Landscaping 101

Lesson 1: Why Landscaping is Important

Common Terms

Terms and definitions. As in all disciplines, there are certain terms that you should become familiar with as they will come up time and time again. Some of you may already be comfortable with these terms, so feel free to skip this section. Others who are just beginning their journey into the realm of landscaping may want to keep this list handy.

Accent: Can also be called a focal point. This can be a plant or structure that is used to draw your attention to a particular spot in the landscape. Using an accent can add also add the illusion of depth.

Annual: A plant that completes its life cycle in one growing season.

B&B: Balled and burlap, a method in which some plants (usually larger trees and shrubs) are sold where the roots have been lifted and wrapped in burlap.

Bareroot A bare root plant is lifted from the soil when it is dormant (not actively growing) and all the dirt is removed from the root system. The roots may be wrapped in newspaper or a mulching medium.

Berm: A landscaping technique that is made by creating a mound of dirt. It can be used to create interest, privacy or screening and it may also divert water run-off.

Biennial: A plant that needs two seasons of growth, with a dormant period in between the growing stages. In the first year the plants form vegetative growth and they flower in the second year.

Botanical Name: The scientific names of plants. There is only one botanical name per plant. If you are looking for a specific plant make sure you are verifying it by the botanical name.

Common Name: A name given to a plant that has no scientific standing. The same common name can apply to more than one plant.

Deciduous: Plants that shed leaves at the end of the growing season.

Drainage: How water moves through and over the soil. This is an important factor for most plants and gardens. Water should move through the soil whether in a garden or in a container somewhat easily.

Dripline: The imaginary line under the tips of the canopy of a tree and also on a roof where water drips down and hits the ground. You want to avoid planting under the dripline of your home.

Evergreen: Plants that keep their leaves throughout the year.

Focal Point A focal point is any object which draws attention or attracts the eye as a result of its placement in the landscape. Examples are sundials and fountains.

Full Shade: Deep shade created by mature trees.

Full Sun: An area of the landscape that receives six or more areas of direct sun.

Groundcovers: Low growing, spreading plants, generally perennial in nature.

Hardiness Zones. Zones created by the US Department of Agriculture based on the average minimum temperature in winter. It is important to check the hardiness zones of plants you are thinking of purchasing for your landscape. However, also be willing to try plants that grow in a zone that is one or two zones south of your own zone as plant producers tend to be very conservative when listing zones on their plants.

Landscape Fabric: Fabric used as a barrier against weeds. It can be a variety of materials, newspaper, plastic, porous fibers, burlap.

N-P-K: The common ingredients in fertilizers: It designates the ratio of N Nitrogen to P Phosphorus to K Potassium; the three major nutrients

Native: This term is poorly defined; but is generally used to refer to plants that were found in a given area before people arrived and began introducing nonnative plants.

Perennials:Plants or flowers that usually take more than one growing season to mature. These plants survive the winter outdoors and produce new growth each spring.

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