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Horticulture is full of complicated sounding jargon - particularly where
plant types are concerned! The following list explains the meanings of the
various terms and more will be added in the future. If you have any
suggestions for additions to this list, please contact
us by e-mail! Please note that the definitions have been kept as
simple as possible and so may not in every case be one hundred percent
botanically correct!
Horticultural terms explained...
Hardy
Refers to the ability of a plant to withstand the cold. Hardy plants
will survive the typical Winter and frosts experienced in the U.K., non Hardy
plants will not. Half Hardy plants will survive a mild Winter! The
more Hardy a plant is, the colder are the conditions in which it can survive.
Evergreen
Plants that retain their leaves throughout the year.
Deciduous
Plants that loose their leaves in the Winter.
Semi-Evergreen
Plants that retain some of their leaves in the Winter.
Bedding plants
Easy to grow annual (see below) plants that complete their lifecycle from
seed germination to maturity in a single growing season and then die. Most
bedding plants quickly produce a mass of colour, primarily in Spring, Summer or
early Autumn (depending on the variety!) and are therefore ideally suited for
transforming an otherwise dull border in a very short period of time.
Spring or Autumn bedding plants such as Pansies or Polyanthus can withstand
frost. Summer bedding plants such as Lobelia or Marigolds will not survive
a frost at all.
Annuals
Plants that complete their lifecycle from seed germination to a mature
flowering plant, followed by fruit set and seed production in a single growing
season and then die.
Biennials
Plants that complete their lifecycle in two growing seasons and then
die. Germination takes place in the first growing season followed by
flowering, fruit set and seed production in the second growing season.
Perennials
Literally, plants that produce growth for at least three growing seasons -
and usually many more. The term Perennial includes everything from a
Heather to an Oak tree, but it is commonly used to describe plants that produce
new non woody growth during the Spring and Summer every year which then dies
back to ground level during the Winter (Herbaceous Plants). Herbaceous
plants last for many years.
Shrub
Woody plants that live for many years. Shrubs can be either Evergreen
(retain their leaves throughout the year) or Deciduous (lose their leaves in
the Winter).
Tree
Woody plants that live for many years. Trees can be either Evergreen
(retain their leaves throughout the year) or Deciduous (lose their leaves in
the Winter).
Alpine
Small low growing plants that live for many years. These plants are
generally from upland areas of the world (eg. the Alps) and are adapted to well
drained soils.
Heather
Generally low growing plants (though not as low as Alpines) that live for
many years. Heathers like acid (ericaceous) soils.
Herb
Culinary or medicinal plants, which may last for just one year or for many
years depending on the variety. Consult the label before you buy!
Herbaceous Plants
Plants that produce new non woody growth during the Spring and Summer every
year which then dies back to ground level during the Winter. Herbaceous
plants last for many years.
Seedlings
Plants raised from seed. Seedlings are not always absolutely identical
in characteristics to the parent plant - although they are very similar.
Think of a seedling like your own children.
Cuttings
Plants raised from cuttings. A cutting is typically a small piece of
stem cut from the parent plant, which is then made to produce its own roots and
which grows into a separate plant. Plants produced from cuttings are
identical in characteristics to the parent plant.
Potting Compost
Medium used in pots, tubs and baskets to plant up plants. You can use
garden soil in your pots and tubs, but it is better to use a potting compost,
which is often based on soil but which has been sieved, cleaned, steralised,
worms removed and has been enriched with fertilizer. Compost can also be
based on coco fibre or peat instead of soil.
Ericaceous
Ericaceous refers to soil acidity. Some plants, such as Rhododendrons
and Heathers need an acidic soil in order to survive. These plants are
known as Ericaceous plants and they require Ericaceous compost (acidic compost).
Pesticides
Chemicals used to get rid of garden pests. This term includes
Insecticides, Fungicides and animal control.
Insecticides
Chemicals to kill insects.
Fungicides
Chemicals to cure plant diseases.
Fertilizer
Food for plants.
Hazardous Plants
Click HERE to read
extracts from the latest Horticultural Trades Association report, including
lists of hazardous plants.
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