CHAPTER XXIX 

 PLANTS FOR GROUND COVER 



Ground-cover plants are distinctly valuable for a use covered by the 

 literal interpretation of the word. The conditions which they over- 

 come may not be unsightly or entirely barren. Their general use is to 

 provide on the ground an interesting carpet, which may be close- 

 growing, as in the instance of vines and the very low perennials, or 

 taller-growing, as in the instance of yellowroot and flowering raspberry. 



We may say that ground-cover plants are used to make a more 

 interesting mat, which is an aesthetic use, or to form a carpet for the 

 purpose of preventing excessive evaporation. Many of these plants 

 are useful because of their fruiting characteristics, and also their ability 

 to retain their foliage, both during the hot, dry summer months and 

 during the winter months. In the selection of this material there are 

 many difi^erent and distinct uses which can be definitely grouped under 

 various headings, as shown in this chapter. 



As a matter of fact, any plants, whether high or low, serve as a 

 ground cover in some sense of the word. The tall-growing plants, 

 which are often seen planted in close masses and included in the 

 groups of tall-growing shrubs, are discussed under the headings of 

 "mass plantings" and also "undergrowth plantations." This dis- 

 cussion does not attempt to treat those groups. 



It has seemed best, rather than to include in one general list all of 

 the plants used for ground cover, to make an eff"ort, at least, to separate 

 into a number of subheadings the specific uses for which ground- 

 cover plants may be selected. The person familiar with plant adapta- 

 tions knows that there are distinct groups of plants which are 

 adapted to low, moist conditions, as there are distinct groups of plants 

 adapted to dry and sunny conditions also. Those of us who have had 

 considerable experience in the planting of perennials in different types of 

 garden soil, as aff'ected either by the type of soil or the kind of drainage, 

 know that certain plants will thrive in a very moist soil, while other 

 plants take a great disHke to moist conditions, and will thrive only 



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