The Golden State: Where & How to Live, Secure, Visit, Enjoy and Thrive in California
Shrubs And Trees
Score-Chart
INTRODUCTION TO THE SCORE-CHART
The Chart on pp. 25 to 42 shows in compact form a comparative evaluation of some 360 kinds of deciduous shrubs, on the basis of a point-system. While the results reflect in most cases pretty well the comparative usefulness of the materials for our purpose, it remains for the Descriptive Review to apply more critically to these appraisals of intrinsic qualities the viewpoint of their serviceability in the small home landscape, and to qualify, from that viewpoint, occasional high or low scores earned in the Chart.
The reader is cautioned, then, not to be guided by the Chart alone, but to use it, rather, in consultation with the Review of the materials, looking upon the Chart simply as a part of the labor of evaluation contained in this volume.
The novice may conclude at a glance that this business of evaluating shrubs is no mere matter of hanging blue ribbons on those with the prettiest flowers. In fact, he may well take notice of the relatively slight importance accorded in the system to floral values. Flower, though it may be the most obvious consideration, is, nevertheless, only one of many which enter into the process. It is usually of only short duration, lasting in most cases for from one to at the most three weeks out of fifty-two. For some 24 weeks from spring till autumn—we look for other virtues, like foliage values and blending qualities; and in the autumn, for seasonal color and the glitter of fruit. For half the year we look through our windows upon a leafless landscape, and we want that picture to be as attractive as possible.
There is no dearth of shrubs with good floral qualities. But we do not want to give up any of our precious planting space for a mere sprig of blossom if, by being a little more choosy, we can get, over and above it, a pleasing mass of foliage, a berry laden bough, a blotch of autumn color and a winter pattern like a pen-drawing on the snow. We may not be able to comprise all of these assets in one bush, but we can find sufficient combinations of them to more than offset the single virtue of flower. It is hoped that the Score Chart may help find them.
We ought to sell our limited space as dearly as possible andplace our selections of shrubs on a stiffly competitive basis. The novice is likely to overrate the importance of flower and thereby to deprive himself of many other enjoyments.
