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Vines, Flowers, and Ground Covers <br />Clean up carefully. In most cemeteries, shrubs, flowers, and ground <br />covers were planted for their beauty and as a memorial to those <br />buried there. A patch of ornamental ground cover, an over -grown <br />rose or gardenia, a prickly yucca plant, or a clump of lilies -of -the -valley <br />may signal the presence of a grave just as a carved stone does. If <br />historic or significant vegetation does not threaten grave markers or <br />other cemetery features, it should be preserved in place. If the vegeta- <br />tion keeps stones or walls damp or is causing damage, it should be cut <br />back or removed. <br />Use weedeaters around grave markers with caution—the nylon <br />thread will permanently scar the softer historic stones if it comes in <br />contact with them. Don't use power mowers near stones and monu- <br />ments—the blades and thrown debris can scar and even break or <br />topple them. Keep fertilizers and herbicides away from stones -they <br />can stain and damage them. Though it takes longer, use hand-held <br />clippers to trim vegetation around the grave markers—it's the best <br />way to avoid permanent damage. <br />The recently mowed grass is the only vegetation left at this historic familygraveyard. <br />Traditionally, mourners planted trees, flowers and shrubs at thegraves of loved ones. These <br />plantings are an important feature of historic graveyards. Photo SCDAH. <br />32 <br />