Evening star., 1940-07-06

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selecting the right kind of plant
material Consider the soil, the ex-
posure, and the size in making the
choice. A hot, dry southern or west
ern exposure takes an entirely diff
ferent type of plant than an eastern
or northern slope. A shady bank is
easily covered with ivy or myrtle,
while the sunny terrace may require
such persistent growers as the
japanese honeysuckle and the Tawny
daylily. The size of the bank is an
extremely important factor. A small
terrace is hardly proper place for
such plants as barberry sumac, or
strong growing rose such as the DR..
Van Fleet.
Holding Soil
Important.
In growing plants on terrace
one should first make some provi-
sion to hold the soil until the plants
become established If there are
still some vestiges of sod or grass
they may we'll be left intact, the
new plants being set in holes. II
the sod is entirely gone, however, or
If it is necessary to rework or 10
replace the soil that has been
washed away, then it is well to use
burlap, straw, brush, or some other
material to hold it until the plants
become established.
In nearly every case 1t Is M
portant that some provision be MADE
to prevent water from draining down
over the terrace. A shallow ditch
at the top is one way to overcome
this difficulty. Grading the ground
at the top of the terrace is even bet
ter since then the water is gwen an
opportunity to soak into the SOIL
rather than to drain away.
In planting shrubs, vine or any
plant material on a terrace, it is de-
sirable to incorporate sufficient
humus and plant food to give them
a good start in life. This may be
done by digging a substantial hole
In the terrace and mixing the humus
and plant food in the soil before
placing the plant. The drier the
bank the more important this safe
guard.
After planting it is well to mulch
with partially rotted compost, straw,
leaves or any other available ma
terial. If the bank is steep, brush
may be used to hold the compost.
1t may be necessary on steep slopes
to peg the brush down with sticks
or wire. Burlap may be spread over
the bank and fastened down with
wire staples. The advantage of bur-
lap is that it will rot in time and
hence there is no problem of re-
moving after the plants are estab-
1ished.
For Western or
Southern Slope.
For the terrace with southern or
western exposure one may consider
such plants as the spreading juni-
pers, sumac, tawny daylily (Hemoro-
calls fulva), japanese honeysuckle,
blue leadWort (Ceratostigma plum
baginoides) and with good soil some
of the trailing roses. On an eastern
slope or in light shade one might
grow the rockspray (Cotoneaster
Horizontans) myrtle (Vinca minor :,
ivy, trailing jumpers, roses or
sedums. For shady banks there are
the ivy, Japanese spurge (Pachy-
sandra), Vinca minor, spreading
yews, laurel, azaleas, etc. Ferns are
especially pleasing on shaded bank
that is relatively moist.
On small terraces one may use
such plants as the sedums that are
adapted to both sun and shade.
They are happy in drier situations
than are most plants. Ivy can be
used in such situation, If kept
trimmed and the smaller -leaved
varieties are used, although it will
sunburn in the winter on a sunny
bank with a southern or western
exposure.
The various irises are often men
toned as plant material for terraces
as they spread rapidly and hold the
soil. However, they are usually
troubled with the iris borer and a
destructive rot that follows such
infestation. Otherwise they are very
satisfactory because they are hardy
rapid growers which thrive in dry,
sunny positions.
Our native trailing blackberry
(dewberry) or the cultivated dew
berries should make effective covers
for sunny banks. They tip root, are
low-growing and make splendid
mat of pleasing green. If they are
as persistent on a bank as they are
in the average garden they should
be widely used, since their sharp
thorns turn dogs and children etfec-
lively. With judicious pruning they
can be kept under control.
Rambler roses are not satisfactory
here because of their susceptibility
to mildew. Such strong growing,
large-fowered climbing roses as DR.
Van Fleet, Mary Wallace and mer-
maid are resistant to mildew and
can be used on large terraces where
they have the morning or midday
sun. Some of the less vigorous
growers, such as Max Graf, ever
green gem and Wichuraiana are
duOpteu W lcSS cApduSlVc SPACES
On a large area one might even
=. use such a strong, spreading grower
as Harrison's yellow as it spreads
by underground roots and makes a
dense thicket. However, it is tall
growing and is adapted only to rela-
lively large terraces.
The above-named plants are not
intended as a complete enumeration
of suitable materials h1lt as an in.