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an·nu·al | \ ˈan-yə(-wə)l \
A plant that grows and blooms in one season and does not survive the winter. Annuals must be planted each year. Some annuals may be considered perennials in warmer locations.
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ˈber - ˈrüt
Dormant plants, trees, shrubs, and some perennials that are sold with little to no soil around the roots.
ˈbəlb
A resting stage of a plant that is usually formed underground and consists of a short stem base bearing one or more buds, that are enclosed in overlapping membranous or fleshy leaves.
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climb·er | \ ˈklī-mər \
Plants and vines that grow and climb fences, arbors, and other structures by using roots or stem structures to grip.
ˈkləmp - ˈfȯrm·ing
Plants that produce clumps of foliage and spread to form other clumps.
com·post | \ ˈkäm-ˌpōst \
An excellent fertilizer that can improve any soil. Compost is made of decomposed plants and other materials to form a soil-like substance and is high in organic matter.
ˈkȯrm
Corms are similar to bulbs but are missing the layered scales that characterize true bulbs. Corms reproduce by cormlets or individual corms, that can be divided away from the parent to produce exact copies of the plant.
crit·ter - re·sis·tant | \ ˈkri-tər - ri-ˈzi-stənt \
Plants that critters (i.e. deer, rabbits, moles, etc.) are less likely to graze on.
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dead·head | \ ˈded-ˌhed \
Removing old, spent blooms and seed heads from a plant to encourage extended blooming.
di·vide | \ də-ˈvīd \
A method of propagation that involves separating a perennial plant into two or more pieces to create more plants.
ˈdrau̇t - ri-ˈzi-stənt
Plants that can survive periods of little to no supplemental water when planted and established in the landscape. However, all plants need water while getting established.
ˈdrau̇t - ˈtä-lə-rənt
Plants that encounter severe drought regularly and recover from repeated wilting. However, all plants need water while getting established.
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ik-ˈspō-zhər
The amount of sun or shade a plant needs in order to grow and thrive.
ik-ˈsten-dəd - ˈblüms
Plants that flower for an extended period of time throughout the season.
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ˈfər-tə-ˌlīz
Adding supplemental nutrition to plants with either commercial or non commercial fertilizers or compost.
ˈfi-lər
Plants in a container that fill the middle area surrounded by the spillers and thrillers, making the container look full.
ˈfō-lē-ij - ˈplant
Plants that add color and texture to the landscape and do not produce blooms.
ˈfrȯst·ˈfrē - ˈdāt
The approximate date in spring when your area is no longer experiencing frost or freezing temperatures.
ˈfu̇l - ˈshād
Outdoor areas that receive 4 hours or less of direct sun each day.
ˈfu̇l - ˈsən
Outdoor areas that receive 6 hours or more of direct sun each day.
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ge·nus | \ ˈjē-nəs \
The first part of a plant's botanical name used to properly describe it.
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hab·it | \ ˈha-bət \
The general appearance of the plant, including size, shape, growth form and orientation. Habits range from climbing, clump forming, mounded, spreading, trailing, and upright.
hard·en - off | \ ˈhär-dᵊn - ˈȯf \
When a plant is introduced to cold temperatures in order to build up cold tolerance. The process can take several weeks.
ˈhär-dē-nəs - ˈzōn
Geographical zones based on the lowest average temperature each area receives during the winter. These zones determine whether plants are annuals or perennials in each area.
ˈhēt - ˈtä-lə-rənt
Plants that thrive in hot temperatures.
ˈhīt
The measurement at which a plant grows up to. Important when determining planting location.
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ˈmau̇nd·ed
Plants that appear rounded and are usually wider than they are tall.
ˈməlch | \ ˈməlsh \
Organic or inorganic substances that are added to the top of the soil around plants - often made of bark or compost. Mulch is used to help retain soil moisture, reduce the amount of weeds and erosion, helps cool the roots as well as protects against extreme winter conditions. Mulch also adds aesthetic qualities to garden beds and borders.
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nat·u·ral·iz·es - well | \ ˈna-ch(ə-)rə-ˌlīz-ez - ˈwel \
Native or non-native plants that can grow and sustain themselves in a new environment with little to no human intervention once established.
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over·win·ter | \ ˌō-vər-ˈwin-tər \
Taking a plant that is not cold hardy indoors during the winter months to keep it alive.
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par·tial - shade | \ ˈpär-shəl - ˈshād \
Outdoor areas that receive 4-6 hours of direct sun each day.
pe·ren·ni·al | \ pə-ˈre-nē-əl \
Plants that are cold hardy to a specific zone and will grow and return each spring. Some plants last for many years and some only survive a few.
p·h | \ ˈpē-ˈāch \
The measure of how acidic or basic your soil is.
ˈpinch
To pinch or remove a portion of the plant to encourage growth.
plant·ing - depth | \ ˈplan-tiŋ - ˈdepth \
The measurement of how deep flower bulbs or roots need to be placed in the ground. This is important for the growth of the plant.
plant - spac·ing | \ ˈplant - ˈspā-siŋ \
The distance needed between plants in a given area in order for the plants to thrive.
ˈprün
To use an instrument to cut, shape and revitalize shrubs, trees, and perennials.
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rhi·zome | \ ˈrī-ˌzōm \
A stem that grows and spreads underground, usually horizontally, just below the soil's surface. It has nodes and produces other stems that are normally straight up and above ground.
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self-clean·ing | \ ˌself-ˈklē-niŋ \
When a plant sheds spent blooms without human help.
soil - amend·ments | \ ˈsȯi(-ə)l - ə-ˈmen(d)-mənt \
Substances that are added to soil to improve its physical or chemical properties in order to promote healthy plant growth.
ˈspil·ər
In container planting, plants that are placed along the edge that trail or spill out of the pot creating a cascading effect.
ˈspred·iŋ
Low-growing plants that spread along the ground to cover an area.
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thrill·er | \ ˈthri-lər \
In container planting, plants that are placed in the center or back of the container adding a dramatic vertical element.
ˈtrāl·iŋ
Plants that trail out of pots or along the ground.
tu·ber | \ ˈtü-bər \
A short, fleshy, usually underground stem bearing minute scale leaves, each of which bears a bud in its axial and has the potential to produce a new plant.
tu·ber·ous - ˈrüt | \ ˈtü-b(ə-)rəs - ˈru̇t \
Usually form in clusters and may grow under the soil surface vertically. They can usually be divided every year or two to make more plants.
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up·right | \ ˈəp-ˌrīt \
Plants that grow taller than they are wide with simpler edges.
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var·ie·gat·ed - fo·liage | \ ˈver-ē-ə-ˌgā-təd - ˈfō-lē-ij \
Foliage that consists of different colors and patterns.
