Amenity Horticulture

refers to the designing, creating and managing a range of leisure, recreational and garden areas such as woodlands, country parks, historic gardens, cemeteries and botanic/public gardens.

Aeration

Loosening soil by making small holes/cuts in the ground allowing more water and air to circulate. The best times to do this is in the spring and autumn when the ground is most likely to be naturally moist.

Biennial

These are plants that live two years, bearing flowers and fruit only in the second year. Examples of biennial in the UK are petunias, Hollyhocks and cosmos.

Compost 

Is a soil made from decayed garden material, used to add nutrients and encourage growth. Compostable items are grass clippings, leaves and food scraps. (compost heap).

Cutting

A method of propagation where a stem/root/bud is cut from the parent plant and replanted to develop a new plant.

Dead heading – Method of pruning that promotes new growth by cutting the stem of a flower removing the spent bloom and cutting just above the first healthy leaves on stem. This is important to do with Hydrangeas and Roses.

Deciduous

A plant that sheds its leaves every year. Shrubs such as Chaenomeles  and Winter Honeysuckle and trees such as Beech and Ash.

Evergreen

A plant that leaves or needles stay green all year round. Examples that are typical to British gardens are Rhodedendrons and lavender, also Pine and Silver Birch.

Fertilizer

A substance made naturally or chemically that is rich in nutrients and increases fertility of soil/land.

Fungicide

Chemical used to destroy fungus.

Hedge-trimming

The process of trimming hedges involves cutting or removing overgrown and dead branches. In addition to allowing new growth, it keeps hedges neat and tidy. (Hedge-cutting) (Hedge Pruning)

Herbicide

Chemical for controlling weeds. (Weed spraying) (weed killer) (weed control)

(pesticide)

Herbaceous

Relating to Herbs.

Irrigation

Systems of water supply.

Lawn mowing

The cutting of grass with a lawn mower to a uniform level. (grass cutting) (grass mowing) (lawn cutting) (lawn maintenance)

Mulch

Material typically made from decaying leaves, bark that is spread on top of soil to insulate, conserve moisture, suppress weeds and enrich the soil.

Perennial

A plant that lives and blooms for several years such as Geraniums and Dahlias.

Planter

An designated area (usually raised) or container that is used for plants.

Pruning

A method of cutting parts of a plant off to control size, health and appearance. Usually performed with secateurs or gardening shear.

Strimming

To cut grass using a piece of equipment called strimmer, used on the boarders of grass.

(grass strimming)

(lawn strimming)

Scarify

Removing organic matter or ‘surface thatch’ such as moss from around grass stems, which may be an obstacle for nutrients and water getting into the ground. This can be done by rake or with a mechanical scarifier. Best done in Spring or Autumn and done just prior to aerating your lawn

Topdressing

A fertilizer or soil amendment can be applied after seeding, transplanting, or once the crop has been planted.

Topiary

Decorative style of plant growth, shaping the plant by pruning, shearing or hedge trimmers

(hedge shaping).

Turf

A section of grass and surface layer of soil.

Weeding

The removal of weeds by hand or by use of herbicide spray.