Plant Gardens 101

England’s annual extravaganza. If not the world’s largest flower show, it is certainly the most famous. Held each spring in London.

An evergreen tree or shrub that is not a conifer.

The botanical name for jack-in-the-pulpit.

As a species name, means “producing tubers.” For example, butterfly weed, Asclepias tuberosa, develops a very thick tuberous root.

See mite.

An underground stem with eyes (buds) for next season’s growth and with roots. Also called a rhizome. “Rootstock” is also a term for the underground base stock on which a desirable variety is grafted, as in rose and fruit culture. In this case, it is also called an understock.

The study of the distribution of plants.

Any of several moths whose larvae make nests of rolled leaves and silk.

A stem, especially of grasses, that is usually hollow except at the nodes. Bamboo is a good example.

Shrubby; resembling a shrub.

A tender shrub that can be grown in cold climates. It freezes to the ground in winter but sends up new shoots in spring.

A chemical product, of either mineral or synthetic origin, that provides nutrients to stimulate plant growth.

To distribute seeds or fertilizer evenly over an area, not in rows.

A caterpillar that chews on grass blades, leaving bare spots in the lawn.

A vine that climbs by wrapping its stem around a support. Twining vines can actually damage or strangle trees.