Ornamental Plant Selection Criteria Selection Criteria 1 Growth

Ornamental Plant Selection Criteria

Selection Criteria 1. Growth Habits 2. Four Season Appeal 3. Environmental Needs 4. Special Desirable Features 5. Problems

Growth Habits Annual flowers Perennial Flowers (herbaceous) Bulbs (spring or summer) Ornamental grasses Evergreens (trees and shrubs) Trees (deciduous) Shrubs (deciduous) Groundcovers and Vines

Annual Flowers Live only one year Replant each year Inexpensive Continuous mass of color (flowers or foliage) Special: some everlasting Problems: heat stall

Perennial Flowers (Herbaceous) & Ornamental Grasses Live 3 or more years Parts above ground die in winter Overwinter as underground structures More expensive than annuals Burst of flower color for a few weeks Special: need to divide after a few years Problems: frost heaving

The “true” bulbs Laminate bulbs: ie- tulip, daffodil, garlic, onion ◦ Layers of leaf tissue ◦ Outermost leaf is scaly tissue Scaly bulbs: ie- lily ◦ No outer covering (more likely to dry out) ◦ Roots are contractile Can expand contract to pull the bulb deeper into soil Helps avoid freezing at the surface Look wrinkly, like a scrunchie

The “untrue” bulbs Corms: ◦ bulk of the tissue is stem ◦ Hard scaly outer covering ◦ Solid, one layered Rhizomes: ie-mint, ferns ◦ Fleshy stem that often grows underground or at the soil surface Tubers: ie-white potato ◦ Swollen stem tissue ◦ “eyes” = buds Tuberous Roots: ie-sweet potato ◦ Swollen root tissue

Spring Bulbs Plant in fall Require vernalization Response to low temperatures and moist conditions to stimulate flowers Bloom in spring Not all true bulbs: includes corms, rhizomes, tuberous roots Special: May need to divide Problems: foliage dies after bloom

Summer bulbs Plant in spring Bloom in summer Not all true bulbs (corms, rhizomes, tuberous roots) Special: some are “tender” ◦ Need to be brought inside for winter

Trees and Shrubs Live numerous years Evergreen or deciduous Above ground parts survive winter More expensive than herbaceous perennials Consider speed of growth and length of life Special: flowers, fruits, shade, fall, winter bark Problems: pruning, can be messy

Groundcovers and Vines Live numerous years Evergreen or deciduous Above ground parts survive winter Comparable in price to herbaceous perennials Special: climb and cover ground Problems: may need support, can be aggressive

Four Season Appeal Spring Summer Fall Winter

Environmental Needs Shade vs. Sun Wet vs. Dry Temperature Soil