Annual - A plant which grown from seed, will flower, set seed and die in one growing season.

Anther - The pollen bearing part of a stamen.

B

Bare Root Plants - A way of buying plants, usually roses or hedging. They are grown in a field and dug up for planting in the dormant season between November & March.

Bedding Plants - Plants that are planted out temporarily to provide a seasonal display.

Biennial - A plant that germinates & grows in one season, overwinters and then flowers in its second year of growth. Examples - Foxgloves, Carrots, Lettuce & Celery.

Biological Control - A way of reducing pests by introducing their natural enemy. Examples - Nematode predators to control vine weevil larvae & frogs to control slugs.

Blade - The flat part of a leaf or petal.

Bog Plant - A plant that lives in totally wet soil but not submerged under water.

Bolting - The premature formation of flowers and seeds.

Bonsai - The oriental art of growing miniature trees.

Bud - The undeveloped appendage or shoot containing immature leaves or flowers of a plant.

Bulb - A swollen underground bud formed from the plants scales or leaves. It allows the plant to survive the dormancy of winter.

C

Calyx - The cut shaped outer leaves (sepals) that surround an unopened flower bud.

Capillary Matting - An absorbent mat that retains water. Plants placed on top of capillary matting will absorb the water by capillary action.

Cellulose - The chemical compound, called a polysaccharide, that forms the skeletal structure of a plant cell wall.

Cloche - A mini portable greenhouse used for protecting plants from the winter.

Chlorophyll - Green pigments present in most plant cells, giving plants their characteristic green colour. They are able to convert the suns rays, carbon dioxide and water into energy to form carbohydrates.

Chloroplasts - The cell bodies that contain chlorophyll. The place where sugar is synthesized; an average leaf cell contains about 50 chloroplasts.

Compost - (1) The brown humus rich material produced by the rotting down of plants. (2) The mixture of peat, soil and sand in which pot plants are grown. Examples - John Innes & Levington.

Crop Covers - There are two types,
1) Horticultural Fleece. A lightweight porous material used for frost protection.
2) Insect Proof Netting/Mesh. Protects crops from insects and is well ventilated so it can be left on all the time.

D

Deadheading - Removing fading or dead flowers to encourage more flowers or to stop the plants energies being used for seed production.

E

Earthing Up - Drawing up soil around the stems of plants.

F

Fertiliser - Can be liquid or granular. A general fertiliser such as Growmore, has balanced amounts of nitrogen (for leaf growth), phosphates (for root developement) and potash (for flowers & fruit). Rose & Tomato fertiliser are very high in potash.

Foliar Feed - Plant food sprayed on to the leaves of plants to be absorbed directly.

G

Ground Cover Plants - Plants that carpet the ground with dense growth suppressing weeds.

H

Hardcore - A layer of broken up hard material such as rocks, brick or stone that is placed in the ground for foundations of walls and hard areas like paving.

Hardening Off - Acclimatising a plant to outdoor or colder conditions to which is used to.

Hardiness - A plants hardiness is categorised by its susceptibility to low temperatures. Plants that are hardy can tolerate frost. Tender and half hardy plants will not tolerate frost.

Herbaceous - Plants that produce soft woody growth. They die down in winter and grow again from basal shoots in spring.

Humus - The organic residue of decayed vegetable matter.

I

Irrigation - A labour saving technique for watering plants.

J

K

L

Leaf Mould - Composted leaves used as compost or mulch.

M

Manure - Organic animal & plant waste incorporated into the soil for nutrients.

Mowing Strip - A narrow path or edging around the lawn to eradicate lawn edging.

Mulch - An application of matter laid on top of the soil for weed control, winter protection or nutrients. Examples - Manure, Leaf Mould, Gravel, Bark Chippings and cocoa shells.

Mulch Matting - A purpose made product which is laid over the soil to suppress weeds usually covered with a mulch. Lets water through, blocks light.

N

O

Organic - (1) Made from materials that have once lived. (2) Carbon based chemical. (3) Producing crops without artificial chemicals & additives.

P

Perennial - Plants that die in winter and re-grow in Spring.

Pesticide - A chemical compound used to kill pests.

Pinching Out - Removing the growing tip of the stem to keep the plant compact.

Potting - The term used for putting plants in plant pots.

Potting On - Moving a plant into a larger pot than its original.

Potting Up - Placing a cutting or seedling in a plant pot.

Pressure Treated - Wood that has been chemically protected from water & decay.

Q

R

Repotting - Putting plant into the same size pot with fresh compost.

Residual Current Devices (RCD's) - An RCD is a safety device that switches off the electricity automatically when it detects an earth fault. Any socket-outlet that may be used for plugging in portable electrical equipment that is to be used outdoors, should have RCD protection.

Rootball - The mass of roots & compost visible when a plant is pulled from the ground or container.

Rotivator - A mechanical device for digging soil.

S

Seep Hose (or soaker hose)- A hose pipe with porous skin that seep water all along its length. Useful for watering dry beds.

Slow Release Fertiliser - Fertiliser that releases nutrients into the soil at a warm temperature. Can last all season.

Specimen Plant - (1) A single sculptural plant grown on its own as a focal point. (2) A large adult plant from a nursery.

Sucker - A shoot that arises from the ground at the base of the parent that can be removed and replanted.

T

Trug - A basket type carrying tool.

Truss - A cluster of fruit at the end of the stem. e.g. Tomatoes

Tuber - Applies to any plants with swollen, misshapen stems or roots that store food such as some types of orchids.

U

V

W

Weed Suppressing Membrane - See Mulch Matting above.

Windbreak - A hedge or fence or wall that protects plants from strong winds.

Winter Wash - An insecticide or fungicide that is applied to plants during the dormant season.

X

Y

Z