A is for Adventitious root
A dventitious root ad·ven·ti·tious /ˌadvenˈtiSHəs/ A root growing from a plant’s stem or leaf rather than underground. An example of an adventitious root is an aerial root that a plant uses to enable...
View ArticleB is for Blanching
Blanching verb: blanch /blanCH/ The technique used to exclude light from a plant to reduce chlorophyll. Examples include earthing up potatoes and asparagus, deep planting leeks and covering with...
View ArticleWord up! D is for Drupe (Gardening Glossary A to Z)
Drupe drupe noun \ˈdrüp\ A fruit with a stone that protects the seed and a fleshy protective layer enclosed in an outer skin, for example a peach or apricot.
View ArticleWord up! E is for Ericaceous
Ericaceous ericaceous [ˌɛrɪˈkeɪʃəs] adj Lime-hating plants that need acid soil with a pH of 6.5 or lower, for example Camelia and Blueberry.
View ArticleWord up! F for Fan-trained
Fan-trained A method of training plants against a wall or on wires to achieve a fan like effect. There are a wide range of fruits that can be fan-trained, including almonds, apples, cherries, figs,...
View ArticleWord up! G for Green Manure
Green Manure To improve the fertility of the soil by ploughing in cover crops while green. Picture by kind permission of Victoriana Nursery Gardens
View ArticleWord up! H is for Honey Fungus
Honey Fungus Honey fungus lives in dead and decaying roots, tree stumps and other woody items in the soil. It grows out from these in the form of black root-like rhizomorphs (‘bootlaces’). There are...
View ArticleWord up! I is for Interplanting
Interplanting The practice of planting two or more plants that bloom at different times or which have complementary characteristics, to create year-round interest in the garden. Lavendula interplanted...
View ArticleWord up! K is for Keel: Sow and So garden glossary
Keel Of leguminous flowers (for example Lupin, Wisteria, Laburnum), the two bottom petals are fused together at the apex (remaining free at the base), forming a boat-like structure called the keel....
View ArticleWord up! L is for Lateral
Lateral A bud arising in the leaf axil at a node in the stem, which will develop into a side shoot. Section of Buddleia showing a lateral
View ArticleWord up! M is for Monocot
Monocot The flowering plant world is divided into monocots and dicots. In other words, plants which possess one cotyledon in their seed and those which possess two. Monocots produce a single leaf from...
View ArticleWord up! N is for Nap
Nap A lawn surface, especially one which is flattened to lie in one direction, exploited by mowers giving the formal, neat appearance of stripes that lasts for a few days afterwards.
View ArticleWord up! O is for Ovary (…the botanical kind)
Ovary The female part of a plant contained in the flower. The ovary holds the ovules which, once fertilised, develop into seeds. There are generally two positions within the flower: Inferior...
View ArticleWord up! P is for Palmate
Palmate /ˈpalˌmāt/ A leaf divided into many lobes of the same shape, which usually emanate from one point at the end of a leaf stalk or petiole, for example Helleborous Foetidus (Stinking Hellebore)...
View ArticleWord up! R is for RUGOSE
Rugose /ˈro͞oˌgōs/ Refers to leaves that have a wrinkled or puckered appearance, for example Rosa Rugosa.
View ArticleWord up! S is for SPIT
Spit \ˈspit\ The depth of a spade or fork – usually 10″ to 12″ or 25cm to 30cm.
View ArticleWord Up! T is for Top Dress
Top dress The practice of improving the soil by adding a layer of fertiliser to the surface and allowing it to settle in without digging it over. Covering the the bed with compost and leaving the...
View ArticleWord Up! U is for UMBEL
Umbel [uhm-buhl] An inflorescence where all the flower stalks arise from the same point usually at the tip and are of similar length, for example Cow Parsley. Other examples of UMBELLIFERS are Sweet...
View ArticleWord Up! V is for VERMICULITE
Vermiculite [ver-mik-yuh-lahyt] A mineral that forms spongy, lightweight kernels which enable the soil to hold more water. Useful in the prevention of soil compaction. Also used as a medium in which...
View ArticleWord up! W is for Weeping
Weeping /ˈwēpiNG/ A term used to describe the pendulous habit of certain plants. It may be a natural occurrence (willow, birch and larch), or as the result of careful pruning and training for example...
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