Garden Dictionary
Adaptable as a Houseplant - plants can be grown indoors through the winter and all year long.
Annual - a plant that grows flowers and produces seeds all in one season and then does not survive the winter. They must be planted each year. Many plants that we call annuals may be perennials in warmer locations.
Bare Root - these plants are usually trees and shrubs and are sold with little to no soil around the roots. Some perennials are sold as bare root plants.
Clay Soil - soil composed of many tiny plate-like soil particles that compact over time to form a hard, solid mass that makes shoveling difficult, digging holes more laborious and often results in poor drainage.
Climbing - plants that climb fences or other structures by using roots or stems to grip structures. Vines are climbing plants.
Adaptable as a Houseplant - plants can be grown indoors through the winter and all year long.
Annual - a plant that grows flowers and produces seeds all in one season and then does not survive the winter. They must be planted each year. Many plants that we call annuals may be perennials in warmer locations.
Bare Root - these plants are usually trees and shrubs and are sold with little to no soil around the roots. Some perennials are sold as bare root plants.
Clay Soil - soil composed of many tiny plate-like soil particles that compact over time to form a hard, solid mass that makes shoveling difficult, digging holes more laborious and often results in poor drainage.
Climbing - plants that climb fences or other structures by using roots or stems to grip structures. Vines are climbing plants.
Clump Forming - plants that form clumps of foliage that often form other clumps close together.
Cool-Season Grass - grass that grows more during the spring, before temperatures exceed 75 degrees Fahrenheit and in the fall when temperatures cool down again. They generally maintain their color through the summer but will not grow much when it is hot.
Compost - a soil like substance that consists of decomposed plants and other living materials which is high in organic matter, is an excellent fertilizer and is capable of improving almost any soil.
Container Plant Style - when a combination of plants are used in a single container. The plants are sometimes classified as thrillers, fillers and spillers to identify the role that each plant fulfills in the design combination.
Controlled Release Fertilizer - also called Time Release Fertilizer, comes in pellets, releases fertilizer based on soil temperature (not microbe action) and is an improved version of Slow Release Fertilizer.
Dappled Shade - areas where there is a mixture of sun and shade, generally where there are deciduous trees nearby. Dappled shade is similar to partial shade.
Dead-head - removing old blooms and seed heads from plants to help keep plants blooming longer.
Deciduous - trees or shrubs that lose their leaves in the fall and winter.
Deer Resistant Plants - plants that deer, rabbits, groundhogs and squirrels are less likely to nibble on, however if they are hungry they will eat almost anything. Deer tastes also vary by region so trial and error may be necessary to choose deer resistant plants for your area.
Drought Avoidance - plants that have developed storage capacity or other characteristics that enable them to survive drought without wilting, such as cacti and succulents.
Drought Resistant - plants that can withstand long periods with little to no water once they have been planted and are established in the landscape. Potted plants are not drought resistant; they will need to be watered. All plants will need to be watered while becoming established to the landscape. Annuals and perennials need 2 to 3 weeks and shrubs and trees need a year to become established.
Drought Tolerant - plants that deal with severe drought on a regular basis and recover from repeated wilting. All plants will need to be watered while becoming established. Annuals and perennials need 2 to 3 weeks and shrubs and trees need a year to become established.
Dry - plants that should only be watered when the soil is very dry. Plants that prefer dry conditions may be susceptible to root rot disease if kept too wet and they need little to no supplemental water once they have been planted and are established in the ground.
Dry-to-Normal - plants that should be watered when the top of the soil is dry to the touch but err on the side of dry rather than wet. While these plants will be more tolerant of moist conditions, however they do not like constantly moist soil. Dry-to-normal plants will need little to no supplemental water once they have been planted and are established in the ground.
EC - a measurement of how much salt is in your soil. Soils with a high EC can burn plants. Your soil may have a high EC from exposure to salt water or from the salt related to snow removal. A low EC means you need to fertilize, fertilizer is essentially made up of different types of salts that are good for your plants, although too much fertilizer can be harmful to plants.
End of the Hose Plants - a plant that is generally tough and needs little watering or maintenance. End of the hose plants are great for the far corners of the garden where the hose does not reach.
Exposure - the optimum amount of sun or shade each plant needs to thrive
Full Sun - 6 or more hours of direct sun a day
Partial Sun or Partial Shade - 4 to 6 hours of direct sun a day
Full Shade - less than 4 hours of direct sun a day
Dappled Shade - areas where there is a mixture of sun and shade, generally where there are deciduous trees nearby. Dappled shade is similar to partial shade.
Evergreen Grass - plants that look like grass but they are not actually classified as a grass. Examples included sedges and carex.
Fertilizing - adding nutrition to your plants by using either commercial or non-commercial fertilizers or compost.
Controlled Release Fertilizer - also called Time Release Fertilizer, comes in pellets, releases fertilizer based on soil temperature (not microbe action) and is an improved version of Slow Release Fertilizer.
Heavy Feeders - plants that need a lot of fertilizer for optimal performance and regular applications of fertilizer are necessary for continued performance.
Light Feeders - plants that do not need a lot of fertilizer for optimal performance and over feeding light feeders can cause toxicity.
N-P-K - the ratio of Nitrogen to Phosphorous to Potassium in a fertilizer, these are the main nutrients required by plants.
Slow Release Fertilizer - fertilizer that comes in pellets and is slowly released based on microbe activity. Microbes are more or less active based on soil temperatures.
Time Release Fertilizer - also called Controlled Release Fertilizer, comes in pellets, releases fertilizer based on soil temperature (not microbe action) and is an improved, more exact version of Slow Release Fertilizer.
Trace Elements - are nutrients that plants need in small amounts. Common trace elements include Boron, Copper, Iron, Manganese, Molybdenum and Zinc, which are included in most commercial fertilizers.
Water Soluble Fertilizer - fertilizer that comes in a liquid or a crystal form that needs to be dissolved in water.
Fillers - plants that fill in the middle area of a container, connecting the spillers and thriller, making the container look full.
Frost-Free Dates - average date in spring when your area no longer experiences frost and the average date in fall when your area experiences the first frost. It is important to know both spring and fall frost dates to determine when to plant and the length of the growing season.
Full Shade - less than 4 hours of direct sun a day
Full Sun - 6 or more hours of direct sun a day
Genera - the plural form of genus, see below. It is used when referring to more than one plant genus. For example, "The Petunia and Verbena genera have great garden applications."
Genus - the first part of the two-part scientific name that is used for plants.
Habit - the general structure of the plant.
Climbing - plants that climb fences or other structures by using roots or stems to grip structures. Vines are climbing plants.
Clump Forming - plants that form clumps of foliage that often form other clumps close together.
Mounded - plants with a rounded appearance, they are usually more wide than they are tall.
Spreading - plants that grow low and spread along the ground, rooting at nodes along the stem.
Trailing - plants that trail along the ground or out of pots but do not root at nodes along the stem.
Upright - a plant that is taller than it is wide, with semi straight edges and somewhat of a spiky appearance.
"Haircut" - use a sharp pair of scissors or shears to cut an even amount off branches and all other parts of the plant. If there are longer pieces trailing or sticking out, these would be trimmed back even more so the plant is even. Haircuts give plants a neat appearance and encourage branching.
Harden Off - a process which gradually introduces a plant to cold temperatures, giving it a chance to build a tolerance. Plants are naturally hardened off in the fall as temperatures grow colder. Hardening off is often used to acclimate greenhouse grown plants to cooler outdoor temperatures in spring, this process generally takes several weeks.
Hardiness Zones - are based on the lowest average temperature each area is expected to receive during the winter and are used to determine whether a plant is likely to be a perennial in your area.
Headspace - the space left between the top of the soil and the top of the container. This space helps keep soil from washing out and channels the water into the container when watering. Without headspace water can easily pour out from the top of the container.
Heat Tolerant - plants that flourish despite hot temperatures.
Heavy Feeders - plants that need a lot of fertilizer for optimal performance and regular applications of fertilizer are necessary for continued performance.
Height: Medium - plants that are between 10 and 24 inches in height. They are often used in the center or between the tall and short plants in a mixed bed or to fill-in containers.
Height: Short - plants that are 10 inches or less in height. They are often used in the front of mixed beds or around the edges of containers.
Height: Tall - plants that are 24 inches or more in height. They are often used at the back of mixed beds or in the center of containers.
Lawn Substitute - plants that can take light foot traffic and may be used as a substitute for "normal" lawn grasses. While these plants cannot tolerate heavy foot traffic, they will work in some areas.
Light Feeders - plants that do not need a lot of fertilizer for optimal performance and over feeding light feeders can cause toxicity.
Microclimate - a spot within a garden that differs from the general environment. Some examples are a wet spot where water collects during rain, a spot that remains warmer in the winter, or is sheltered from the wind- often due to a structure, and a spot that is affected by ocean salt spray.
Mounded - plants with a rounded appearance, they are usually more wide than they are tall.
Mulch - a substance applied to the top of the soil around plants. It can be organic or inorganic and may serve several different purposes. Mulch is often made of bark or compost and helps retain soil moisture, decrease weeds, reduce erosion, cool plant roots, add organic matter, increase the attractiveness of the landscape and protect plants from adverse winter conditions.
N-P-K - the ratio of Nitrogen to Phosphorous to Potassium in a fertilizer, these are the main nutrients required by plants.
Needs Good Drainage - these plants do not do well if they remain wet for extended periods of time and should be planted in locations or in containers where water quickly drains.
Normal - potted plants should be watered when the top of the soil is dry to the touch and normal in ground plants will need some supplemental water if there is an extended dry spell, but will not need constant watering.
Normal-to-Wet - plants that should be watered when the top of the soil is dry to the touch but err on the side of wet rather than dry. Plants that like normal-to-wet conditions prefer the soil be constantly moist and they will not tolerate dry soils. These plants do the best when planted around pond edges. For in ground plants you will need to provide an inch of water each week if Mother Nature does not do it for you.
Over-wintering - is a process where a plant that is not cold hardy are taken indoors or otherwise manipulated to keep it alive through the winter
Partial Sun or Partial Shade - 4 to 6 hours of direct sun a day
Perennials - plants that are cold hardy and will return again each spring. Some perennials flower the first year they are planted, others will need to mature before flowering and some are long lived, others will survive only a few years.
Pet Friendly - plants that will most likely not harm pets.
pH - a measurement of the acidity or basic level of the soil. A pH of 7 is considered neutral, acidic soils have a pH less than 7, and basic soils have a pH greater than 7. Most plants prefer a pH between 6 and 7 and some plants, called acid loving plants (azalea, camellia, citrus), prefer a pH between 5 and 7. It is important to know the pH of the soil and the pH tolerance of your plants because some do not like soils that are too acidic or too basic.
Pinch - removing portions of the plant, often just the very tip of the shoots, to encourage branching. This is done by using your finger nails to pinch off the newest growth but scissors, pruning shears or knifes can also be used.
Prune - using pruning shears, scissors, knife or loppers to shape or rejuvenate a plant, not for the purpose to increase branching. Pruning is much more drastic than pinching and is more commonly done on shrubs, trees and perennials.
Root Bound - a plant that has been in a pot for a long time and may have roots that circle around the edges of the pot. These roots may not grow out into the soil, therefore to encourage good root growth cut or break up the roots to separate them.
Root Rot - a fungal disease that causes plant roots to turn brown, gray and/or slimy. Root rot impairs the plants ability to take up water and will often kill plants that are infected. Root rot is often caused by chronic overwatering the best way to tell if your plants are infected is if the plant is wilting even though the soil is wet.
Sandy Soil - is composed of many irregular to rounded tiny grains of sand, as opposed to the tiny plate-like soil particles that make up clay soil. Sandy soil drains very quickly and does not hold onto fertilizer well.
Saturation - is when the entire root zone of a plant is moist after watering.
Scorch - when plants receive too much sun, pesticides or fertilizer that the foliage may look brown or yellowish. The foliage in these cases is said to be scorched.
Self-cleaning - a term used when a plant sheds old blooms without human help. This is not the same as dead-heading which involves removing seed heads to prevent seed set.
Slow Release Fertilizer - fertilizer that comes in pellets and is slowly released based on microbe activity which is based on soil temperatures.
Spillers - plants placed along the edge of a combination container to spill or trail out of the pot.
Spreading - plants that grow low and spread along the ground, rooting at nodes along the stem.
Supplemental Water - water added to plants using soaker hoses, drip irrigation or other non-natural means.
Tender Perennials - plants that are perennials in warm locations but are often treated as annuals in cold climates or they may be considered house plants.
Thrillers - plants that are placed in the center or back of a combination planter to add drama and height to a combination.
Time Release Fertilizer - also called Controlled Release Fertilizer, comes in pellets, releases fertilizer based on soil temperature (not microbe action) and is an improved version of Slow Release Fertilizer.
Toxicity - when a plant does not react well to too much fertilizer, sun or insecticides.
Topsoil - the uppermost layer of soil that varies in depth from less than a foot deep to as little as 2 inches deep.
Trace Elements - are nutrients that plants need in small amounts. Common trace elements include Boron, Copper, Iron, Manganese, Molybdenum and Zinc, which are included in most commercial fertilizers.
Trailing - plants that trail along the ground or out of pots but do not root at nodes along the stem.
Upright - a plant that is taller than it is wide, with semi straight edges, and somewhat of a spiky appearance.
Variegated Foliage- is foliage that has alternating, sometimes random, color patterns.
Warm-season Grass - do not start growing until mid to late spring or even early summer. They grow and flower the most when the weather is hot and they will usually turn shades of brown in the winter.
Watering - how much water a plant needs depends on the type of plant and they generally fall into five categories. These categories are most relevant to plants in containers but can also apply to in ground plants.
Dry - plants that should only be watered when the soil is very dry. Plants that prefer dry conditions may be susceptible to root rot disease if kept too wet and they need little to no supplemental water once they have been planted and are established in the ground.
Dry-to-Normal - plants that should be watered when the top of the soil is dry to the touch but err on the side of dry rather than wet. While these plants will be more tolerant of moist conditions than dry plants, they still do not like constantly moist soil. Dry-to-normal plants will need little to no supplemental water once they have been planted and are established in the ground.
Normal - potted plants should be watered when the top of the soil is dry to the touch and normal in ground plants will need some supplemental water if there is an extended dry spell, but will not need constant watering.
Normal-to-Wet - plants that should be watered when the top of the soil is dry to the touch but err on the side of wet rather than dry. Plants that like normal to wet conditions prefer the soil be constantly moist and they will not tolerate dry soils. These plants do the best when planted around pond edges. For in ground plants you will need to provide an inch of water each week if Mother Nature does not do it for you.
Wet - plants that need constantly moist to wet soil. These plants also do well planted around pond edges. They do not tolerate dry soils.
Water Plant - plants that can grow around pond edges or in ponds or streams.
Water Soluble Fertilizer - fertilizer that comes in a liquid or a crystal form that needs to be dissolved in water.
Water Wise - a plant that does well in a landscape that manages water using moisture zones other aspects that include mulching and reduction of turf or grass.
Wet - plants that need constantly moist to wet soil. These plants also do well planted around pond edges. They do not tolerate dry soils.
Wet Feet - is when the soil in a container or the landscape stays wet and the plants that inhabit that soil are referred to as having wet feet. Plant roots that do not like to be constantly wet, do not like having wet feet and plant roots that do not mind being constantly wet, like having wet feet.
Xeriscape - a landscape style that has drought-resistant plants to help conserve water.
- First Published By www.provenwinners.com
Cool-Season Grass - grass that grows more during the spring, before temperatures exceed 75 degrees Fahrenheit and in the fall when temperatures cool down again. They generally maintain their color through the summer but will not grow much when it is hot.
Compost - a soil like substance that consists of decomposed plants and other living materials which is high in organic matter, is an excellent fertilizer and is capable of improving almost any soil.
Container Plant Style - when a combination of plants are used in a single container. The plants are sometimes classified as thrillers, fillers and spillers to identify the role that each plant fulfills in the design combination.
Controlled Release Fertilizer - also called Time Release Fertilizer, comes in pellets, releases fertilizer based on soil temperature (not microbe action) and is an improved version of Slow Release Fertilizer.
Dappled Shade - areas where there is a mixture of sun and shade, generally where there are deciduous trees nearby. Dappled shade is similar to partial shade.
Dead-head - removing old blooms and seed heads from plants to help keep plants blooming longer.
Deciduous - trees or shrubs that lose their leaves in the fall and winter.
Deer Resistant Plants - plants that deer, rabbits, groundhogs and squirrels are less likely to nibble on, however if they are hungry they will eat almost anything. Deer tastes also vary by region so trial and error may be necessary to choose deer resistant plants for your area.
Drought Avoidance - plants that have developed storage capacity or other characteristics that enable them to survive drought without wilting, such as cacti and succulents.
Drought Resistant - plants that can withstand long periods with little to no water once they have been planted and are established in the landscape. Potted plants are not drought resistant; they will need to be watered. All plants will need to be watered while becoming established to the landscape. Annuals and perennials need 2 to 3 weeks and shrubs and trees need a year to become established.
Drought Tolerant - plants that deal with severe drought on a regular basis and recover from repeated wilting. All plants will need to be watered while becoming established. Annuals and perennials need 2 to 3 weeks and shrubs and trees need a year to become established.
Dry - plants that should only be watered when the soil is very dry. Plants that prefer dry conditions may be susceptible to root rot disease if kept too wet and they need little to no supplemental water once they have been planted and are established in the ground.
Dry-to-Normal - plants that should be watered when the top of the soil is dry to the touch but err on the side of dry rather than wet. While these plants will be more tolerant of moist conditions, however they do not like constantly moist soil. Dry-to-normal plants will need little to no supplemental water once they have been planted and are established in the ground.
EC - a measurement of how much salt is in your soil. Soils with a high EC can burn plants. Your soil may have a high EC from exposure to salt water or from the salt related to snow removal. A low EC means you need to fertilize, fertilizer is essentially made up of different types of salts that are good for your plants, although too much fertilizer can be harmful to plants.
End of the Hose Plants - a plant that is generally tough and needs little watering or maintenance. End of the hose plants are great for the far corners of the garden where the hose does not reach.
Exposure - the optimum amount of sun or shade each plant needs to thrive
Full Sun - 6 or more hours of direct sun a day
Partial Sun or Partial Shade - 4 to 6 hours of direct sun a day
Full Shade - less than 4 hours of direct sun a day
Dappled Shade - areas where there is a mixture of sun and shade, generally where there are deciduous trees nearby. Dappled shade is similar to partial shade.
Evergreen Grass - plants that look like grass but they are not actually classified as a grass. Examples included sedges and carex.
Fertilizing - adding nutrition to your plants by using either commercial or non-commercial fertilizers or compost.
Controlled Release Fertilizer - also called Time Release Fertilizer, comes in pellets, releases fertilizer based on soil temperature (not microbe action) and is an improved version of Slow Release Fertilizer.
Heavy Feeders - plants that need a lot of fertilizer for optimal performance and regular applications of fertilizer are necessary for continued performance.
Light Feeders - plants that do not need a lot of fertilizer for optimal performance and over feeding light feeders can cause toxicity.
N-P-K - the ratio of Nitrogen to Phosphorous to Potassium in a fertilizer, these are the main nutrients required by plants.
Slow Release Fertilizer - fertilizer that comes in pellets and is slowly released based on microbe activity. Microbes are more or less active based on soil temperatures.
Time Release Fertilizer - also called Controlled Release Fertilizer, comes in pellets, releases fertilizer based on soil temperature (not microbe action) and is an improved, more exact version of Slow Release Fertilizer.
Trace Elements - are nutrients that plants need in small amounts. Common trace elements include Boron, Copper, Iron, Manganese, Molybdenum and Zinc, which are included in most commercial fertilizers.
Water Soluble Fertilizer - fertilizer that comes in a liquid or a crystal form that needs to be dissolved in water.
Fillers - plants that fill in the middle area of a container, connecting the spillers and thriller, making the container look full.
Frost-Free Dates - average date in spring when your area no longer experiences frost and the average date in fall when your area experiences the first frost. It is important to know both spring and fall frost dates to determine when to plant and the length of the growing season.
Full Shade - less than 4 hours of direct sun a day
Full Sun - 6 or more hours of direct sun a day
Genera - the plural form of genus, see below. It is used when referring to more than one plant genus. For example, "The Petunia and Verbena genera have great garden applications."
Genus - the first part of the two-part scientific name that is used for plants.
Habit - the general structure of the plant.
Climbing - plants that climb fences or other structures by using roots or stems to grip structures. Vines are climbing plants.
Clump Forming - plants that form clumps of foliage that often form other clumps close together.
Mounded - plants with a rounded appearance, they are usually more wide than they are tall.
Spreading - plants that grow low and spread along the ground, rooting at nodes along the stem.
Trailing - plants that trail along the ground or out of pots but do not root at nodes along the stem.
Upright - a plant that is taller than it is wide, with semi straight edges and somewhat of a spiky appearance.
"Haircut" - use a sharp pair of scissors or shears to cut an even amount off branches and all other parts of the plant. If there are longer pieces trailing or sticking out, these would be trimmed back even more so the plant is even. Haircuts give plants a neat appearance and encourage branching.
Harden Off - a process which gradually introduces a plant to cold temperatures, giving it a chance to build a tolerance. Plants are naturally hardened off in the fall as temperatures grow colder. Hardening off is often used to acclimate greenhouse grown plants to cooler outdoor temperatures in spring, this process generally takes several weeks.
Hardiness Zones - are based on the lowest average temperature each area is expected to receive during the winter and are used to determine whether a plant is likely to be a perennial in your area.
Headspace - the space left between the top of the soil and the top of the container. This space helps keep soil from washing out and channels the water into the container when watering. Without headspace water can easily pour out from the top of the container.
Heat Tolerant - plants that flourish despite hot temperatures.
Heavy Feeders - plants that need a lot of fertilizer for optimal performance and regular applications of fertilizer are necessary for continued performance.
Height: Medium - plants that are between 10 and 24 inches in height. They are often used in the center or between the tall and short plants in a mixed bed or to fill-in containers.
Height: Short - plants that are 10 inches or less in height. They are often used in the front of mixed beds or around the edges of containers.
Height: Tall - plants that are 24 inches or more in height. They are often used at the back of mixed beds or in the center of containers.
Lawn Substitute - plants that can take light foot traffic and may be used as a substitute for "normal" lawn grasses. While these plants cannot tolerate heavy foot traffic, they will work in some areas.
Light Feeders - plants that do not need a lot of fertilizer for optimal performance and over feeding light feeders can cause toxicity.
Microclimate - a spot within a garden that differs from the general environment. Some examples are a wet spot where water collects during rain, a spot that remains warmer in the winter, or is sheltered from the wind- often due to a structure, and a spot that is affected by ocean salt spray.
Mounded - plants with a rounded appearance, they are usually more wide than they are tall.
Mulch - a substance applied to the top of the soil around plants. It can be organic or inorganic and may serve several different purposes. Mulch is often made of bark or compost and helps retain soil moisture, decrease weeds, reduce erosion, cool plant roots, add organic matter, increase the attractiveness of the landscape and protect plants from adverse winter conditions.
N-P-K - the ratio of Nitrogen to Phosphorous to Potassium in a fertilizer, these are the main nutrients required by plants.
Needs Good Drainage - these plants do not do well if they remain wet for extended periods of time and should be planted in locations or in containers where water quickly drains.
Normal - potted plants should be watered when the top of the soil is dry to the touch and normal in ground plants will need some supplemental water if there is an extended dry spell, but will not need constant watering.
Normal-to-Wet - plants that should be watered when the top of the soil is dry to the touch but err on the side of wet rather than dry. Plants that like normal-to-wet conditions prefer the soil be constantly moist and they will not tolerate dry soils. These plants do the best when planted around pond edges. For in ground plants you will need to provide an inch of water each week if Mother Nature does not do it for you.
Over-wintering - is a process where a plant that is not cold hardy are taken indoors or otherwise manipulated to keep it alive through the winter
Partial Sun or Partial Shade - 4 to 6 hours of direct sun a day
Perennials - plants that are cold hardy and will return again each spring. Some perennials flower the first year they are planted, others will need to mature before flowering and some are long lived, others will survive only a few years.
Pet Friendly - plants that will most likely not harm pets.
pH - a measurement of the acidity or basic level of the soil. A pH of 7 is considered neutral, acidic soils have a pH less than 7, and basic soils have a pH greater than 7. Most plants prefer a pH between 6 and 7 and some plants, called acid loving plants (azalea, camellia, citrus), prefer a pH between 5 and 7. It is important to know the pH of the soil and the pH tolerance of your plants because some do not like soils that are too acidic or too basic.
Pinch - removing portions of the plant, often just the very tip of the shoots, to encourage branching. This is done by using your finger nails to pinch off the newest growth but scissors, pruning shears or knifes can also be used.
Prune - using pruning shears, scissors, knife or loppers to shape or rejuvenate a plant, not for the purpose to increase branching. Pruning is much more drastic than pinching and is more commonly done on shrubs, trees and perennials.
Root Bound - a plant that has been in a pot for a long time and may have roots that circle around the edges of the pot. These roots may not grow out into the soil, therefore to encourage good root growth cut or break up the roots to separate them.
Root Rot - a fungal disease that causes plant roots to turn brown, gray and/or slimy. Root rot impairs the plants ability to take up water and will often kill plants that are infected. Root rot is often caused by chronic overwatering the best way to tell if your plants are infected is if the plant is wilting even though the soil is wet.
Sandy Soil - is composed of many irregular to rounded tiny grains of sand, as opposed to the tiny plate-like soil particles that make up clay soil. Sandy soil drains very quickly and does not hold onto fertilizer well.
Saturation - is when the entire root zone of a plant is moist after watering.
Scorch - when plants receive too much sun, pesticides or fertilizer that the foliage may look brown or yellowish. The foliage in these cases is said to be scorched.
Self-cleaning - a term used when a plant sheds old blooms without human help. This is not the same as dead-heading which involves removing seed heads to prevent seed set.
Slow Release Fertilizer - fertilizer that comes in pellets and is slowly released based on microbe activity which is based on soil temperatures.
Spillers - plants placed along the edge of a combination container to spill or trail out of the pot.
Spreading - plants that grow low and spread along the ground, rooting at nodes along the stem.
Supplemental Water - water added to plants using soaker hoses, drip irrigation or other non-natural means.
Tender Perennials - plants that are perennials in warm locations but are often treated as annuals in cold climates or they may be considered house plants.
Thrillers - plants that are placed in the center or back of a combination planter to add drama and height to a combination.
Time Release Fertilizer - also called Controlled Release Fertilizer, comes in pellets, releases fertilizer based on soil temperature (not microbe action) and is an improved version of Slow Release Fertilizer.
Toxicity - when a plant does not react well to too much fertilizer, sun or insecticides.
Topsoil - the uppermost layer of soil that varies in depth from less than a foot deep to as little as 2 inches deep.
Trace Elements - are nutrients that plants need in small amounts. Common trace elements include Boron, Copper, Iron, Manganese, Molybdenum and Zinc, which are included in most commercial fertilizers.
Trailing - plants that trail along the ground or out of pots but do not root at nodes along the stem.
Upright - a plant that is taller than it is wide, with semi straight edges, and somewhat of a spiky appearance.
Variegated Foliage- is foliage that has alternating, sometimes random, color patterns.
Warm-season Grass - do not start growing until mid to late spring or even early summer. They grow and flower the most when the weather is hot and they will usually turn shades of brown in the winter.
Watering - how much water a plant needs depends on the type of plant and they generally fall into five categories. These categories are most relevant to plants in containers but can also apply to in ground plants.
Dry - plants that should only be watered when the soil is very dry. Plants that prefer dry conditions may be susceptible to root rot disease if kept too wet and they need little to no supplemental water once they have been planted and are established in the ground.
Dry-to-Normal - plants that should be watered when the top of the soil is dry to the touch but err on the side of dry rather than wet. While these plants will be more tolerant of moist conditions than dry plants, they still do not like constantly moist soil. Dry-to-normal plants will need little to no supplemental water once they have been planted and are established in the ground.
Normal - potted plants should be watered when the top of the soil is dry to the touch and normal in ground plants will need some supplemental water if there is an extended dry spell, but will not need constant watering.
Normal-to-Wet - plants that should be watered when the top of the soil is dry to the touch but err on the side of wet rather than dry. Plants that like normal to wet conditions prefer the soil be constantly moist and they will not tolerate dry soils. These plants do the best when planted around pond edges. For in ground plants you will need to provide an inch of water each week if Mother Nature does not do it for you.
Wet - plants that need constantly moist to wet soil. These plants also do well planted around pond edges. They do not tolerate dry soils.
Water Plant - plants that can grow around pond edges or in ponds or streams.
Water Soluble Fertilizer - fertilizer that comes in a liquid or a crystal form that needs to be dissolved in water.
Water Wise - a plant that does well in a landscape that manages water using moisture zones other aspects that include mulching and reduction of turf or grass.
Wet - plants that need constantly moist to wet soil. These plants also do well planted around pond edges. They do not tolerate dry soils.
Wet Feet - is when the soil in a container or the landscape stays wet and the plants that inhabit that soil are referred to as having wet feet. Plant roots that do not like to be constantly wet, do not like having wet feet and plant roots that do not mind being constantly wet, like having wet feet.
Xeriscape - a landscape style that has drought-resistant plants to help conserve water.
- First Published By www.provenwinners.com
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