White Wood.—A name given to trees of various genera. See [Basswood], [Poplar].
Willow.—Willows may be used in decorative planting to a considerable extent, especially along banks to keep them from washing and other low places. The black willow (Salix nigra) grows into an interesting tree with a rough trunk and long pendulous limbs and narrow lance-shaped leaves. It resembles in general appearance the pepper trees of California. It should be used more as a road tree across low bottoms. It grows only 40 to 50 feet high, but its spread is fully as much, giving it a rounded, ball-shaped top. Salix regatis, S. alba, S. vitillina aurea, and S. laurifolia are all recommended for decorative effects.
Yucca.—Many of the yuccas are merely herbaceous plants with beautiful flowers, but the Joshua tree (Yucca arborescens) grows to be 25 to 40 feet in height, and two feet in diameter; it is so very ungainly that it is picturesque.
Shrubs.
—Any nursery catalogue will give a wilderness of shrubs from which a good selection may be made. But the discerning road gardener will take advantage of the native plants and not only preserve them but so arrange them along the roadside as to give unity and variety to a complete stretch of road. We notice the large trees because their size thrust them upon us, but we are likely to overlook the smaller plants or think of them simply as weeds to be got rid of. The native wild plants are all too fast disappearing. Practically the only places where they may now be found are along the highways and the railways, and in the farther forests where the cattle have not yet trampled them out. The road man who has a love for nature in his heart will take interest in preserving for future generations, that they may know what this land looked like before the hand of man changed it for better or for worse, these narrow strips of natural loveliness. Then let the graceful wild flowers and the sturdy shrubs be a connecting link between the sordid interests of man, symbolized by the hard, hard pavement and the boundless breadth of God’s goodness exemplified by the abundance in the vast outspread of fertile fields and the deep and reverent dignity of the mighty forest.
If nature’s wild flowers and shrubs are selected there will be no need of artificial fences and pergolas for support or straw and hay covering in the winter thus losing to the passerby at least one-half the pleasure that Nature herself can furnish. Nature is liberal and will furnish artistic pleasure the year around if given a reasonable opportunity to do so.
Alder.—The green or mountain alder (Alnus virdis), 3 to 8 feet tall. Also A. incana, a little larger—8 to 20 feet. Adapted to damp soils.
Barberry.—Plant only the Japanese barberry (Berberis thunbergii) as the common variety has been convicted of carrying the spores of wheat rust. The barberry has slender graceful branches with fine bright green foliage. Small yellow flowers in June with berries turning scarlet and remaining on bushes all winter. Colors up nicely after frost. Three to 5 feet high.
Button Bush, Cephalanthus occidentalis.—Hardy native shrub, 4 to 8 feet high. Globular heads of white flowers in the spring. Foliage good.
Bush Honeysuckle, Lonicera tartarica.—Four to 10 feet. Upright somewhat spreading branches; bright green foliage. Flowers freely in May and June. A good background for smaller shrubs.