The Gardener's Dictionary
Gardening can be both an art and science, and understanding the terminology used in horticulture can make it a lot easier. Understanding these terms can significantly enhance your gardening experience. Let’s explore some commonly used garden terms that can help you better understand and care for these plants!
Annual- A plant whose lifecycle takes a year to complete, from seed, to flower, to spreading seed and drying. It will not reappear next year, unless new plants grow from the previous year’s seeds.
Acclimatization- Period of time where plants are adjusting to different conditions than those in which they had been growing.
Compost- Decomposed plant and organic material that enriches soil and boosts growth
Deciduous- Trees or shrubs that lose all of their leaves for part of the year.
Deer Resistant Plants- Plants that are considered rarely or seldom browsed by a deer. This does not mean that the plant is immune to grazing. Deer often eat anything if food is scarce.
Dormant- Your plant has stopped or slowed its growing process. Plants go into dormancy when they face adverse conditions that aren't ideal for growing. During dormancy, they strengthen their root systems and trunks.
Drip Irrigation- A method of controlled water delivery directly to the root zone of plants using a network of tubes, pipes, emitters, ensuring efficient water use.
Drought Tolerant-The ability of plants to withstand periods of water scarcity and continue to grow without significant damage. Plants will initially need to be watered while getting established.
Evergreen- Plants that retain their foliage throughout the year.
Foliage- Colorful leaves or greenery.
Frost date- it marks the last expected frost in spring and the first in fall, helping you know when to start and stop planting.
Full Shade- Plants with this qualification can be anywhere in your garden that receives less than 4 hours of direct sunlight per day.
Full Sun- When the plant product is going to need more than 6 hours of direct sunlight to grow and bloom.
Hardy- A plant that is able to withstand frost exposure without any means of protection.
Hardiness Zone- A geographically defined zone based on the lowest average temperature that each area is expected to receive during the winter. Categorized which plants can thrive where; hardiness zones are designed by a number (1-11). For more on Hardiness Zones, click here for our blog.
Hedge- Group of plants that are planted in rows to provide structure to a garden.
Horticulture- the art and science of growing plants with care and skill.
Horticulturist- A person who is trained in the science of plant cultivation for production and/or beauty. They specialize in plant propagation or breeding, genetic engineering, and plant health.
Organic Matter- Compost or similar materials derived from plant material.
Powdery Mildew- Fungal disease that affects a wide range of plants by creating a powder that is white to a gray color that covers the leaves. Solutions can include removing affected leaves, watering properly, applying a solution or using fungicides.
Mounding- Plants that grow in a rounded shape, filling space both up and out. They’re perfect for blending taller, upright plants with low, trailing ones in the garden.
Mulch- A layer of material, like wood chips or compost, spread around plants. It helps keep the soil moist, reduces weeds, protects roots, can make gardens more attractive, and acts as a blanket for your plants in the winter.
Native Plants- A species indigenous to a given region or ecosystem if its presence in that region is the result of only local natural evolution during history.
Partial Sun/Partial Shade- Plants with this qualification can be anywhere in your garden that receives between 4-6 hours of direct sunlight per day.
Perennial- Plants that last for several years. Perennials will survive winter and return with their new growth during the growing season.
Pet-Friendly- Plants that are very unlikely to be harmful or toxic to pets.
Pollinator- An animal, like bees, butterflies, or hummingbirds, that helps transfer pollen between flowers. Planting a mix of blooms can attract these helpful pollinators to your garden.
Pruning- The process of selectively removing dead or overgrown branches to help the plants stay healthy and grow better. It encourages new growth, shapes the plant, and can improve flowering or fruiting.
Root Rot- A plant disease where roots become mushy, brown, and unable to absorb nutrients or water properly. It happens when roots sit in overly wet soil for too long, often due to poor drainage or overwatering, allowing fungi or bacteria to thrive and damage the roots.
Shrub- Woody plants usually with multiple stems arising from their bases. Shrubs will not develop a bare trunk like a tree, however, some large shrubs can be pruned into tree-form by removing all but one straight main stem.
Soil- The foundation for plant growth. It’s a mix of minerals, organic matter, air, and water that provides essential nutrients and support to plants. Healthy soil is key to strong, thriving plants.
Species- A group of plants, smaller than a genus, that are similar and belong together, or have some shared quality.
Tolerance- Plant remains resilient against serious harm in growth or performance despite being exposed to stress.
Upright- Upright plants grow more vertically than horizontally, often with a spiky look. They’re ideal for background and mid-level landscaping.
Wilt- Happens when a plant loses more water than it absorbs, causing parts to droop. This can result from dry soil, intense heat, root damage, or diseases that block water movement in the stems.
Now go plant- you gardening expert you!