GROUND COVERS 
By the term “ground cover” are meant the many low-growing plants of spreading habit used primarily to hide unsightly areas 
of bare ground with the least effort of upkeep, or plants that take the place of a lawn. 
They are the ideal solution for waste 
spaces where other plants fail, as well as for banks and slopes in danger of erosion. The network of ground cover roots prevents 
the washing away of soil and checks the growth of weeds. In addition, ground covers act like a mulch to keep roots cool and 
slow down the loss of water in hot areas. To get quick effects, staggered planting in diamond shaped patterns 1s suggested. 
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, Bear- 
berry). Prostrate trailing variety, excellent for 
a ground cover. The leaves are a rich green. 
The flowers are white with a pink tint, fol- 
owed by red berries. 
Ceanothus gloriosus. Blue flowers and dark 
green foliage. 
Ceanothus griseus horizontalis. (Carmel 
Creeper). A low creeping variety about | to 2 
feet tall and 3 to 6 feet across, splendid for 
training over rocks. Will stand wind near the 
coast, full sunlight or partial shade. When in 
bloom the leaves are barely visible in the 
mound of deep blue flowers. 
Cotoneasters — All white or pinkish - white 
flowered with red berries in fall and winter. 
See full descriptions on page 7. 
C. conspicua decora. Necklace Cotoneaster, 
with tiny deep green foliage. 
C. horizontalis. Small-leaved creeper with 
fanning branches. 
C. microphylla. Low, densely covered with 
tiny foliage. 
Dichondra repens. Makes a very close lawn 
surface of tiny round green leaves. Best in 
sunny places where it can be given moderate 
watering. Needs mowing once in a while only. 
IVY (Hedera). Plant from seeds or flats. 
Algerian. Large, green leaves and vigorous, 
rampant growth. Excellent for ground 
cover, climbing on fences, or trained on 
porch posts. 
English. Dark green glossy leaves, makes a 
cover about one foot deep. Needs no mow- 
ing. Excellent on banks or level areas. Mat 
is too deep to walk over comfortably. Also 
in variegated form. Makes an unusual 
color contrast. 
Hahn’s. Compact growing small leat ivy 
much used in planter boxes. It may be used 
as a bed edging or ground cover in patio 
work where its dark green foliage creates a 
restful effect. 
Variegated. Leaves are a creamy-white and 
green, beautifully variegated. An evergreen 
vine that is especially vigorous. 
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. 
Ivy Geranium. For partially shaded or sunny 
places. Shiny neatly shaped leaves and showy 
flowers in pink, red, white, lavender or purple. 
Nice cover for banks. Trailing. Half hardy. 
Junipers. All Junipers can be restricted in 
growth by pruning. But here are some of the 
better known spreading types. 
J. pfitzeriana. Bushy, wide spreading. 
J. armstrongi. Bluer and softer foliage. 
DICHONDRA LAWN 
J. procumbens. Bluish, pointed leaves. 
J. tamariscifolia. Blue green. Hugs ground. 
Hypericum calycinum. A low growing, bushy 
plant, bearing large, yellow flowers from May 
through October. 
Hypericum moserianum. Very dense and dark 
leaved. 
Lantana. Trailing, creeping plant making a 
mat about one foot deep with showy lavender- 
purple flowers over a long season. 
Lantana Gold Rush (Pat. 1211). All year round 
clusters of the brightest yellow flowers cover 
the attractive forest green foliage. Grows 
rapidly. Sun. Hardy except in coldest spots. 
Mesembryanthemum, Ice Plant. Rapid grow- 
ing waxy succulent plants making excellent 
covers in dry sunny places. Available in rose- 
pink, red, orange and yellow. 
Ornamental Strawberry, Fragaria chiloensis. 
Handsome glossy foliage, covered in spring 
with countless white flowers. Hardy and at- 
tractive, sun or partial shade. 
Pyracanthas (Firethorn). If not trained up- 
right tend all to spread. (See page 10 for va- 
rieties.) P. Santa Cruz. Spreading to 12 feet, 
is the most often used ground cover firethorn. 
Rosemarinus officinalis (Dwarf Rosemary). 
A spreading form of the well-known kitchen 
herb with dark, narrow leaves and light blue 
flowers in May and April. Thrives in sun. 
Sedum (Stone crop). A succulent, evergreen 
herb, low and trailing habit. Does well in sun 
and shade and in poor soils. Drought-resistant. 
Trachelospermum jasminoides (Star Jasmine). 
Dark substantial foliage and innumerable 
summer clusters of waxy white bloom of in- 
comparable fragrance. Sun or shade. Hardy. 
Vinca Minor (Periwinkle, Myrtle). Excellent 
evergreen, particularly for shady spots. Deep 
blue flowers. Very suitable for rock gardens. 
Other excellent ground cover subjects are the 
various CREEPING VINES (pages 28-29) such 
as Amelopsis, the Ivies and Honeysuckle. 
LAWN SEED 
We offer the finest quality Lawn Seed. Our salesmen are fully qualified to suggest the type 
and mixture for your particular problem. See us when you plant a new lawn or wish to 
renovate an old one. Lawn rollers and mowers, seeders and fertilizer spreaders available. 
10 STEPS TO A BEAUTIFUL LAWN 
Much has been written on the subject of planting a lawn, but the 
process should not be difficult if one follows a few general rules. 
The soil should be fairly rich and friable. Often in our area it is 
necessary to add topsoil. This is available and of a good quality. 
In other cases the addition of gypsum at rate of 3-4 bags per 1000 
square fect, humus builder or peat moss will do the necessary job. 
In any event the procedure after the ground is prepared is the 
same. We suggest these 10 steps to a beautiful lawn. 
1. Turn soil and water. After weeds have sprouted turn soil again 
and water. “Phis cycle should be repeated until most of the 
weeds are gone. This generally requires about a month. 
2. Rake and level. 
3. Roll and level. 
4. Fertilize, using about four pounds commercial fertilizer per 
100 square feet. Not manure. 
5. Seratch surface slightly and sow seeds. Roll again thoroughly. 
6. Apply light mulch of finely shredded Canadian Peat at the 
rate of GOO to 1,000 square feet per bale. Roll lightly. 
~I 
Water with fine spray. Don’t allow water to wash the peat or 
Seed? 
8. Keep moist at all times. Water with fine spray. 
% 
9. Some grass will appear in from 5 to 7 days. Others may take 
up to 3 weeks. 
10. Cutting should not be done until the grass is from 2 to 3 
inches high. 
3 Roll to Pack 
C 
Seed into oreful light 
watering 
10 FT. 
Soil builders, such as peat moss, leaf mold and steer manure, are also items that every garden needs. We handle only the best in this line. 
Insecticides and Fertilizers are necessary items to good plant growth and appearance. See our complete selection at the nursery. 
16 PLANTING TIME IN CALIFORNIA IS ALL THE TIME 
