The Golden State: Where & How to Live, Secure, Visit, Enjoy and Thrive in California

Shrubs And Trees

Totals. The debits in the preceding column have been deducted from the total scores, which are net totals.

In as much as the totals contain an element of personal appraisal of observed facts, it may be emphasized that no absolute precision is claimed for them. One had better take them as approximations. As has been pointed out, not all the high scores indicate materials desirable for our purpose. Better consult the Review.

For instance, on the basis of intrinsic qualities, the Amur Maple (Acer Ginnala) earns the relatively high score of 61 points. Yet, it does not come out so well in the Review.

The average total score in the list is 53.41. With that in mind we may, in most cases, get a quick idea of the relative value of the materials. We may see at once that for instance the Mock-Oranges, the Deutzias, many of the Lilacs and other shrubs which have little to offer besides flower, do not rate very highly. It is the lack of diversified values which keeps down the scores also of the Oriental Cherries (see under Prunus).

Only few of the materials in the Chart earn a total of 70 points or more. Among the scores above 65, upheld by the Review, we note the following:

Abelia grandiflora Euonymus alatus compactus Berberis dictyophylla Oxydendrum arboretum koreana Rosa Hugonis Thunbergii Spiraea Vanhouttei Cornus florida and its varieties Synnga pcrsica Crataegus Phamopyrum Viburnum tomentosum

If we add to these but a few of those shrubs which rate between 60 and 65, like Lonicera Morrotvii, Euonymus kiautschovica, Viburnum Carlesii, Symphoricarpos Chenaultii, we find ourselves at once with some of the very best "makings," safe enough for the novice and a good enough foundation for whatever selections the advanced gardener may wish to add.

Apart from the total scores, a glance up and down the several columns should reveal quickly the chief contributions of the various materials to the landscape picture, as well as their comparative adaptabilities and transplantability. It will show quickly which of the Snowballs (Viburnums) stand out for fragrance, which of the several Cotoneasters have appreciable floral value, and it will show the novice that, with two or three exceptions, the Spiraeas furnish no autumn color. It matters not so much whether in any given case a value is expressed by a score of 6 or of 7 points. What matters mostly is that differences have been indicated, approximately correct. What matters is that you see at once that the Washington Thorn (Crataegus Phaenopyrum) is the best of the Hawthorns for fruit.