GROUND COVER PLANTS 
Much publicity has been given this group of plants of late. Some 
make lawn substitutes of variable quality depending on the method 
by which they are set out. In general better results are to be had 
by carefully grading and preparing the ground as you would for a 
lawn. Then set small divisions closer than generally recommended 
to cover the soil as quickly as possible before the soil between has 
a chance to wash away. This prevents the mounding effect so often 
seen in these lawns. 
Ajuga, Carpet Bugle. One of the finest covers for shady places 
where a good water supply can be assured. Leaves make a close 
turf not over 2 inches high. Blue flowers in spring. 
Arctostaphylos uva-ursi (Manzanita, Bearberry). Prostrate trailing 
variety, excellent for a ground cover. The leaves are a rich green. 
The flowers are white with a pink tint, followed by red berries. 
Ceanothus gloriosus. Described on page 22. 
Dichondra repens. Makes a very close lawn surface of tiny round 
green leaves. Best in sunny places where it can be given moderate 
watering. Becomes loose and large in shade. Needs mowing once 
in a while only. Easy to manage. 
English Ivy. Dark green glossy leaves, makes a cover about one 
foot deep. Needs no mowing. Excellent on banks or level areas. 
Mat is too deep to walk over comfortably. Also in variegated 
form. Makes an unusual color contrast. 
Gazania. Greyish tufts of foliage covered by quantities of golden 
or orange and reddish daisies on six-inch stems. Best in hot sun. 
Set plants 6 to 8 inches apart. 
Hedera canariensis variegated (Variegated Algerian lvy). Like the 
Hedera canariensis, but its leaves are a creamy-white and green, 
beautifully variegated. An evergreen vine that is especially vigorous. 
Hedera Hahn’s. This compact growing small leaf ivy finds much 
use in planter boxes because of its somewhat restricted growth habit. 
It may be used as a bed edging or ground cover in patio work where 
its dark green foliage creates a restful effect. 
Ivy Geranium. For partially shaded or sunny places. Shiny neatly 
shaped leaves and showy flowers in pink, red, white, lavender or 
purple. Makes a nice cover for banks. Trailing. Subject to frost. 
Hypericum calycinum. A low growing, bushy plant, bearing large, 
yellow flowers from May through October. Valuable as a ground 
cover. 
Helxine, Baby’s Tears. Hardy, close creeper, making an excellent 
quick cover in deep shade with plenty of moisture. Tiny round 
St. Patrick’s Day green leaves. Subject to frost. 
Mesembryanthemum, Ice Plant. Rapid growing waxy succulent 
plants making excellent covers in dry sunny places. Colorful 
flowers in abundance, often cover the plants and make showy ef- 
fects. Available in different colors, rose-pink, red, orange and 
yellow. 
Ornamental Strawberry, Fragaria chiloensis. Handsome glossy fo- 
liage, covered in spring with countless white flowers. Hardy and 
attractive, sun or partial shade. 
Trailing Lantana. Creeping plant making a mat about one foot deep 
with showy lavender-purple flowers over a long season. Very tough 
and hardy. Should it freeze back it quickly recovers. 
Vinca minor (Periwinkle, Myrtle). Excellent evergreen ground 
cover, particularly for shady spots. Deep blue flowers. Very suit- 
able for rock gardens. 
OTHER GROUND COVERS 
are the prostrate types of shrubs described in other parts of this 
catalog such as: 
COTONEASTERS—AI! white or pinkish-white flowered with red 
berries in fall and winter. See full descriptions on page 16. 
C. conspicua decora. Necklace Cotoneaster, with tiny deep green 
foliage. 
GC? pareontala Small-leaved creeper with fanning branches. 
C. microphylla. Low, densely covered with tiny foliage. 
HYPERICUM—Arching, low growing shrub with densely carried 
foliage and showy, jewel-like yellow flowers. (See page 18.) For 
instance: 
H. calycinum. Especially low-growing with large flowers. 
H. moserianum. Very dense and dark-leaved. 
JUNIPERS. All Junipers can be restricted in growth by pruning. 
But here are some of the better known spreading types (see also 
page 27): 
J. pfitzeriana. Bushy, wide spreading, horizontal. 
J. armstrongi. Bluer and softer foliage. 
J. procumbens. Bluish, sharply pointed leaves. 
J. tamariscifolia. Blue green, closest to the ground. 
PYRACANTHAS (Firethorn). If not trained upright tend all to 
spread. (See page 20 for varieties.) 
P. yunnanensis. Spreading to 12 feet, is the most often used ground 
cover firethorn. 
Another excellent ground cover subject are the various CREEPING 
VINES (pages 32-33) such as Ampelopsis, the Ivies and Honey- 
suckle. 
A g 
y V}- 
MERCED LAWN MIX 
for a Lovely Lawn 
A GROWING &\ QUALITY PRODUCT 
Lawn Rollers and Seeders Loaned Free for 24 Hours 
Lawn Planting and Maintenance 
Mix, Park Green Lawn Mix, Athletic Field 
Mix, Playground Mix and Scott’s Lawn Seed 
in Grass Seed Blends. We have Kentucky 
Blue Grass, Bermuda, Astoria Bent and other 
straight seeds. Let us help you select the 
best seed for your lawn. 
SEEDING 
In seeding your lawn, care should be taken 
to prepare a good seed bed. Rake and level 
your prepared plot and roll with a light weight 
roller. Re-rake your plot and distribute the 
seed evenly at the rate of 1 lb. to each 200 
square feet. If a heavier turf is desired use 
1 Ib. to 150 square teet. After seeding sprin- 
kle about Yg inch (or enough to cover the 
seed) of a good grade of Horticulture Peat 
Moss. This aids in retaining moisture and will 
PLANTING TIME 
Lawns may be planted in Merced any time 
in the year. The best planting period is in 
the fall from September to November and in 
the spring from February to May. The fall 
rains, with warm days and cool nights make 
the ideal season for planting, or reseeding 
lawns. 
SOIL PREPARATION 
In preparing the soil it should be worked to 
a uniform depth of at least 8 inches, removing 
rocks and debris. Heavy soil should be light- 
ened by mixing peat moss at the rate of one 
bale to 300 square feet in the top 3 or 4 
inches of soil. Agriculture gypsum at the rate 
of 20 pounds per 100 square feet will also im- 
prove the physical condition of the soil so it 
will not pack. 
FERTILIZATION 
After the ground is prepared apply 2 lbs. 
of Best garden and lawn (or similar) fertilizer 
to each 100 square feet to insure your new 
lawn all the plant food elements necessary 
for vigorous growth. 
SEED SELECTION 
The selection of seed is very important as 
there are seeds for sun, shade, and wet areas. 
At our garden store you will find all the lead- 
ing grass seed, with special prepared mixes 
for your particular requirements. Our finest 
mixture is the Merced Lawn Mix, a perfect 
blend of blue grass and clover. We also fea- 
ture Exposition Mix, Shade Lawn Mix, Bent 
speed seed germination. It will give a better 
seed and fertilizer distribution and keep the 
Peat Moss from blowing or floating away if 
you will lightly rake the seed, Peat Moss and 
fertilizer after planting. Then re-roll your 
pot and water with.a fine spray and never let 
the surface dry out. 
MAINTENANCE 
The lawn should not be mowed until it is 
three or four inches high. Thereafter your 
lawn should be cut once a week during the 
growing season. Lawns should be watered 
every other day during the warm weather and 
fertilized in the spring and fall. Don’t neg- 
lect your lawn in the fall. Many people let 
their lawn become too dry this time of the 
year. Stribling’s are prepared to help you 
with all your planting needs. 
34 ASK US HOW TO KEEP YOUR GARDEN PEST-FREE 
