FERNS AND GROUND COVERS 
If you wish to create a woodsy spot in your garden, nothing will do more 
than ferns to give it a quiet, restful atmosphere. Or if you are confronted with 
the problem of a bare, unsightly patch on the north side of your house or along 
the edge of the shrubbery border, ferns may happily solve your problem. Do not 
expect miracles from them, for they will not grow in hard, poor soil under the 
drip of eaves. However, it is possible to select a fern which will glorify almost 
any situation, provided the ground is well prepared—deep and loose with plenty 
of humus. 
Adiantum pedatum, Hardy Maidenhair, 
15 inches. 
Plenty of shade and very rich, cir- 
cumneutral soil. The most airy of 
our native ferns. 
65c for 3; $2.50 per dozen. 
Asplenium platyneuron (ebeneum). 
Ebony Spleenwort, 6 inches. 
Dry, stony situation, overlaid with 
humus; sun or shade. Stiff narrow 
fronds. 
65c for 3; $2.50 per doz. 
Osmunda Claytoniana, Interupted Fern, 
4 feet. 
Easy; indifferent to sun or shade; 
likes stones. Easily transplanted; 
may be used in foundation plantings. 
The whole plant is shaped like a 
graceful fountain. 
65c foi 3; $2.50 per dozen. 
— cinnamomea, Cinnamon Fern, 4 feet, 
Moist acid soil in sun or shade. 
Crowns of stiff, stately fronds. Re¬ 
sents transplanting. 
95c for 3; $3.50 per doz. 
— regalis, Royal Fern, 4 feet. 
Prefers wet, shaded situation, but 
can survive in any soil, of acid in¬ 
clination, which is not too dry. Soft 
and graceful in effect. 
95c for 3; $3.50 per dozen. 
Polystichum (Aspidium) acrosticoides, 
Christmas Fern, 2 feet. 
Fond of rocky banks facing north, 
but grows in almost any shady situa¬ 
tion. Evergreen leaves, held stiffly 
erect, or, in winter, flat against the 
ground. 
65c each; $2.50 per dozen. 
Vinca minor, Periwinkle, Myrtle, 6 
inches. 
This little, trailing evergreen vine, 
with its blue flowers in spring, is 
always attractive and easy to es¬ 
tablish. 65c for 3; $2.50 per dozen. 
GORDONTA CULTURE 
The plants are rapid growers and respond well to any acid fertilizer. 
This, however, should not be applied late in the season as the fall 
growth may winterkill. 
During the first two growing seasons the young plants should be 
staked and kept well-watered. As the bark of the Gordonia is tender 
and succulent, it is much relished by rabbits which may kill the trees 
in the winter; but it is a simple matter to prevent damage of this sort 
by putting chicken wire around the trees in the fall. Except to remove 
crossing branches and to train to a desired shape, Gordonia alatamaha 
does not require pruning. 
HERBS 
Does the new style of herb gardening appeal to you? Much interest is now being 
taken in the medicinal and sweet herbs which grew in Colonial gardens. Herbs have 
peculiar histories, and we find many recipes for their use in the old garden books 
and herbals. They were used medicinally to cure anything from indigestion to 
melancholy. Today thyme, marjoram, parsley, and sage are grown in kitchen 
gardens for garnishing, and for seasoning meats, poultry, soups, and sauces; 
others, such as rosemary, lavender, and lemon verbena, are liked for their pleasantly- 
scented foliage. If you are interested, send for our Herb List; it describes many 
quaint and unusual varieties. 
