Vinca minor 
(Periwinkle) 
Bowles Myrtle 
a 
Epimedium macranthum niveum 
Pachysandra terminalis 
GROUND COVERS 
In nearly every garden there are some places where a ground cover, in one form or another, will re- 
duce upkeep or give a better effect. Carpet plants are specially useful in places where it is impossible 
because of tree roots or soil conditions, to grow a lawn. Here are some ground-cover plants among which 
you will very likely find the answer to your problem. All are hardy in this latitude. 
Ajuga reptans (Bugle). This dwarf, creeping perennial 
makes a splendid ground cover in either sunny or shady 
places. The evergreen leaves are a rich, shiny green 
with deep blue flowers on short stems in May and June. 
Space plants 10 inches apart. In soil, flat of 25 plants 
$4; doz. $2.50; $16 per 100. 
Arenaria verna cezspitosa. Useful only in spaces be- 
tween flagstones, around stone steps and walls. Forms 
a grass-like, deep green mat 2 inches high and bears 
tiny white star flowers in May. Likes a sandy, leaf- 
mould loam in sun or shade. 3 for $1.50; doz. $5.50. 
Ampelopsis quinquefolia (Virginia Creeper). This Is 
fine for covering large banks or wooded areas in either 
sun or shade. It is a vigorous, fast-growing vine with 
attractive foliage which becomes a scarlet-gold tone 
in the fall. Plant 5 feet apart. 3 for $1.95; doz. $7. 
Asperula odorata (Sweet Woodruff). An 8-inch ground 
cover with fragrant white flowers in May. The small, 
light green foliage is attractive. Thrives in moist 
shade but does well in half shade or sun in humusy soil. 
Plant 12 inches apart. 3 for $1.50; doz. $5.50. 
Celastrus scandens (Bittersweet). A vigorous, rampant 
vine for covering large slopes or areas in sun or shade. 
It has large, handsome, light green foliage and in May 
and June bears yellow flowers. In the fall the clusters 
of yellow orange-capsuled fruit appear. It has no soil 
preference. As these are often bisexual, plant 2 or 3 
together to insure berries. Plant 3 feet apart. 3 for 
$2.55; doz. $9.50. 
Epimedium (Barrenwort). A distinctive ground cover 
in sun or shade but better in half shade. Spaced 9 inches 
apart they form a solid 9 to 12-inch carpet with light 
green, heart-shaped, leathery leaves, bronze edged in 
the fall. They bear a mass of flowers in May and June 
and like a peaty loam. Alpinum rubrum, red and 
white; and Macranthum niveum, pure white. Each, 
3 for $1.65; doz. $6. 
Euonymus acuta. This prostrate, spreading vine forms 
a shiny, dark evergreen, dense carpet. Prevents weed 
growth. Does well in full sun, half shade or dense 
shade. Space 18 inches apart. 3 for $1.65; doz. $6. 
Gaultheria procumbens (Wintergreen). In small 
areas in half shade or full shade, this forms a carpet 
of oval, waxy leaves from 3 to 6 inches in depth and 
usually bears white nodding flowers in July and edible 
scarlet berries in fall. It likes a sandy, peaty, moist soil. 
Space 6 inches apart. 3 for $1.50; doz. $5.50. 
Iris cristata (Crested Iris). Beautiful carpets in small 
areas if the soil is moist and contains lots of humus, 
if located in half shade or full shade. The amethyst- 
blue flowers, 4 inches high, appear in late April and 
May. Space 6 inches apart. 3 for $1.50; doz. $5.50. 
Ivy, English (Hedera Helix). This hardy, shiny-leaved 
vine makes a splendid ground cover in light sun or 
half shade and also in the densest shade. It thrives in a 
rich moist soil, becomes very dense and makes a fine 
carpet fer daffodils. Allow 114 square feet per plant. 
In soil, (minimum) flat of 25 plants $4; $16 per 100. 
Also larger plants in 4-inch pots, 60c each; 3 for $1.65; 
doz. $6. 
Lonicera Halliana (Hall’s Honeysuckle). This is ex- 
cellent for steep banks in either sun or part shade. 
It is vigorous, with almost evergreen foliage and very 
fragrant white flowers, which turn to yellow, all 
through summer. It has no soil preference. Stagger 
plants 6 feet apart. 3 for $2.10; doz. $7.80; $60 per 100. 
28 
Pachysandra terminalis (Japan Spurge). The erect, 
8-inch plants spread rapidly by side growth under the 
soil. Will grow in any shade condition even under pine 
trees and will tolerate half-sun. Valuable for use as a 
ground cover under shrubs and trees, along walks and 
drives, and on steep terraces. Plant four or less to the 
square foot. In soil, doz. $2.15; flat of 50 for $7.50. 
Phlox divaricata (Blue Phlox). A very useful ground 
cover if spaced one foot apart in enriched humusy loam. 
The open plants, 10 inches high, with attractive clusters of 
lavender-blue flowers in April and May, will grow well 
in sun, half shade or full shade. 3 for $1.50; doz. $5.50. 
Phlox subulata (Moss Pink). These become a mass of 
color in April and May if in full sun. Growing about 
6 inches high, they like a sandy or gravely light soil, 
preferably on the acid side, and can withstand drought 
Plant 15 inches apart. They come in Carmine-red, 
Blue, Rose and White. Each, 3 for $1.35; doz. $4.75. 
Polygonum Reynoutria (Dwarf Lace Plant). This 
8-inch ground cover for sunny places is very hardy and 
establishes itself readily from underground runners. 
It does best in full sun and its pale green foliage turns 
bright red in the fall. In September it bears numerous 
airy, pale pink flower-sprays. Plant about one foot 
apart. 3 for $1.65; doz. $6; $45 per 190. 
Sedum acre (Gold Moss). The dense, creeping evergreen 
mats, if planted one foot apart in a sunny place, will 
form a solid 2-inch carpet of fine green leaves. Covered 
with bright yellow, small flowers in May and June. 
Likes a rather dry, sandy soil and does well even in a 
poor, thin soil. 3 for $1.35; doz. $4.75. 
Sedum sarmentosum (Stringy Stonecrop). This spreads 
rapidly and is useful in covering a hot, dry, sunny bank 
in poor soil. It is 4 inches high with flat leaves and 
sprays of bright yellow flowers from June to August. 
Space one foot apart. 3 for $1.50; doz. $5.50. 
Sedum stoloniferum (Running Stonecrop). A 6-inch 
ground cover may be made by spacing these creeping 
plants one foot apart. The pink flower clusters come 
in July and August on flat, succulent foliage. Likes 
a sunny, dry, sandy soil. 3 for $1.35; doz. $4.75. 
Thymus lanuginosus (Woolly-leaved Thyme). A hardy 
creeping plant, 4 inches high, with small, rosy lilac 
flowers from June to August and has downy, gray 
foliage. If planted 6 inches apart, it forms a splendid 
carpet in a sunny, dry spot. 3 for $1.50; doz. $5.50. 
Thymus Serpyllum (Creeping Thyme). A sprawling, 
3-inch evergreen, with rooting stems. The dense 
leaves are covered with tiny blooms from June to 
August. It thrives in poor, dry soils in sun and is 
fine between flagstones. Space 8 inches apart. We have 
argenteus (Silver-leaved); aureus (Golden-leaved T.) 
citriodorus (fragrant Lemon T.); coccineum, purple- 
red flowers; and White. Each, 3 for $1.50; doz. $5.50. 
Veronica rupestris (Rock Speedwell). This neat trailing 
plant, 3 to 4 inches high, is ideal when planted between 
flagstones or as a carpet among small spring flowers. 
It enjoys any good soil in sun or half shade and bears 
small, bright blue flower spikes in June. Plant 8 inches 
apart to form a thick mat. 3 for $1.50; doz. $5.50. 
Vinca minor, Bowles (Myrtle). A fine full- or half- 
shade, 6-inch ground cover, with broad, glossy green 
foliage and blue flowers in May and June. Interplant 
with Daffodils, Mertensia or Plumbago. Plant 6 inches 
apart for a solid carpet; 12 inches if time to grow out. 
In soil flats of 25 for $5; doz. $3; $20 per 100. 
