Improvement of School Grounds this plan all are native there except the Cherokee rose, oleander, tam- arisk and tea. There might also he used in the plan such half tender things as loquat and camellia. In other parts of the state few know that the tea plant is almost or quite hardy along our coast and as far west as Fayetteville. Few also know the beauty and wonderful deco- rative value of our native coastal plants. Even in their own home they are often neglected for exotics of far less charm and character. The higher mountain tops, while of intense interest botanically, do not support school houses and need not detain us here. But our large mountain region of moderate altitude (1800-4000 feet) is so wonderfully adapted to beautiful evergreens, as spruces, firs, hemlocks, and those magnificent members of the heath family as rhododendrons, kalmias, azaleas, etc., that no one there need go away from home to find things fit for the most ambitious estate. In fact, there is no similar group of shrubs in the world that can surpass our North Carolina natives of the heath family. There are so many other beautiful shrubs in the mountains to supplement these with that one is tempted to go on and on in their praise. There are between 150 and 160 species of shrubs in our mountains, many of which could be easily cultivated in their own region. A few of the most conspicuous are (besides the above) sweet fern, yellow root, sweet shrub, syringas, hydrangeas, spireas, red haws, locusts, sumachs, huckleberries and viburnums. (See p. 27 for condensed lists of plants best suited to each section.) Select the Strong and Hardy Use only plants that are vigorous and quite hardy in your neighbor- hood, that is, unless you have both time and inclination to meet the exacting needs of more tender and helpless things. "We could easily have added hundreds of species to those actually used in our plans in this pamphlet or recommended as desirable, but we have rigidly excluded all that cannot succeed with the minimum of attention. Others we have excluded for no reason except lack of space. It may be said there is not a native tree or shrub in the state that could not be used to advantage under suitable conditions. Mass Planting As a rule it is best to use several plants of the same kind together, or in ample grounds even a large number, so that more effect and more repose can be secured. The extent of each shrub mass should be de- tr f o > P a p W re" B s f 1 " O p re > W o G* s u p p o re ft. 5' p 005 H c^ O P O p £d 5' t- 1 re > ft. 3 o H 3 O S? 3 re a =-H o t" 1 »-i i> P 3 2 re K H !> & g H a: Cf d > f CO O W o o F ► H H i—i hd W o H Design and Improvement of School Grounds 19 The Use of Scientific Names The use of scientific names in addition to the popular names may seem superfluous, hence the need of a word of explanation. An ex- clusive use of popular names brings about great confusion, since in dif- ferent sections of the country the same name is often applied to many different species. Take the pine family for example: of the thirty- nine species in the United States nine different ones are called spruce pine, six are called yellow pine; the long-leaf pine of the coastal plain (Pinus palustris) has twenty-seven different popular names. There is a western pine which, among other names, is called brown-bark pine, yellow pine, red pine and black pine. Accuracy in nomenclature is particularly important in dealing with nurseries. In ordering an oak, for instance, you might be sent any one of the twenty- four species that are native to this state; by specifying laurel oak you might either get that or the shingle oak, also called laurel oak, but if you say Quercus laurifolia there will be no mistake. Use the scientific name in ordering from nurseries. Our book, The Trees of North Carolina, listed on p. 48, should enable any educated person to find the names of the trees without any difficulty. The scientific naming of plants is not entirely a bit of imagination, though some of it is. Many plants are named for their qualities, but many are named for men or states or countries, and some even for senti- mental reasons, as to compliment a sweetheart. Carolus Linneaus, the great Swedish botanist, and founder of botani- cal nomenclature, named many of our plants that were sent to him by collectors of early days. He used every possible consideration in nam- ing plants, frequently as a compliment to his friends, and often to per- petuate the names of collectors or states. But often he was purely fanciful, and sometimes perpetrated jokes with his naming, as in the case of a genus of flowers, some of them wild here, that is closely related to the Wandering Jew. They have pretty blue flowers that are con- spicuous along embankments in our mountains. In studying the flowers of one of these plants Linneaus found that they had two kinds of stamens; some perfect that produced pollen, and others sterile that produced nothing. When he saw this it reminded him of three Dutch friends of his named Commelin. They were brothers and all botanists. Two of them were energetic men, and published a good deal of botanical investigation. The other brother was intelligent but too lazy to publish 20 Design and Improvement of School Grounds anything. He would not take that much trouble. So Linneaus named this plant Commelina after the Commelin brothers, which were also of two kinds, fertile and sterile. THE PERGOLA OR ARBOR Besides the trees and shrubs that enhance the beauty of grounds a pergola should be considered. In a garden it is somewhat of a luxury, but it can hardly be thought of as such on school grounds. Many of our school children come from such a distance that they must bring their lunch with them. Since we realize that it is absolutely necessary to have the children out of doors and the building aired during every recess, this means that the child must find some place on the school grounds to eat his midday meal. Leaning up against the building in a hot sun to eat is neither pleasant nor restful. A long simple vine- covered pergola would solve this problem. Here the children could spend a quiet noon hour eating their lunch in peace and protection from the sun. The expense of such a pergola can be reduced to a minimum if cedar or cypress logs are contributed by various parents and the manual training class builds it. People will be glad to con- tribute vines such as wisteria, which will transform the pergola into one of the most beautiful as well as one of the most useful features of the grounds. Other vines well suited for the pergola are yellow jessa- mine, trumpet vine, cross vine, wild or cultivated grapes and climbing roses (see fig. 5). For details of the design see Plate 12. If trash containers are placed in the pergola it will help to eliminate the papers and scraps, results of this meal that one so often sees scattered over the grounds. These should be inconspicuous in color and shape and placed beside the posts at frequent intervals. Fig. 5 Design and Improvement of School Grounds 21 SCHOOL GARDENS Almost as important as the school grounds themselves is the school garden. Here each child can experiment for himself in the growth of vegetables and flowers. A task that seems mere drudgery at home may be a pleasure when it is part of a competition with friends. Even if a child raises only one thing and does that well he has gained in knowledge and practical experience. A row of well grown lettuce may be quite as valuable to him or her as a perfect arithmetic lesson. It is surprising how few kinds of vegetables are planted in the average country garden. Such fine and useful things as asparagus, lettuce, spinach, salsify (oyster plant), carrots, egg plant, and orussels sprouts are very rarely seen. It is well worth while to use the school garden to familiarize the children with the culture and use of these and other good vegetables. There are several vegetables that, if planted in September, will mature before the end of the school year, and the children will get the full benefit of their labors. Lettuce, turnips, mustard, radishes, car- rots, peas and spinach will all be ready in the spring if given an early start. The child's pride in successful results and the experience gained from mistakes will be well worth the trouble and slight expense neces- sary. If land is available the expense can be reduced to the cost of the seed, a few simple tools, and some manure or fertilizers which the parents might be persuaded to contribute. Some of the children might obtain a great deal of pleasure from a cold frame constructed of bricks or planks and panes of glass. There are also hardy herbaceous perennials, flowers that are well worth a place in the school garden both for their beauty in the garden itself and for their value as cut flowers in the school room, which is too often devoid of anything decorative. Of the rather few that blossom before the end of the school year some of the best and easiest to grow are nasturtiums, candytuft, yarrow, violets, pansies, cornflowers and poppies. By planting bulbs in the fall the child can have a bright display of hyacinths, jonquils, narcissus, tulips, crocuses, and snowdrops. Plants like candytuft and pansies can be sown in boxes and kept in the school room until early spring. Violets, hepaticas, daisies and other familiar wild flowers may be dug up in the fall and will blossom in the spring. 22 Design and Improvement of School Grounds A child that has had the responsibility of a bed of flowers or vege- tables from germination to maturity, and produced results, has gained from his schooling something of which he himself can see the practical value. This will create or increase an interest in school work. HEDGES AND HEDGE PLANTS Fig. 7 Fig. 6 Hedges or closely planted borders may either be clipped to an ordered form or allowed to grow freely. As clipping is labor we should plan a free hedge when it would serve equally well for use or effect. For screening ugly houses or unpleasant views clusters or rows of untrimmed plants do quite as well as, or better than, trimmed hedges. If it is im- portant to have a boundary that will keep out animals or people, the growth can be made denser by severe clipping during the first few years, and thorny plants should be used as already mentioned. Most if not all the clipped privet hedges we see are not worth the labor they cost and are indeed far less beautiful as a rule than a hedge or boundary of some other sort that requires only a frac- tion of the care. For the front boundary along the sidewalk or road there is nothing so good as a low wall of rock or brick. Fig. 8 Behind this, if one wishes, may be planted a free hedge of Thunberg's spirea or Thunberg's barberry or a row of iris or yucca. If a wall cannot be afforded, it is along this front boundary that a low privet hedge is most in place. For boundaries between lots or to border paths it is much better to use spireas, Japan quinces, lilacs,- barberries, rugosa or spinossissima roses. They need very little trimming to be kept in nice shape. A shortening of unruly branches once a year is enough (for best time for this pruning see page 18). Box or arbor-vitae are FlG - 9 easily kept in formal shape with very little clipping. Yuccas or iris, which of course require no clipping, will also make a pretty division line or walk border. In the coastal region a beautiful Design and Improvement of School Grounds 23 hedge can. be made of wax myrtle or of yopon, the latter requiring clipping if a dense hedge is desired. In clipped hedges the shapes most used are shown in figures 7 to 10 from end view; square top and sides (fig. 7), symmetri- cally rounded (fig. 8), arched to a ridge (fig. 9), slant- ing top with flat sides (fig. 10). Probably the best form, considering looks, labor and upkeep and healthy growth of the plant, is the arched shape (fig. 9). Figures 6, 11 and 12 give side views of different forms : the simple level line of fig. 12, the square extension blocks at regular intervals of fig. 11, and the very effective insertions in the hedge of pyramidal conifers such as arbor-vitae at regular intervals (fig. 6). Rapid growing hedges like Amoor River privet (so-called, Ligustrum chinense,) must be clipped several times during the growing season if they are t'o be kept dense and neat. Fig. 10 Fig. 11 Fig. 12 Below are listed the best available hedge plants for our state : Japanese Barberry (Berberis Thunbergii) . The best shrub for a low, undipped hedge in the middle and western sections. Very healthy and hardy, it has the further advantage of small, dense foliage which turns to beautiful colors in the fall, and of bright red berries for winter color. The abundant prickles are very discouraging to unwelcome animal visitors. Box (Buxus sempervirens and the dwarf variety.) The box is too well known to need description. For permanence and dignity there is no ever- green shrub that can quite take its place and it is only to be feared that in this restless age it will too often be neglected for other quicker growing but inferior plants. ■ Trifoliate Orange (Citrus trifoliata). An excellent hedge plant for bound- aries, as its formidable thorns will turn both man and beast. It is decora- tive at all times of the year, bearing fragrant white flowers in spring, showy, yellow, inedible oranges in the fall, with its green stems conspicuous in the winter. It is about ten to fifteen feet high, if allowed to grow freely, but may be kept down and made denser by clipping. Japanese Quince (Pyrus japonica). Among the few good spiny hedge plants this stands among the very best. It is very strong and permanent, hard to penetrate, and if the best varieties are chosen it is one of the most brilliant of all shrubs when in flower. The kinds that flower before the 24 Design and Improvement of School Grounds leaves appear are much superior to the commoner kinds with flowers among the leaves. There are a good many varieties of the better sort varying from brilliant scarlet to white, but unfortunately they are rarely offered by Southern nurseries in a discriminating way. Japanese Euonymus (Euonymus japonica). This excellent old favorite is much used in the South for evergreen hedges and few things are hand- somer than a well-kept euonymus hedge. The reputation of the plant for freedom from disease has recently been rudely upset by the introduction of a most destructive scale insect which kills it in a few years when present. One of the saddest tragedies we have ever seen in gardening was the com- plete destruction of all the euonymus hedges in Chapel Hill within the last two years. Yopon (Ilex vomitoria). A small slender evergreen tree, native to our coast. Leaves small, berries red. Does well in cultivation, at least as far west as Chapel Hill, but is apt to be straggling in shape. As a hedge plant it is one of the best for the coastal plain, as clipping corrects its straggling habit and transforms it into a dense hedge. Carolina Laurel Cherry (Laurocerasus caroliniana). This is a small tree that is well known in the coastal plain as a fine evergreen for screening outbuildings or for a specimen on the lawn. It is too strong a grower to be kept back closely by clipping, but as a free hedge for boundaries or screens there is nothing quite so good and it has the further recommendation of being a native of our state. If planted in a row by a walk (about 3 ft. apart and 4 ft. from the walk) it can be clipped on the walk side until about 7 ft. high, then allowed to grow over the walk, resulting in a fine effect. The same treat- ment may be followed in the case of yopon. The abundant black and bitter little cherries that it bears are much liked by the cedar waxwings. Japanese Privet (Ligustrum Japonicum Nepalense). A dwarfish variety of the Japanese privet that is very good for a clipped hedge or an uncontrolled specimen. When undipped it has a pleasing irregularity and is fine for planting against the house foundations. Amoor River Privet (Ligustrum chinense). This is the most popular hedge plant in our state and where a formal hedge is needed it is good. When clipped it is entirely evergreen in Chapel Hill. The common name of the plant should be Chinese privet, the real Amoor River Privet being Lig- ustrum amurense, but the latter name has become so widespread that to change it here would cause confusion. Regel's PRrvET (Ligustrum Ibota Regelianum). Of all the deciduous privets this is the best as a decorative shrub. The spreading habit is much more pleasing than the stiff upright form of other sorts and its strong growth and compactness make it most desirable in mass planting. Quihoui PRrvET (Ligustrum Quihoui). An evergreen privet with small, narrow, dense leaves and tall habit that is one of the very best evergreens we can use for a screen or for mass planting. There is nothing better as a screen for small outhouses. Design and Improvement of School Grounds 25 Japanese Rose (Rosa rugosa). The peculiar foliage of the Japanese rose is particularly charming and its dense habit fits it for hedges. Among the best varieties are Blanc Double de Courbet, Conrad Ferdinand Meyer, Mme. Georges Bruant, Nova Zembla. Scotch Rose (Rosa spinosissima) . The remarkably dense habit and deli- cate leaves of this vigorous shrub make it one of the best spiny hedges. The small but very numerous white or pink flowers nearly cover the plant in April. It spreads by underground runners and has to be kept in check. It is excellent for bordering fences or planting along the corners of walks. McCartney Rose (Rosa bracteata). This is a very strong and vigorous rose with long arched, very prickly branches and large single white flowers. It is distinguished from the Cherokee, with which it is often confused, by the larger number of leaflets (5-7 instead of 3) and the large green bracts beneath the flower. As an untrimmed or sparingly clipped hedge it is very useful, and it is fine in a group on the lawn. Bridal Wreath (Spirea prunifolia and the var. flore pleno). This old favorite well deserves its great popularity. For fighting power under adverse conditions it is remarkable and as a hedge in shade and among tree roots has no equal. The flower buds are never killed by cold and never fail. The color of the leaves in fall is fine and the habit of suckering around the base makes it easy to increase and therefore obtainable from neighbors as a rule without cost. Thunrerg's Spirea (Spirea Thunbergii) . This species is coming into great favor as a hedge and border shrub and for planting against the house. Of small to medium size and very delicate, graceful, arching habit, it is always beautiful. The pure white, delicate flowers cover the branches in early spring and are wonderfully effective. In fall the leaves change to the most beautiful and varied tones of orange, bronze and red. For best effect this shrub should be clipped back every year or second year to give denser habit. Van Houtte's Spirea (Spirea Van Houttei). A beautiful strong plant that deserves to stand among the four or five best shrubs for general uses. It is arched and graceful in shape and is covered with masses of white flowers in early spring. 26 Design and Improvement of School Grounds ARBOR DAY The general conception of Arbor Day makes it a day for planting- trees ; this literal interpretation should give way to a much broader and more inclusive one. If the grounds are without trees plant some by all means, but if there are enough trees plant shrubs on Arbor Day, and if the grounds abound in shrubs then plant perennials like irises and peonies. If the goal toward which the planting plan has pointed has been reached and your trees, shrubs and vines and perennials have all been planted in their proper places, even then Arbor Day can and should be observed, for once a plant is in the ground one's duties toward it are not ended; it still needs care and food. Organize the school into squads, some to rake or mow the lawn, others to clip and prune, and others to give the plants the much needed fertilizers. In this way Arbor Day will pass leaving the grounds more beautiful, either as a result of a general clean up or increased planting, besides renewing interest and enthusiasm in the young people. NURSERIES The plants that are not native and therefore cannot be found in the woods and fields must be either secured by individual contributions or bought from a nursery. In buying from North Carolina nurseries one is more apt to get varieties adapted to the climate. Moreover, several important North Carolina nurseries have offered to sell to the schools at reduced rates. For names of nurseries write us. LANDSCAPE ARCHITECTS The South is rapidly growing in wealth and ambition and is now a promising field for the professional landscape architect. The disordered and adventitious growth of nearly all of our communities, rural or urban, with no realization of or provision for the most elementary social or civic needs of the people can be corrected only by a careful consideration of such needs and the adoption of a comprehensive plan for growth and alteration. To formulate such a plan it is imperative that an architect of ability and experience be employed. Such an architect is also needed in all important developments of institutions, parks, large school properties, private grounds, etc. We can furnish the names of competent landscape architects on inquiry. | * :§ H cr H o fed H 3 r/2 3 O IS,, CD H O- O 25 H 1 w H • id i-h ^: & 3 ■Q W*5 i> *C5 t* r W 1 ~ O 3 :i o t-i P ^ I 3 ft 3 o ff f ra' o o o S» w fr fed -- t" 1 WHAT TO PLANT IN EACH SECTION OF THE STATE We give below a short list of the plants we consider the most desirable and easily obtainable for each section of the state. The word native here means that they are native to that section of the state in which they are listed. Others, often equally as good, are given in the longer lists that follow. We have not added deciduous shrubs to the short special lists, because so many of them are good throughout nearly the whole state. The longer descriptive lists (p. 31) will give scientific names and will warn against those unfitted for certain sections. Eastern Section Broad-leaved Evergreen Trees Magnolia — Native Mock Orange — Native Live Oak — Native Japanese Oak Holly — Native Photinia American Olive — Native Coniferous Evergreens Long-leaf Pine — Native Incense Cedar Short-leaf Pine — Native American Arbor-vitae Loblolly Pine — Native Oriental Arbor-vitae Red Cedar — Native Cunninghamia lanceolata Norway Spruce Cryptomeria japonica Deodara Cedar Fortune's Yew For the warmer coastal strip the following might be added: Loquat Palmetto — Native Camphor Deciduous Trees Cypress — Native Willow Oak — Native Black Willow — Native Laurel Oak — Native Black Walnut — Native White Elm — Native White-heart Hickory Hackberry — Native and others — Native Sweet Bay — Native Red Birch — Native Tulip Tree — Native Beech — Native Sweet Gum — Native White Oak — Native Honey Locust — Native Scarlet Oak — Native Ash-leaved Maple — Native 28 Design and Improvement of School Grounds Deciduous Trees- Kentucky Coffee Tree Ginkgo White Willow Yellow Willow Weeping Willow Bay Willow Pecan Soulange's Magnolia -Continued Mimosa Crape Myrtle Japanese Cherry Redbud — Native Red Maple — Native Dogwood — Native Black Gum — Native White Ash — Native Evergreen Shrubs and Canes Dwarf Palmetto — Native Wax Myrtle — Native Yopon — Native Gallberry — Native Yuccas — Native Sweet Olive Holly-leaved Olive Banana Shrub Japanese Laurel Quihoui Privet Pittosporum Oleander Mahonia japonica Camellia japonica Gardenia Tea Viburnum tinus Rosemary Lavender Bamboos Middle Section Magnolia — Native Holly — Native Broad-leaved Evergreen Trees Photinia Loblolly Pine — Native Oldfield Pine — Native Jersey Pine — Native Red Cedar — Native Hemlock — Native Norway Spruce Colorado Spruce Oriental Spruce White Fir Douglas Fir Coniferous Evergreens Nordman's Fir American Arbor-vita? Oriental Arbor-vitse Chinese Juniper Cedrus atlantica Deodara Cedar Incense Cedar Cunninghamia lanceolata Cryptomeria japonica Japanese Yew Deciduous Trees Cypress — Native Black Willow — Native Large-leaved Poplar — Native White-heart Hickory and others — Native Black Walnut — Native Red Birch — Native Beech — Native White Oak — Native Red Oak — Native Design and Improvement of School Grounds 29 Deciduous Trees— Continued Scarlet Oak — Native "Willow Oak — Native Pin Oak — Native White Elm— Native Ash-leaved Maple — Native Ginkgo White Willow Yellow Willow Weeping Willow Bay Willow Soulange's Magnolia Buckeye — Native Linden — Native Dogwood — Native Black Gum — Native Sourwood — Native White Ash — Native Mimosa Crape Myrtle Kentucky Coffee Tree Black Locust Japanese Cherry Large-leaved Poplar Laurel Oak Hackberry — Native Tulip Tree — Native Sweet Gum — Native Honey Locust — Native Redbud — Native Red Maple — Native Sugar Maple — Native Rhododendrons Kalmias — Native Yuccas — Native Pittosporum — Native Mahonia japonica Quihoui Privet Yopon Evergreen Shrubs and Canes Native Japanese Holly Sweet Olive Holly-leaved Olive Rosemary Lavender Bamboos Western Section BroadAeaved Evergreen Trees Holly — Native Coniferous Trees White Pine — Native Short-leaf Pine — Native Mountain Pine — Native Jersey Pine — Native White Spruce — Native Black Spruce — Native Red Cedar — Native Hemlock — Native Carolina Hemlock — Native Fraser's Fir — Native Nordman's Fir Douglas Fir Norway Spruce Colorado Spruce Oriental Spruce American Arbor-vitae Oriental Arbor-vitae Chinese Juniper Incense Cedar Cunninghamia Japanese Yew 30 Design and Improvement of School Grounds Black Willow — Native Large-leaved Poplar — Native Black Walnut — Native White-heart Hickory and others — Native Red Birch — Native White Birch — Native Cherry Birch — Native Beech — Native White Oak— Native Red Oak — Native Tulip Tree — Native Sweet Gum — Native Redbud — Native Yellowwood — Native Black Locust — Native Deciduous Trees Sugar Maple — Native Red Maple — Native Buckeye — Native Linden — Native Dogwood — Native Sourwood — Native Silver Bell — Native White Ash — Native White Willow Yellow Willow Weeping Willow Bay Willow Kentucky Coffee Tree Crape Myrtle Japanese Cherry Evergreen Shrubs and Canes Rhododendrons — Native Japanese Holly Kalmias — Native Mahonia japonica Yuccas Rosemary Pittosporum Lavender Quihoui Privet Bamboos PLATE 8 SCENES IN THE UNIVERSITY ARBORETUM Chapel Hill, N. C. ORNAMENTAL TREES, SHRUBS, VINES, AND FLOWERS Broad-Leaved Evergreen Trees Live Oak (Quercus virginiana) . Its wide spreading crown, strong branches and small dense evergreen leaves make an old live oak one of the most picturesque objects in the southeastern states. It is native to our coast and often draped with grey moss. It does well at least as far west as Chapel Hill. Japanese Oak (Quercus acuta). For the coastal plain this recently avail- able small oak has proved of exceptional value. Its dense, shining leaves, rounded crown and healthy growth fit it to take the place here that the holly-leaved oak or "Ilex" of the Mediterranean region fills there. A long walk bordered with this oak would give distinction to any grounds. It is best not to prune this at all as it will make a good head anyway and we find that cut branches are apt to be infected and killed by a fungus (Endothia gyrosa), related to the chestnut blight. Loblolly Bay (Gordonia Lasianthus). A medium-sized evergreen with a narrow compact head and conspicuous white flowers, found along edges of bays and in parts of the coastal plain. A very beautiful tree, but it does well in cultivation only when its natural habitat is duplicated. Red Bay (Persea pubescens) . A small tree of the eastern swamps with long, shiny green leaves and small creamy flowers. It is well adapted for damp, sandy soil in the eastern part of the State. Dahoon Holly (Ilex Gassine). A small slender evergreen tree, native of swamp margins near the coast with thick leaves and persistent red berries. Quite ornamental and worthy of cultivation in the coastal region. Mock Orange or Carolina Laurel Cherry. See hedge plants (p. 22.) Yopon. See hedge plants (p. 22.) American Holly (Ilex opaca). A well known tree with thick spiny evergreen leaves and red berries. Once common throughout the State, but now becoming much scarcer through the destructive work of Christmas berry hunters. Even in home grounds it is often raided by vandals. It is espe- cially suited to damp, sandy soil. Magnolia (Magnolia grandiflora) . A magnificent evergreen with large, shiny, deep green leaves and large fragrant white flowers which open in June. Devilwood, Wild Olive (OsmantJius americanus). A small evergreen tree of the coastal region. Fruit resembles a small olive. Flowers small but abundant and fragrant. A very attractive tree in cultivation. Loquat, Japan Plum (Eriobotrya japonica). A small tree with thick, .glossy green leaves that are rusty beneath ; the large fragrant flowers in rusty woolly clusters appearing from summer till winter. The fruit, which is 32 Design and Improvement of School Grounds good to eat, rarely matures in this state. A very desirable ornament for the coastal region, but not fully hardy at Fayetteville. It is fine as a single specimen on the lawn. Photinia (Photinia serrulata). A beautiful evergreen tree with a rounded head, dense, deep green shining leaves that turn red a few at a time before they fall. The flowers are small, whitish and borne in large, flat clusters at the tips of the branches. In winter the large buds are red and conspicuous in contrast with the green. Palmetto (Sabal palmetto). This striking subtropical tree is native to Smith Island in the extreme southeastern corner of the state and is hardy along a coastal strip including Wilmington and all of New Hanover and Brunswick. Within this area it should be used abundantly. Coniferous Trees (Most are Evergreen) Balsam, Feaser's Fir (Abies Fraseri). A charming tree with fragrant leaves and upright cones. Native to the mountains and not successful in any other section of the state. White Fir (Abies concolor). A western species with light green leaves which withstand heat and drought best of all the firs. A hardy and rapid grower and one of the most useful firs throughout the state. Nordman's Fir (Abies Nordmanniana) . Leaves dark green above, silvery white below; very hardy and desirable in all the sections; of slow growth, but long lived, dense and beautiful. Cedrus atlantica. Large pyramidal cedar with glaucous green leaves. The branches are wide and spreading which gives it a very distinct appear- ance. Prefers well drained, loamy soil, and is good in all sections. Deodara Cedar (Cedrus deodara). A rapid grower and one of the best evergreens for the coastal plain; leaves bluish green. Will succeed in all sections. Cryptomeria japonica elegans. A small, dense, pyramidal tree of rapid growth with horizontal branches and drooping branchlets, the bright green leaves changing to bronze in fall and winter. Best in the middle and eastern sections. Cunninghamia lanceolata. A tree with lance-like leaves on horizontal branches; a rapid and symmetrical grower attaining a good height, but the lower branches are not very persistent, which is a defect in a lawn conifer. Chinese Juniper (Juniperus chinensis). A pyramidal tree of grey green color and strong healthy growth that is not particular as to soil; one of the best dense conifers. The variety procumbens is a prostrate spreading form of this and according to our experience is the very best and healthiest conifer of this habit. It is very fine among or near rocks or margins of fountains. Red Cedar (Juniperus virginiana) . A common native tree found in the woods throughout most of the state and transplanted without much difficulty. It is very variable in color, form and density. A deep green, dense tree full Design and Impbovement of School Gbounds 33 of berries is a fine sight, but a straggling, yellowish, pollinate one may he anything hut handsome. It should not he placed near apple trees as the orange balls produced in spring are a fungus disease which spreads to the apple trees. Incense Cedar (Libocedrus decurrens). Tall, stately, of upright growth with beautiful dark green foliage. Very ornamental and one of the best conifers for the middle and eastern sections. White Spruce (Picea canadensis). Foliage light bluish green, cones brown and glossy. In the mountains this does well and is of great beauty but it will not flourish elsewhere in the state. Black Spruce (Picea mariana). A fine large tree native to the mountains with slender, often pendulous branches. It does not do well east of the foothills. Norway Spruce (Picea excelsa). A tall, picturesque, spreading tree with drooping branches; hardy, graceful and of rapid growth. Makes a good windbreak and is far more adaptable and vigorous than our native spruces, succeeding even in the coastal plain. Oriental Spruce (Picea orientalis) . A very hardy and ornamental middle- sized spruce with dark, dense foliage. It will succeed at least as far east as Chapel Hill. Bhotan Pine (Pinus excelsa). Forms a large irregular pyramid with bluish green leaves. The color is about that of the white pine and it is not subject to attack of the scale insects that infest and often ruin the latter. Succeeds in all sections. Long-leaf Pine (Pinus palustris). A picturesque and decorative pine particularly valuable for the eastern part of the state where it is native and can therefore be procured without any expense. For transplanting see p. 14. Mountain Pine, Pitch Pine (Pinus rigida). This is the common pine of our mountains and should be used for that section. Lorlolly Pine (Pinus Taeda). An attractive pine with long leaves, native in the eastern and middle sections of the state. A row of loblolly pines and native cedar makes an inexpensive screen to hide objectionable views. Jersey Pine (Pinus virginiana). A native of the western and middle part of the state. It can be used with the loblolly pine to give variety. Retinospora plumosa squarrosa. An interesting plant of small size and curious blue green, feathery looking foliage. "Very effective in contrast to other forms. Japanese Umhrella Pine (Sciadopitys verticellata). Of tall pyramidal habit with deep green needles in whorls. In age the branches become spread- ing or pendulous. Interesting for contrast and seems to do well in all sections. Bald or Deciduous Cypress (Taxodium distichum). A tall, deciduous conifer of the coastal plain swamps with feathery foliage of great beauty. It sends up large knees around the trunk. This tree is particularly valuable for wet or moist land, hut will do very well in rich, porous uplands. 3 34 Design and Improvement of School Grounds English Yew (Taxus baccata). A small tree forming a low broad head with dark green leaves. If the conditions are just right it does well, but as a rule is short lived in our state. Japanese Yew (Taxus cuspidata) . This is better adapted to our conditions than the above and is a very fine small tree or shrub for lawns or borders. The variety nana is a good dwarf form of this. Fortune's Yew (Cephalotaxus Fortunei). A small, sturdy, spreading bush or tree that is good against the house or in angles of walks. It is odd in having a plum-like fruit. Canadian Hemlock (Tsuga canadensis). A very fine and graceful tree, native to our mountains, and one of the five or six best conifers for general use. It also makes a good trimmed hedge. Carolina Hemlock (Tsuga caroliniana) . Smaller than the Canada hemlock and more rigid in outline. While beautiful and interesting it is of much slower growth than the preceding and far less reliable out of the mountain section. Should be used freely from the center westward. American Arbor-vit^e (Thuja occidentalism. A small tree of a narrow, pyramidal, rather compact form; useful for formal planting for gardens or for path borders; succeeds in all sections. There are a number of varieties for special uses. Some of the best are: var, pyramidalis, very narrow and formal; var. globosa, small and compact; and var. filicoides, broadly pyra- midal with crested, fern-like foliage. Oriental Arbob-vittE (Thuja orientalis). Much like the above and suc- ceeds in all sections. Among the many varieties several of importance are var. compacta, small, dense and bright green; var. aurea nana (Berckman's Golden Arbor-vit.e ) , a dwarf golden compact form; var. pyramidalis, very narrow, tall and formal; var. Hoveyei, a dwarf form, dense, ovate to globose, with bright green foliage. Deciduous Trees Red Maple (Acer rubrum). Good for moist places and any good soil; sur- passes all other maples in beauty of flower and fruit and fall coloration. Middle and eastern. Sugar Maple (Acer saccharum). The longest lived of all our maples and the most desirable in cultivation; prefers rich uplands and cool mountain slopes. The tall and rather columnar form make it useful as an accent among lower and more spreading kinds. In Chapel Hill it is one of the healthiest trees we have and the autumn coloring is magnificent. As a street tree in the middle and western sections of our state it has few equals. Native. English Field Maple (Acer campestre). Small, dense, dark, symmetrical, campact; makes a pleasing contrast behind sweet breath of spring, Van Houtte's spirea, forsythia, etc. As a specimen tree for the lawn it has every- thing to recommend it except the inconspicuous flowers. Middle and western. Ash-leaved Maple, Box Elder (Acer negundo). A small tree of wide spreading, rapid growth. Valuable for quick shade. Throughout the State. Design and Improvement or School Grounds 35 Norway Maple (Acer platanoides) . A good street and lawn tree; leaves golden yellow in the fall. Throughout the State. European Horse Chestnut (Aesculus Mppocastanunt) . Symmetrical, dense; flowers white, showy. Excellent for lawns in the eastern and middle sections. The var. flore pleno has double flowers which hold longer before fading. Our mountain species, Aesculus octandra, is also fine and should be used in the western section. Aesculus rubicunda, of garden origin and about the same habits, is popular. Mimosa Tree (Albizzia julibrissin) . Beautiful both for its graceful feathery foliage and its numerous delicate fragrant flowers; forms a low flat topped crown and in all gives a decidedly subtropical effect. Valuable for the eastern and middle sections. Chinese Angelica Tree (Aralia chinensis). A small tree with huge leaves and flower heads borne on the ends of slender stems. Does well in all sections. European White Birch (Betula alba). Delicate, graceful, with white bark and spreading, pendulous branches. Except in the mountains it should be planted only in moist places, and even then its life is precarious. Excellent for planting among evergreens. The cut-leaved variety, laciniata gracilis pendula, is of even more delicate beauty. Cherry Birch (Betula lenta). A good round-headed tree for the moun- tains. Native. Red or River Kirch (Betula nigra). A moisture-loving, tall, graceful tree; good for swampy land or along streams at any place in the state. Native. Western Catalpa (Gatalpa speciosa). While not of the first class for beauty this is useful for filling in bare places and borders. The trunks make most desirable posts and after ten or fifteen years superfluous trees may be used for this purpose. Nettle Tree or .Sugarberry (Celtis occidentalis) . A good tree that does well all over the state in almost any soil. Native. Redbud or Judas Tree (Cercis canadensis). One of the most beautiful of our native flowering trees; covered with clusters of purple flowers in early spring before the leaves come out. Black Walnut (Juglans nigra). A handsome well known native tree that does well throughout the state. White-heart Hickory (Hicoria alia). A tall short-limbed tree with large leaves that turn a beautiful yellow in the fall. Common throughout the state and one of the best trees for school grounds. The pig-nut, shell-bark and other hickories are also good. Pecan (Hicoria pecan). This fine healthy nut and shade tree should be much more often planted. It prefers the deep loamy soil of river bottoms in the coastal plain, but will grow well in uplands throughout the middle sections. 36 Design and Improvement of School Grounds Yellow-wood (Gladastris lutea). A very handsome tree in cultivation forming a symmetrical rounded head. The flowers are white, fragrant, droop- ing and much like wisteria. Native to the mountains and not of much value except in or near them. White Ash (Fraxinus americana) . Very tall and healthy and popular as a lawn or street tree. The green ash is also good. Beech (Fagus grandifolia). A handsome native tree with smooth, grey hark found along hrooks throughout most of the state. "Where a dense shade is not objectionable or along smaller boundaries or as a single speci- men on the lawn there are few trees more beautiful or permanent. European Beech (Fagus sylvatica) . This is very like our own beech and can be used in similar ways. Its variety asplenifolia or cut-leaved beech is dense, low and unsurpassed in beauty of form and foliage. The variety purpurea differs from the species in its dark purple leaves and is the best tree of this striking color. Kentucky Coffee Tree (Gymnocladus dioica). A desirable shade tree, free from disease and graceful in appearance; leaves very large and com- pound. May be planted in any fair soil and is good for city streets. Honey Locust (Gleditsia triacanthos) . A well known thorny tree with spreading branches and an open feathery foliage that casts a light shade. Maidenhair Tree (Ginkgo biloba). A tall hardy tree with horizontal branches, native of China. Very unusual and picturesque and should be planted for its great botanical interest as it is unlike any other living tree. Silver Bell, Snowdrop Tree (Halesia tetraptera). A small native tree that is covered with very lovely white flowers borne in the middle of May before the leaves. It does not thrive well except in or near the mountains and prefers deep, rich soil in somewhat sheltered places. Crape Myrtle (Lagerstroemia indica). The magnificent flowers and fine autumn colors make this one of the most desirable of small trees. There are at least five varieties of flower colors, deep pink or water melon color, lighter pink, pinkish purple, darker purplish (magenta) and white. Of these the ones without purplish tint are most beautiful. In planting one should try to plant shoots from a tree that is known to be of good color. Shoots from the roots can usually be found and can be made to form more abun- dantly by cutting some of the roots with a spade at some distance from the tree. Sweet Gum (Liquidambar styraciflua). Tall, very healthy and with a fine fall color. Adapted to poorly drained soil where most trees fail. Native. Tulip Tree or Poplar (Liriodendron tulipifera). Very large and beautiful and a rapid grower; valuable for its foliage and tulip shaped flowers. Soulange's Magnolia (Magnolia Soulangeana) . A beautiful small oriental tree with large very abundant purple and white flowers appearing before the leaves in early spring. Will stand damp soil and is a great favorite. Sweet Bay (Magnolia virginiana). A small tree of the coastal plain found in swamps or moist places, therefore valuable for wet ground in decorative PLATE 10 OLD MAGNOLIA WITH SPANISH MOSS This venerable tree stands in the old neglected garden of Andre Michanx, established near Charleston, S. C, in 1787. From this garden Michanx intro- duced into France many of the finest trees and shrubs of the United States. See Journal E. Mitchell Sci. Soc, Vol. 27, Plate 10, July, 1911. Design and Improvement of School Grounds 37 planting. Flowers white and very fragrant. This should be used much more as it is very satisfactory in cultivation. Black Gum (Nyssa sylvatica). A native tree adaptable to any soil and especially useful for wet places; the autumn color is brilliant. Sourwood (Oxydendron aboreum). A small tree turning a vivid red in the fall; the flowers recalling lily of tfie valley, appearing in late spring or summer. The tree is not adapted to open situations and it prefers wood conditions with a mulch of rotting leaves in cool soil; it appears to best advantage in front of evergreens. Carolina Poplar (Populus caroliniensis) . A straight rapid growing tree making an upright head. For quick shade and effect this is much used and is desirable. As a permanent tree it is inferior on account of its short life and lack of character. The very early fall of the leaves is another defect. The Volga Poplar sold by a few nurseries is much like it and is said to hold its leaves much longer. Lombardy Poplar (Populus nigra-italica) . A strikingly picturesque tree of tall, narrow habit, very rapid growth and very useful for breaking monot- onous lines and for softening the corners of tall buildings. It is not very long-lived in America and rarely lasts in good condition for more than thirty or forty years. Japanese Cherry (Prunus Sieboldi). The Japanese flowering cherry is famous for its beauty in Japan and is now being much used in this country. For early spring display they are very fine and are worth trying. Among the most beautiful varieties are alia flora plena, Shirofugen, HizaJcura, Mouut Fuji, OJcu-myako. White Oak (Quercus alia). This grand native tree is considered by many to be the most majestic of all oaks. In Chapel Hill we have nothing to equal it and anyone who has seen a full grown, massive white oak in all its strength and dignity will know what a tree can stand for in the life of a people. It is folly to plant greatly inferior things to the exclusion of this oak just because they are supposed to grow faster. A single fine white oak is worth more as an inspiration than a whole forest of poplars, china-berries or paulonias. Scarlet Oak (Quercus coccinea). This fine native oak is of good form and very fine foliage which turns brilliant scarlet in fall. It is not among the very long-lived species, but is good for variety and fall color and especially useful in rather poor, rocky uplands. Pin Oak (Quercus palustris). A tall, symmetrical, pyramidal tree retain- ing its lower branches to the ground, a habit which makes it unique and especially desirable as a lawn specimen. It has also been proved to be very good for a street tree. Until recently this tree has not been known to be native to North Carolina, but it has now been found to be not rare in the swamps near Chapel Hill. Willow Oak (Quercus Phellos). A large tree with leaves resembling those of a willow. Easily obtainable in the woods and one of the three or four 38 Design and Improvement of School Grounds most ornamental and satisfactory of our oaks. It is especially suited to low, moist places, but does well in any good soil. Laurel Oak, Darlington Oak (Quercus laurifolia). In many respects this is one of the very finest oaks in America. Our photograph (PI. 4) shows the fine symmetry and form of the young tree which is retained for many years, indeed for life if not crowded. In the Pee Dee section of South Caro- lina and in parts of eastern North Carolina it is much used for streets and lawns and is partly evergreen. Red Oak (Quercus rubra). A large, majestic oak which for richness of foliage is scarcely equalled by any other. It is native to the middle and western districts and is occasionally found on the coastal plain. Black Locust (Robinia Pseudo-acacia) . A rather small tree with beautiful fragrant racemes of white flowers which greatly resemble those of wisteria. It is native to our mountains and is especially good in borders here and there on account of its sweet flowers. White Willow (Salix alba). A strong tree with silvery grey leaves. One of the best of the willows and fine in damp places and in contrast with black and yellow willows. Weeping Willow (Salix babylonica). This well known tree is very pic- turesque and effective and is particularly good along the edges of ponds. Black Willow (Salix nigra). A very good tree to use in moist or swampy places as it can be found along streams throughout the state. The deli- cate light green foliage makes a fine contrast with other trees. Bay or Laurel-leaved Willow (Salix pentandra) . A small tree or shrub with large, dark green, shining leaves. Very decorative for planting in front of large willows with different colored foliage. Yellow Willow (Salix mtellina). A fine tree for wet places. Bark a conspicuous yellow in winter and very attractive if contrasted with ever- greens or red and white barked trees. Lime, Linden, Basswood (Tilia americana). A very handsome, healthy tree with large shining leaves and fragrant creamy white flowers which are very much sought by bees; a rapid grower and best adapted to the moun- tain and Piedmont sections. White or Silver Linden (Tilia tomentosa) . Leaves dark green above and silver white beneath, forming a striking contrast. A very beautiful native tree for lawns in the middle and western sections. White Elm (Ulmus americana). Its plume-like form, hardiness and longevity make this one of the most popular shade and lawn trees, and in the south it has so far been nearly free from the destructive elm-leaf beetle. It should not be planted near sewers as its roots often fill them up. Flowering Dogwood (Cornus florida). This beautiful tree well known to us all should be used abundantly in front of evergreens and at the back of borders. It prefers a moist soil and some shade. Design and Improvement of School Grounds 39 Evergreen Shrubs and Canes (See also Hedge Plants) Rhododendrons. We have in our state five species of Rhododendron, R. maximum, R. catawbiense, R. carolinianum, R. minus, and R. punctatum. Of these the first two are the largest and most commonly cultivated. The second is one of the parents of many fine hybrids that are unsurpassed among evergreen shrubs. A few of the best of these hybrid varieties are album elegans (light blush changing to white, very large), Boule de Neige (white, early, small), E. 8. Rand (rich scarlet, medium), EveresUanum (delicate rosy lilac, spotted with yellow, small), Kettledrum (rich crimson suffused with purple, large). Kalmia, Mountain Laurel (Kalmia latifolia). This fine shrub succeeds very easily in the mountains in almost any soil except lime where the ground is not too wet, and it is also adapted to cultivation in other parts of the state if its needs are intelligently met (see p. 14). Japanese Laurel (Aucuba japonica). A slow growing shrub with glossy leaves and handsome red berries on the pistillate plants. It endures smoke and dust and is valuable in large cities where few things do well. It is good in evergreen beds either alone or in front of taller sorts. Like the holly the plant is of two sexes and only the female bears berries. A variety of this is the Gold Dust Tree (var. aurea maculata) of more rapid growth and the leaves spotted with yellow. Middle and eastern sections. Japanese Pittosporum (Pittosporum Tobira). A winter flowering shrub with very dense, dark green leaves ; flowers pure white and fragrant. A very handsome evergreen of great permanence and value in the middle and eastern sections. Oleander (Nerium oleander). An old-fashioned shrub with single or double flowers in various colors. Easy to grow and withstands the dust and smoke of cities well, but only half hardy away from the coast. Wax Myrtle (Myrica cerifera). A shrub with narrow fragrant leaves and with wax-coated, bluish white berries; native to the coastal plain. This should be much used for hedges and boundaries in low sandy places in the eastern section. Mahonia japonica. From 2 to 4 feet high, the large, compound leaves with spiny teeth and the yellow flowers appearing in late winter or early spring. Thrives best in a partly shaded position. Camellia japonica. One of the most beautiful evergreen shrubs with dense, deep green shining leaves, large waxy flowers in a great variety of colors. It blooms in early spring or late winter and is for that reason of great value and interest. It is almost or quite hardy along the coastal strip if put in a somewhat protected position. Tea Plant (Camellia TTiea). A deep green, globose shrub with elon- gated leaves and white flowers that bloom in winter. It is hardy along the coast and as far inland as Fayetteville and should be planted for its great interest as the producer of a popular drink. 40 Design and Improvement of School Grounds Gardenia or Cape Jessamine (Gardenia fiorida). One of the best known evergreen exotics of the south and associated like the camellia and sweet olive with old Southern gardens. The leaves are shiny and the flowers waxy white. It is hardy through most of the coastal plain, and if put in a pro- tected position may be kept living indefinitely at Chapel Hill, though often cut back by severe frosts. Laurestinus (Viburnum tinus). An upright shrub of dense compact form and with abundant umbels of whitish flowers in winter. The flower buds are red and have color a long time before they blossom. Hardy at least as far inland as Raleigh. The nurseries recommend three other evergreen varieties which we have not seen in cultivation. They are Viburnum odora- tissimum, V. suspensum (V. sandakma) and V. rhytidophyllum. Rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis). An herbaceous evergreen shrub with aromatic, dark green, linear leaves and light blue flowers. Very good for foundation planting. Lavender (Lavendula vera). An evergreen herbaceous shrub with fragrant whitish leaves and blue flowers. "Very pretty for foundation plant- ing, especially if alternated with the contrasting dark green of rosemary. Dwarf Palmetto (Sabal glabra). This little palmetto with creeping stems extends along our coast and can be used to fine effect in the coastal strip. For the tree palmetto see under trees, p. 32. Yuccas. We have at least four native species, all of which are good. Yucca aloifolia is the tallest and is well placed at the corners of buildings behind smaller species; Yucca gloriosa is good for clumps in angles of paths. In Yucca filamentosa and its variety concava the leaves rise only a foot or so above the ground but the tall scape of white flowers is very conspicuous and attractive in masses. Canes or Bamboos. A number of oriental bamboos make very hardy and excellent screens and windbreaks, although there is some objection to them as they spread by underground runners. Among the most valuable are Palmate-leaved Bamboo (Bambusa palmata), Tall Chinese Bamboo (Arundi- naria Simoni), Japanese Cane (Arundinaria japonica). Of these the Jap- anese Cane is the highest and the Palmate-leaved Bamboo the lowest. Deciduous Shrubs (See also Hedge Plants) Five-leaved Angelica (Acanthopanax pentaphyllum) . Large, 5 to 10 ft., •useful for its foliage which is bright green and shining. Graceful and com- pact in outline and very permanent. If the tips of the arching branches touch the ground they easily take root and form new plants. Rose of Sharon (Althea frutex, Hibiscus syriacus). A tall open shrub 'that is very valuable, as the flowers appear late in summer and early fall when few other shrubs are in blossom. It should be used behind lower and more compact shrubs. Among the best varieties are: ardens, bicolor, ••carneo-plenus, Jean d'Arc. Design and Improvement of School Grounds 41 Groundsel Tree (Baccharis halimifolia) . An abundant shrub in damp places near the coast. The dark green and lustrous leaves and the fluffy white fruiting heads make it very good for damn places. Hardy throughout the state in cultivation and nearly evergreen on the coast. Spicewood (Benzoin aestivale). Native to the state. A good shrub for damp places. The small greenish flowers, while not conspicuous, appear early in spring before the leaves and are pretty and fragrant. The leaves and branches also have a spicy fragrance. European Barberry (Berberis vulgaris). A sturdy shrub with yellow flowers in hanging clusters, scarlet berries and light green leaves. Does well in the middle and western sections. The variety purpurea is a good purple-leaved variety of this. Summer Lilac (Buddleia Daviddi Yeitchiana) . An open shrub with long, simple, arching shoots which bear large heads of fragrant pale violet flowers from June to frost. As few shrubs flower during the summer and fall this handsome one is of distinct value. Slender Deutzia (Deutzia gracilis). A small shrub about 2 ft. high with graceful, arching branches and nodding racemes of pure white flowers in early spring. Very pretty and valuable for foundation planting. Deutzia (Deutzia scabra). A strong and permanent shrub with whitish flowers in abundance. Blooms just after spireas and can be planted with them to good effect. A double variety of this with pink flowers is plena rosea and a double white is plena alba. Hybrid Golden Bell (Forsythia intermedia). A tall shrub, with slender, arching branches, flowers golden yellow, produced in great profusion, blooms in March. This and the other forsythias are among the most dependable and satisfactory early spring bloomers and should be extensively used. Other species are Fortunei with more upright growth and suspensa with slender, drooping branches. Silverthorn (Elwagnus longipes). A very permanent and hardy shrub of good rounded form with dense leaves silvery beneath, and with red berries that make a good jelly. Winged Burning Bush (Euonymus alatus). A dense spreading shrub with corky-winged branches. Flowers yellowish, fruit purplish; leaves turning to gorgeous shades of red and crimson in the fall. Fearl Bush (Exochorda grandifiora). A tall hardy shrub with dazzling white blossoms. As it is apt to become bare below, it is best to mass it with or place it behind other shrubs. Panicled Hydrangea (Hydrangea paniculata). A very hardy tall shrub with white flowers borne in panicles; very good for massing. It will not succeed in dry or poor places and in the coastal plain should be planted only where rich, damp ground is available. A garden form of this, var. grandifiora, has extremely large and showy flowers and is very popular. In the mountains both will succeed in any rich soil. 42 Design and Improvement of School Grounds Sweet Shrub, Sweet Betsie {CalycantMis floridus). An upright shrub with dark foliage and very fragrant, dark brown flowers, which are loved by- children. Native in the mountain and middle sections. It is easily increased by shoots from the base. Desert Willow (Chilopsis linearis). A tall open growing shrub with linear leaves and yellow-striped lilac flowers. Blooms continually from April until frost. The plant has an exotic look and is good for contrast and interest. Fringe Tree (Chionanthus virginiana). A shrub or low tree with dark green leaves and feathery, graceful, very fragrant flowers in long clusters. Native to the state and a member of the olive family as one might easily guess from the small olive-like blue fruits. One of the best tall ornamentals for the back of borders. Azaleas. Our state is rich in species of azaleas and some are found in all sections. If given proper conditions they will be a brilliant addition to any place (see p. 14 for directions). In the mountains the great flame azalea {Azalea calenclulacea) and the tall white azalea (A. arborea) are the best to use. In other parts of the state the last mentioned, together with A. viscosa and A. nudifiora, are successful. In the damp, sandy flats of the coastal region A. atlantica will do well. Among exotic species A. amoena and A. Hinodegiri, which are evergreen, are most adaptable and thrifty. Sweet Pepperbush (Clethra acuminata). A small shrub of marshy soil with alder-like leaves and showy white flowers of an intense, spicy fragrance; especially useful in wet places. Red-osier Dogwood (Cornus stolonifera) . A shrub with dark red branches and creamy white flowers. The red shoots are extremely showy in winter, but from our experience it is not very permanent in this state. Winter Flowering Jessamine (Jasminum nudiflorum). A small shrub with slender, arched, green branches and yellow flowers which bloom in win- ter and early spring. This is about the best plant for the front of a shrub border as it forms a dense pillow from the very ground and fits in perfectly to meet higher shrubs. Globe Flower, Guelder Rose {Kerria japonica). A shrub 4 to 6 ft. tall, with numerous, bright yellow, large and showy flowers and green stems. One of the most beautiful shrubs and extremely valuable when not attacked by a fungus, which in Chapel Hill has killed out almost every single speci- men in recent years. The guelder rose is a variety of this with double flowers. Shrubby Bush Clover (Lespedeza bicolor). A shrubby herb 3 to 5 ft. tall, with dark green leaves and showy purple flowers. The branches die to the ground every year, but quickly come again in spring and curve over in a graceful way to meet the ground. Sweet Breath of Spring (Lonicera fragrantissima) . One of the most charming of the early flowering shrubs, with a delightful fragrance notice- I H M H g 2 E^ s^ H CD th M 5 3 £j o_ "C 2S p e O W z w =~ Eo' 23 c — 2 B-* CD jg td ^ 5' CD c ;> =H ^o C a ^§ £3 o o o c e? p &. o c « hH b Pn CD - t*J & M>Q ©8 &K :H- 12 1 *<&!)i\<£$\ g©» -^^^ *>*('&? @,lb ^^i^^> < LIBRARY OF CONGRESS 030 218 029 5