CHAPTER XIV

TREES AND SHRUBS FOR SEA-COAST

In planting trees and shrubs near the sea, two important matters must be considered--(1) fierce gales; (2) salt spray. As a protection against storms much may be done by planting quick-growing things, such as Poplars and Willows, and in this sheltered area more permanent trees and shrubs may be put. This way of planting for shelter where bleak places are to be clothed with trees and shrubs is universally adopted in some form or other, sometimes in the shape of hedges or belts, and in the other cases the plants are all placed much thicker together than they are to permanently remain, thus forming a compact mass against which the wind makes little or no impression. In this last-named case continual thinning will be necessary as they grow up, for if left too long the plants become weak, and the advantage gained by the thicker planting is then completely lost. A beautiful seaside shrub, and the best, too, for forming shelter hedges of low or medium height is the Tamarisk, which retains its freshness throughout the season till the autumn, however much exposed to the sea.

It is difficult to make a list of trees and shrubs suitable for seaside planting around the British Isles, as the coast-line is so varied, and the action of the Gulf Stream has great influence on the vegetation of many parts of our western coasts. As no hard and fast line can be drawn, the first list contains those trees and shrubs that may be regarded as thoroughly hardy, unless otherwise specified, and the second list those that are available for planting in the Isle of Wight, in the south and west of England, and in some parts of Ireland.

TREES

Acer platanoides (Norway Maple). ,, Pseudo-platanus (Sycamore). Alnus (Alder) of sorts. Will thrive only in damp places. Ash, Mountain. (See next page.) Betula alba (Birch) and varieties. Carpinus Betulus (Hornbeam). Cerasus _see_ Prunus. Cratægus (Thorn) of sorts. Cupressus macrocarpa (Monterey Cypress). Of rapid growth. Fagus sylvatica (Beech) and varieties. Fraxinus excelsior (Common Ash). F. Ornus (Flowering Ash). Ilex Aquifolium (Holly) and varieties. Laburnum. Pinus austriaca (Austrian Pine). One of the best Firs for bleak seaside places. ,, contorta (Twisted Pine). A small tree. ,, insignis (Grass-green Pine). More tender than the others. ,, Laricio (Corsican Pine). Equal to the Austrian Pine for seaside. ,, muricata (Prickly-coned Pine). A dwarf tree. ,, Pinaster (Cluster Pine). Delights in the neighbourhood of the sea. ,, montana (Mountain Pine). A shrub or small tree. Populus alba (Abele or White Poplar). All the Poplars grow quickly. ,, deltoidea (Canadian Poplar). ,, fastigiata (Lombardy Poplar). ,, nigra (Black Poplar). Prunus Avium, cerasifera (Cherry Plum). ,, Mahaleb. ,, Padus (Bird Cherry). ,, Pissardi (Purple-leaved Plum). Pyrus Aria (White Beam tree). ,, prunifolia (Siberian Crab). ,, Sorbus (Service tree). Quercus Cerris (Turkey Oak). Good loam suits this best. ,, Ilex (Evergreen or Holm Oak). Salix (Willow) of sorts. Prefer a moist soil. Ulmus (Elm) of sorts, particularly Wych Elm and an Elm known as Wheatley Elm.

SHRUBS

Atriplex Halimus (Sea Purslane). Will grow close to the water. Aucuba japonica (Aucuba). Few evergreens equal this. Berberis (Barberry), Aquifolium, Darwinii, buxifolia, and stenophylla. Buxus (Box) and its varieties. Cistus Gum. Does well at Felixstowe, Suffolk. Colutea arborescens (Bladder Senna). Will grow in very sandy soil. Corylus Avellana (Hazel) and varieties. Cotoneaster of sorts. All these are good for the purpose. Cytisus (Broom) of sorts. Daphne Laureola (Spurge Laurel). Will grow in shade. Deutzia crenata, D. crenata flore-pleno, D. gracilis, D. Lemoinei. Elæagnus of sorts. All of these are good. Euonymus europæus and E. latifolius (Spindle trees), and the evergreen E. japonicus and its varieties. This last is one of the most valuable evergreens, but it is rather tender. Ficus Carica (Common Fig). Forsythia suspensa. A charming rambling shrub. Fuchsias, particularly F. Riccartoni. Halimodendron argenteum (Siberian Salt tree). Hippophaë rhamnoides (Sea Buckthorn). The finest seaside shrub or small tree that we have; grows well in damp sands. Leycesteria formosa. Ligustrum (Privet) of sorts. Lycium chinense (Box Thorn). Olearia Haastii (Daisy bush). Osmanthus ilicifolius and varieties. Philadelphus (Mock Orange) of sorts. Phillyræa angustifolia, latifolia, media, and vilmoriniana. Prunus spinosa flore-pleno (Double-flowered Sloe). ,, Laurocerasus (Common Laurel). ,, lusitanica (Portugal Laurel). Pyrus japonica (Japan Quince). Ribes aureum (Golden-flowered Currant). ,, sanguineum (Flowering Currant) and varieties. Rosa. The different wild Roses and Rosa rugosa. Rubus (Bramble). The double-flowered and cut-leaved forms are very ornamental. Salix (Willow) of sorts. All prefer moist soil. Sambucus (Elder) of sorts. Skimmia japonica. Valuable for its bright-red berries. Spartium junceum (Spanish Broom). Will grow almost anywhere. Spiræa of sorts. There is a great variety of these beautiful flowering shrubs. Symphoricarpus racemosus (Snowberry). Syringa (Lilac) of sorts. Tamarix gallica and T. tetrandra. Delightful shrubs for seaside. Ulex europæus (Furze or Gorse), with the double-flowered and dwarf kinds. Viburnum Opulus and V. Opulus sterile (Snowball tree). Weigelas of sorts, particularly Abel Carrière, candida, and Eva Rathke.

For the west of England and other very mild districts the following may be added:--

Aralia Sieboldii. Arbutus Unedo (Strawberry tree). Azara microphylla. Benthamia fragifera. Buddleia globosa. Ceanothus of sorts. Choisya ternata. Desfontainea spinosa. Escallonias of sorts. Fabiana imbricata. Fuchsias, hardy kinds. Garrya elliptica. Grevillea rosmarinifolia, G. sulphurea. Griselinia littoralis. Hydrangea Hortensia. Laurus nobilis (Sweet Bay). Myrtus communis (Myrtle). Pittosporum crassifolium. Rhamnus Alaternus and varieties. Veronicas of sorts. Viburnum Tinus (Laurustinus).