HUGH B. BARCLAY, Narberth, Pa. 
3 
Using Ground'Cover Plants to Bind and 
Beautify Terraces 
Because many planters fail to visualize the beauty of the color of foliage contrasts of Ground-Cover 
Plants, especially on banks and terraces, we have shown here a plan of a 100 by 24-foot terrace so planted. 
The size, quantity, distance to plant, and different varieties of plants used, are given, and the key number 
showing where they are to go in the planting. 
Distance 
Key Plant to plant Quantity 
I 2 Vi-in. Pachysandra terminalis.4 to sq. ft. 1560 
II 2'/4-in. Vinca minor . 4 to sq. ft. 2208 
III 2-yr. Field Euonymus coloratus.15 to 18 in. 500 
IV 214-in. Phlox subulata. 8 to 10 in. 1280 
Distance 
Key Plant to plant Quantity 
V 3'/ 2 -in. Cotoneaster horizontalis.18 to 24 in. 140 
VI 2 l /4-iu. Lonicera Haitians 10 to 15 in. 260 
VII 2 Vi-in. Euonymus acutus.. 12 to 18 in. 250 
From the Ground-Cover Plants listed in this Catalog, many combination plantings can be used to 
give foliage and flower effect in spring, summer, fall, and winter. 
On steep terraces partially shaded by large trees, or on open sunny terraces too steep or difficult to mow, 
combination ground-cover plantings are excellent, require little attention, always look well, and the labor 
of upkeep is reduced to practically nothing. 
Where the slope of the land has necessitated making an abrupt terrace, it becomes a necessary evil 
detracting from the harmony which would otherwise 
exist. Here Ground-Cover Plants can be arranged 
to soften the contour and convert the terrace into a 
gradual slope. These simple diagrams illustrate 
this idea. 
On steep terraces and slopes with northern 
exposure not every plant will thrive. There are many excellent plants in the Ground-Cover Plant list which 
will do very well in such a location. They introduce warmth of foliage in winter and a cool green in summer. 
For large terraces we are glad to submit estimates. Make a small diagram or ground-plan of the terrace, 
showing length and width, the sunny and shady places, the exposure—whether north or south, and the like— 
and stating the degree of slope. From this information we can give you quite an accurate estimate on 
quantities to use, estimating either for a combination planting similar to the above plan, or where desired, 
with only one variety of ground-cover. 
Helpful Planting Hints 
Heavy Soils. Few plants enjoy heavy soil, even if 
rich; for such soils we advise the addition of 2 inches of 
sand and 2 inches of Peat Moss, dug into the soil not 
more than 4 to 6 inches deep. If soil is rich, no manure 
need be added. Plant firmly. 
Medium Soils. Add 1 inch of sand and 2 inches of 
Granulated Peat Moss, or fine compost, dug 4 to 6 
inches deep (not deeper). No manure unless soil is 
poor. Plant firmly. 
Light Soils. Add 2 inches of Granulated Peat Moss 
or leaf-mold or compost, Peat Moss preferred. Add 
manure if soil is poor, but do not dig under more than 
6 inches, except for Euonymus or similar deep-rooted 
plants. Plant firmly. 
Very Poor Light Soils. Add manure and Peat Moss 
(or compost), 2 inches of each. Dig in deeper, about 
8 inches, level and add 1 inch more of Peat Moss. 
Dig lightly and plant firmly. 
Hard Ground. Where clay subsoil has been mixed 
with the top-soil at time of grading, the entire mass 
should be broken by deep digging. Then add 2 inches 
of sand, 2 inches of Peat Moss or manure, and turn it 
again. Now add another inch of sand and Peat Moss 
and dig 4 to 6 inches deep. 
Under Trees. Any plant under a large tree has keen 
competition; usuafly the soil is poor and contains little 
humus. We advise digging the soil to a depth of 8 
inches; add 3 inches of manure and 2 inches of Peat 
Moss or compost; add sand if the soil is heavy. Dig 
well again, add an inch of Peat Moss or compost and 
work in lightly. 
Plant firmly, and water the plants well so the roots 
and soil come in close contact, resulting in immediate 
growth. A half-inch mulch of Peat Moss, buckwheat 
hulls, or compost is beneficial immediately after 
planting. 
Peat Moss 
Peat Moss is semi-decayed moss, light brown in 
color, free from fungus and weed seeds, and has no odor. 
Its value lies in its power to absorb nearly sixteen times 
its weight of moisture and to make friable heavy clay 
soils, as well as to make light soils capable of retaining 
moisture. We advise the use of Peat Moss for large 
plantings of Ground-Cover Plants in other than good 
garden loams. Bales are sold by cubic contents, not 
weight. Each bale contains sufficient Peat Moss to 
cover 240 square feet of surface 1 inch deep. In plant¬ 
ing Rhododendrons, Azaleas, Kalmias, and other 
broad-leaved plants, we can safely say that a mixture 
of 50 per cent top-soil and Peat Moss will grow any 
of these plants to perfection. 
Prices will be quoted on request 
