SPECIAL PURPOSE PLANTS 
Ground Covers — 
Prevent Erosion on Steep Banks 
Steep slopes can be put into grass and mowed. But it is never easy 
and maintenance is constant work and worry. The following plants 
do the job better from a point of view of roots holding earth in 
place. There are almost no maintenance problems. All are 
vigorous and spreading, and four are inclined to get out of hand: 
Hedera, Lonicera, Rose and Vinca. They can, however, be rigor- 
ously pruned (or mowed) without the least harm. 

eS 
Vinca, (Myrtle) 
VINCA .- The Myrtle 
This is, in our opinion, the most satis- 
factory, showy, trouble-free of all ground 
covers. The leaf is small, shiny, dark 
green all year round. Even in full shade, 
the leaves grow thickly enough to cover 
the ground from sight. It spreads by 
underground roots so that in a few years 
clumps spaced as much as 3 ft. apart 
will cover an entire area. However, if 
you want to be sure of coverage within 
(say) 2 years, we recommend spacing 
18 in. apart. There are blue flowers, 
showy and cheerful, all spring long and 
the plant will grow and thrive in any soil 
including barren sand or clay banks. It 
may have to be watered in dry climates 
during the heat of the summer—no other 
care needed. Planting—Clumps come 
tied compactly. Untie and spread 
out when planting. 

ROSA WICHURAIANA—most useful for ground cover, or on banks to 
prevent soil erosion. (See also Brownell Creepers p. 29.) 
















The Spread- 
ing Juniper 
photographed 
at the leftisa 
dressy, quite 
satisfactory 
cover for dry 
sunbaked 
slopes where 
a natural ef- 
fect is de- 
sired, 

se rae ae Or TRS fi : 7% Marry : di. Bre ro mt Wie t ee on ae ore me a at's = ¢ phot i Dat ie 
PACHYSANDRA makes a rich, interesting JAPANESE HONEYSUCKLE is a vigorous- 
carpet 6 inches deep. Will grow in full sun or growing vine and mats slopes in sun or part 
dense shade. Requires humus and considerable Page 4 shade. The flowers are strongly fragrant. Grows 
noisture. in any soil. 


