Alkaline This is soil that has a pH level of more than 7; sometimes referred to as “sweet soil” by gardeners and farmers.
Alpine Plants that have adapted to growing in mountainous and rocky conditions.
Annual A plant that completes its lifecycle in one season.
Bedding plants These are often annuals and are suitable for growing in containers. They tend to be quick-growing and have colorful flowers.
Biennial A plant that completes its lifecycle in two seasons.
Bolt Cold-season annual plants that go to flower and seed when exposed to warm temperatures.
Bulb Plants that have underground, fleshy storage structures.
Bush A small shrub with no main stems.
Climbers Vine-like or rambling plants that will grow or creep on or over structures such as trellis.
Cloche A transparent cover used to protect plants, often in cold-weather conditions.
Coir Made from coconut husks, coir is an environmental replacement for peat moss, potting mix, and other mulches.
Creepers Plants that make long shoots and grow along the ground such as creeping fig or ivy.
Cut back Trimming a plant to encourage new growth.
Cutting A piece of a plant (whether a leaf, stem, root, or bud) that is cut from the parent plant to form a new plant.
Dead-heading The removal of faded flowers that have already bloomed; dead-heading promotes continued blooming.
Drainage Describes how water moves through the soil; all soils need good drainage to avoid plant rot.
Drill A shallow hole into which seed is sown.
Evergreen Refers to plants that keep their leaves all year round; occasionally leaves may die and fall.
Fertilizer The use of organic or inorganic plant foods, which may be in granule or liquid form, to improve the quality of soil for plant growth.
Frost The condensation and freezing of moisture in the air. Tender plants are at risk from frost and the accompanying cold temperatures.
Frost hardy Plants (usually evergreens) that are able to survive cold winter frosts without damage to their leaves.
Fungicide A chemical used to protect against, restrict, or kill plant diseases caused by fungi.
Germinate The beginnings of growth in seeds.
Hardy annual An annual plant that can withstand freezing temperatures.
Houseplants Plants that are grown and raised indoors in containers.
Insecticide A synthetic or organic chemical used to kill or repel insects.
Invasive Plants that spread quickly and crowd out other plants.
Organic Fertilizers and chemicals that have been derived from a source that is or has been alive.
Peat Remains of dead bog plants or moss that are rich in nutrients and retain water well.
Peat moss The remains of different mosses; can be used as a water-retentive addition to soil, but can alter the soil’s acidity.
Perennial A plant that lives for more than one season; often more than three years under normal conditions.
Perlite Volcanic rock granules that are mixed with potting soil to improve drainage and promote moisture retention.
Pesticide A substance used to control or kill pests such as insects and also weeds.
Pollination The transfer of pollen from the anther to the stigma; this results in the formation of the seed.
Potting mix Pre-packaged soil mixture that often contains sand, garden compost, and peat moss.
Pruning The process of cutting off leaves or branches to remove dead, damaged, or diseased foliage or branches.
Rootball The network of roots (including the soil) attached to a plant.
Root hormone A chemical in powder or liquid form, which is often used to encourage seedlings to take root.
Rust A reddish-brown discoloration on plants.
Seedling A young plant in the early stages of growing from seed.
Shrub A woody plant with a framework of branches and little or no central stem.
Sowing The scattering and planting of seeds.
Species A group of similar but individual plants that are bred together and have the same distinctive features.
Succulents Plants with leaves and/or stems that are thick, fleshy, and very watery. They often have waxy outer layers, allowing the plants to retain moisture well.
Sun-shade plants These are plants that grow best in a shaded area away from the sun.
Topiary The art of clipping and training woody plants such as box to form different shapes and patterns.
Trailing plants Those that grow long stems along the ground and often root as they go. Strawberries are a good example.
Variegated leaves These are leaves that are marked or mottled with different colors.
Water garden A man-made pool formed to grow and house aquatic plants.
Wildlife plants Herbaceous plants that grow and reproduce without help or cultivation from man.