Garden Dictionary

The GQnE Garden Dictionary provides definitions of general gardening terminology with illustrated articles offering detailed and practical information and gardening tips.

Accents

• any garden accessory, ornament or plant used as a focal point, decoration or adornment

Amend

• typically in the sense of improving soil conditions with the addition of compost or fertilizers

Bulb

Bulb Planting

• commonly used term for plant storage organs which provide needed energy for growth and bloom each season; can include true bulbs (tulip flowers), rhizomes (iris), corms, tubers, and tuberous root. Read more on the difference between bulbs and rhizomes

Compost

• naturally decomposed organic material (those with plant and animal origins) used to amend or improve soil conditions and/or used for mulch or protective covering during winter months. Visit our composting page for directions on making your own compost

Deadheading

• the act of removing dead flowers from a plant by pinching them off or by using a sharp cutting tool

Groundcover

• low growing plants that are used to cover soil and help prevent weeds from growing

Hardiness Zone

• climate zones which represent an area of winter hardiness (tolerance) for flowers and plants

Humus

• organic matter that is produced when compost is totally broken down. It is therefore not as course as compost and is used to amend/improve clay and/or sandy soil conditions. It also improves the structure of the soil and helps to retain moisture

Mulch (organic)

• protective covering (as of hardwood bark chips, leaves, straw, ground corncobs, rice or peanut hulls) spread on the ground to retain moisture, control weeds, and amend/improve soil

Zebra Grass

Ornamental Grasses

• grasses used for decorative purposes - can be the main focus of a planting group or used as edging or filler plants

Perennial

• plant that lives and continues to flower for more than two years; they die back each winter yet grow back in the spring from its root stock without needing to be planted new each year

Rhizome

• specific type of bulb from which Iris grow. Note the difference between bulbs and rhizomes

Transplant or Divide

• moving a flower/plant from one area of the garden to another. Dividing is necessary to keep plants healthy and a great way to produce more specimens for your garden at no cost. Check out our plant division tips

Trowel

• a small flat or scooplike hand shovel

Weeding Tools

• any implement used to remove weeds from a garden; i.e. cultivator, dandelion weeder, hoe

Snowy Pines

Wintering

• preparing and protecting a garden from extreme cold temperature fluctuations during winter months

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