Balau A tropical hardwood timber often manufactured and used for decking boards.
Bract A specialized leaf growing just below a flower. They can be inconspicuous or showy and petal-like.
Coping stone A protective stone used to protect a wall from weather. It can also be used to give a decorative finish.
Ericaceous compost A lime-free compost used to promote the growth of acid-loving plants such as azalea, camellia and rhododendron.
Fish, blood and bone A slow-release general plant fertilizer, often organic.
Gabions Whicker or metal cages filled with earth or stone. They are used regularly in landscaping as a method of retaining slopes but can also be decorative.
Geotextile membrane A woven garden fabric most often used for weed control, ground stabilizing, drainage, filtration and tree-root protection.
Grazing lights Grazing is a term used to describe a light that is angled on a surface to accentuate texture.
Hardcore layer A layer of broken material used as the bottom layer of patio foundations.
Haunch A method of applying mortar to retain hard landscaping. Applied to kerbs, edging materials and so on.
Humus Decomposed organic matter from plant material for use as compost. Often found naturally as a soil layer in woodlands.
Joist beam Supporting beams used in decking to support boards.
Nematode Microscopic creatures, many of whose larvae feed on common garden pests without harming beneficial insects, worms or birds. Used as organic pest control.
Panicles A branched cluster of flowers, for example Buddleja.
Point A term used for filling the gaps between paving materials with mortar.
Portland cement The most common type of cement in use today.
Potager A kitchen garden of vegetables, herbs and fruits, laid out ornamentally.
Scalpings The chippings left over from stonework and sold for use in patio and path foundations.
Screed The final smooth coat used to render walling or concrete flooring.
Setts Cubes of landscape stone such as granite or sandstone used as paving material.
Solenoid valve A valve used in an automatic irrigation system to control the flow of water.
Stringers The side sections of a ladder step system used to support the step treads.
Tamp A term used to describe the packing down of patio foundations or concrete in order to knock out air.
Tanalised A term used for timber that has been preserved by impregnating it with chemicals applied under pressure.
Yorkstone A popular, traditional English sandstone used in garden landscaping.