New Online Course for Summer 2008

Available Soon @
Haywood Community College

This course covers important landscape plants. Emphasis is placed on identification, plant nomenclature, growth characteristics, cultural requirements, and landscape uses. Upon completion, students should be able to correctly select plants for specific landscape uses.

Contact Buddy Tignor, mtignor@haywood.edu if you have questions.

Until then feel free to look around the course.

Module 7

Red Admiral butterfly on Buddleia davidii. Image Source: ndrwfgg

Announcements

Learning Objectives

• Describe the ID characteristics of the plant species covered this week.
• Identify the strengths and weaknesses of this week's plant species.
• Define the terms associated with plant species covered this week

Terms-To-Know

• lanceolate
• capsule
• spines
• dioecious
• pellucid glands
• crenate-serrulate
• drupe

Berry-like cone found on Juniperus. Image Source: cogdogblog

Plant List

AQUIFOLIACEAE
Ilex cornuta 'Burfordii Nana' - Dwarf Buford Holly
Ilex cornuta 'Carissa' - Carissa Holly
Ilex cornuta 'Rotunda' - Rotunda Holly
Ilex crenata 'Convexa' - Convexa Holly
Ilex crenata 'Helleri' - Heller Holly
Ilex glabra - Inkberry*
Ilex X attenuata 'Fosteri' - Foster Holly
Ilex X 'Nellie R. Stevens' - Nellie Stevens Holly

CUPRESSACEAE
Juniperus chinensis 'Blue and Gold' - Blue and Gold Juniper
Juniperus chinensis 'Pfitzeriana Aurea' - Golden Pfitzer Juniper
Juniperus chinensis 'Pyramidalis' - Pyramidal Chinese Holly
Juniperus rigida 'Pendula' - Weeping Temple Juniper
Juniperus virginiana 'Grey Owl' - Grey Owl Juniper*

SCROPHULARIACEAE
Buddleia davidii - Butterfly Bush

*Indicates native plant species

Reading Assignment

• pages in textbooks related to this weeks plant materials
• Review pictures of each species in Family Photo Album

Study Questions (10 pts, answer in complete sentences)

1. Buddleia davidii and Vitex agnus-castus are often confused by the beginning plant materials student. Write a brief paragraph differentiating between the ID characteristics of each.
   
   
2. Chinese Hollies occasionally fruit very heavily providing additional ornamental benefit. However, this drain on stored carbohydrates and nutrients can cause other problems. Describe the problem and how to remedy it.
   
   
3. What is the biggest problem with Ilex cornuta cultivars in modern landscape design?
   
   
4. Choose three Ilex cornuta cultivars that you find interesting and describe them. Using the internet try to locate sources for each and report the online price (be sure to include size).
   
   
5. Discuss the landscape value of Ilex crenata. What are mistakes that have been made in the past with Ilex crenata that a landscape maintenance specialist should be sure to avoid.
   
   
6. Describe the best way to propagate Ilex crenata.
   
   
7. Differentiate between new and old growth on Ilex crenata.
   
   
8. Compare and contrast the form and landscape uses of Juniperus chinensis 'Blue and Gold' and J. chinensis 'Pfitzeriana Aurea'.
   
   
9. Discuss the variation found in the 'Pfitzeriana ' cultivar family.
   
   
10. Differentiate between the identification characteristics of Juniperus chinensis and Juniperus virginiana.
    

Extra Credit (list the correct definition of each botanical term below, +1 each)

• cornuta
• crenata
• glabra
• attenuata
  

Excellent Juniper Bonsai. Image Source: sheilaellen

Module 6

Alchemilla mollis after the rain. Image Source: Linda N.

Announcements

Learning Objectives

• Describe the ID characteristics of the plant species covered this week.
• Identify the strengths and weaknesses of this weeks plant species.
• Define the terms associated with plant species covered this week

Terms-To-Know

• needle-like foliage
• scale-like foliage
• awl-like foliage
• fleshy cone, berry-like cone
• juniper oil
• diuretic
• zigzag rachis

Crocosmia X crocosmiiflora. Image Source: Xerones

Plant List

ASTERACEAE
Leucantheum X superbum - Shasta Daisy
Rudbeckia fulgida - Orange Coneflower*

CUPRESSACEAE
Juniperus chinensis 'Nick's Compact' - Nick's Compact Juniper
Juniperus horizontalis 'Wiltoni' - Blue Rug Juniper
Juniperus procumbens 'Nana' - Dwarf Japanese Garden Juniper
Juniperus squamata 'Blue Star' - Blue Star Juniper

IRIDACEAE
Crocosmia X crocosmiiflora - Crocosmia or Montbretia

ROSACEAE
Alchemilla mollis - Lady's Mantle
Potentilla X bicolor 'Gibson's Scarlet' - Himalayan Cinquefoil
Spirea X bumalda 'Anthony Waterer' - Anthony Waterer Spirea

SAXIFRAGACEAE
Hydrangea arborescens 'Annabelle' - Smooth Hydrangea*
Hydrangea quercifolia - Oakleaf Hydrangea*

*Indicates Native Species

Shasta daisies. Image Source: bcballard

Reading Assignment

• pages in textbooks related to this weeks plant materials
• Review pictures of each species in Family Photo Album

Study Questions (10 pts, answer in complete sentences)

1. There are several genera of Alchemilla that are used in the landscape. What is probably the quickest way to identify Alchemilla mollis in side-by-side comparison with A. alpina, A. ellenbeckii, A. erythropoda, and A. glaucescens.
2. Crocosmia x crocosmiiflora is available in many different cultivars. Choose three cultivars that you sound interesting and briefly discuss their strength's and weaknesses.
3. A client loves their Crocosmia hybrids and want to know how to plant more. Explain propagation and plant maintenance procedures for this species.
4. What does Shasta daisy have in common with Delphinium and Lupine?
5. What growth habit allows Rudbeckia fulgida to rapidly form colonies? What are the different ways this species can be propagated?
6. Hydrangeas have an unusual inflorescence. Explain to the uninitiated the difference between sterile and fertile flowers that constitute the inflorescence of several different Hydrangea species.
7. Discuss some of the rewards and challenges of using Hydrangea quercifolia in the landscape.
8. Juniper is one of the most diverse and varied genera in the CUPRESSACEAE family. Describe the variation in landscape habitat that these species are adaptable to.
9. Differentiate between Juniperus horizontalis 'Wiltoni' and Juniperus procumbens 'Nana'.
10. What are some environmental limitations of using Juniperus squamata 'Blue Star' in the landscape?
    

Extra Credit (list the correct definition of each botanical term below, +1 each)

• mollis
• fulgida
• quercifolia

Hydrangea quercifolia. Note sterile and fertile flowers. Image Source: meshmar2

Module 5

Yucca filamentosa in the landscape. Images Source: Miki James

Announcements

Learning Objectives

• Describe the ID characteristics of the plant species covered this week.
• Identify the strengths and weaknesses of this weeks plant species.
• Define the terms associated with plant species covered this week

Terms-to-Know

• xeriscaping
• succulent
• Erwinia

Gaillardia X grandiflora. Image Source: MShades

Plant List

ARACEAE
Zantedeshia spp. - Calla Lily

ASTERACEAE
Artemisia schmidtiana 'Silver Mound' - Silvermound Wormwood
Gaillardia X grandifolia - Blanket Flower*
Stokesia laevis - Stoke's Aster

AGAVACEAE
Yucca filamentosa - Adam's Needle Yucca*

CAPRIFOLIACEAE
Abelia grandiflora 'Francis Mason' - Glossy Abelia
Abelia grandiflora X schumannii 'Edward Goucher' - Edward Goucher Abelia

CRASSULACEAE
Sedum reflexum 'Blue Spruce' - Spruce-leaved Stonecrop, Stone Orpine
Sedum spurium 'Tricolor' - Two-row Stonecrop

FABACEAE
Baptisia alba - White Wild Indigo*

ROSACEAE
Spirea japonica 'Shirobana' - Shirobana Japanese Spirea

*Indicates a native species

Reading List

• pages in textbooks related to this weeks plant materials
• Review pictures of each species in Family Photo Album

Flowers of Abelia X grandiflora. Image source: jam343

Study Questions (10 pts each, answer in complete sentences)

1. A client in the central region of North Carolina has repeated problems with their planting of Silvermound Wormwood during the summer. Explain to the client what the most likely cause of the depressing summer appearance of the plant is.
   
   
2. In a mixed sun and shade garden explain how Baptisia alba might be effectively used in conjunction with Baptisia australis to promote color and plant health.
   
   
3. Gaillardia X grandiflora is a tetraploid. Conduct internet research and describe what a tetraploid plant is. Give examples of other common plant tetraploids.
   
   
4. Members of the genus Sedum are often used in xeriscaping. Describe xeriscaping and explain what anatomical features of Sedum reflexum and Sedum spurium make these species useful in xeriscaping.
   
   
5. Build a dichotomous key for the cultivars of Stoke's Aster listed in your textbook. (you do not need to use complete sentences for this one)
   
   
6. We have covered several members of the ASTERACEAE family during this semester. List these species and one unique attribute of each.
   
   
7. Calla Lilies are beautiful garden plants, but gardeners should be aware of two severe challenges with using these species. Discuss the two challenges and management practices that might help reduce or alleviate those issues.
   
   
8. Describe appropriate landscape uses of Abelia X grandiflora. How might this be an advantageous plant to include in a landscape being designed to be low maintenance?
   
   
9. Describe the soil conditions needed to optimize the growth of Yucca? Explain how you could use this plant in the landscape even with its course texture.
   
   
10. Describe to a horticulture enthusiast how to correctly identify Spirea japonica 'Shirobana'.
    

Extra Credit (list the correct definition of each botanical term below, +1 each)

• laevis
• reflexum
• spurium
  

Additional Resources
Do It Yourself Xeriscaping
Xeriscape Colorado (Great Source of Information)

Residential Xeriscape in Albuquerque, NM. You can imagine how much this landscape would reduce transpirational water loss as compared to a traditional turf lawn. Image Source: teofilo

Module 4

Canterbury Bell. Image Source: skye820

Announcements

Learning Objectives

• Describe the ID characteristics of the plant species covered this week.
• Identify the strengths and weaknesses of this weeks plant species.
• Define the terms associated with plant species covered this week

Unopened Ballon Flower. Children love these. Image source: audreyjm529

Terms-to-Know

• invasive plant
• pubescence
• ground cover
• hybrid
• domestication
• plant breeding
• long-lived perennial
• short-lived perennial
• biennial
  

Plant List

APIACEAE
Daucus carota - Queen Anne's Lace (Wild Carrot)
Foeniculum vulgare 'Purpurescens' - Bronze Fennel

ASTERACEAE
Echinaceae purpurea - Purple Coneflower
Matricaria chamomilla - German Chamomile (sp. also listed as recutita)

CAMPANULACEAE
Campanula medium - Canterbury Bells or Cup and Saucer
Campanula persicifolia - Peachleaf Bellflower
Platycodon grandiflorus - Ballon Flower

POACEAE
Arundo donax - Giant Reed Grass

RANUNCULACEAE
Delphinium X elatum - Hybrid Delphinium

ROSACEAE
Rubus calcinoides - Creeping Raspberry

SAXIFRAGACEAE
Rodgersia henrici - Rodger's Flower

Echinacea detail. Image Source: Zanastardust

Reading Assignment

• pages in textbooks related to this weeks plant materials
• Review pictures of each species in Family Photo Album

Study Questions (10 pts each, answer in complete sentences).

1. Arundo donax is an invasive species. Personally I recommend that it never be planted in the landscape. Its size texture and growth potential have made it a choice selection for some designers in gardeners, but this reed quickly escapes the garden and causes problems with local ecosystems. Read the following abstract and discuss the biological attributes of Giant Reed Grass that make it an invasive species.
   
   
2. Explain how the life cycle of Campanula medium has limited its use in modern gardens? Further discuss how the use of perennials has impacted the labor requirement of modern landscapes (be careful before you jump to conclusions).
   
   
3. Conduct internet research on Daucus carota. What is the difference between Queen Anne's Lace and the cultivated carrot? How long did the selection process take to go from a wild plant to plant useful for human and domesticated animal consumption?
   
   
4. The use of Delphinium and Lupine in the garden is limited by some of the same factors. Discuss these limitations.
   
   
5. Most of you are very familiar with Echinacea purpurea. However, you may not have realized the number of different cultivars that are available. Develop a dichotomous key for the cultivars of Echinacea purpurea listed on pages 371 and 372 of your text.
   
   
6. Explain why the author of your text describes Fennel as a plant for everyone.
   
   
7. German chamomile is a classic example of where taxonomists and horticulturalists lose sight of the goal of the system of binomial nomenclature. Read the wikipedia article on German chamomile and discuss the variation in names that are botanical synonyms for this species.
   
   
8. Explain several advantages that Platycodon grandiflorus has over Delphinium and Lupine when designing the ornamental landscape.
   
   
9. What is somewhat uncommon about the floral morphology of Rodger's Flower in bloom?
   
   
10. Shady non-invasive ground covers for Western North Carolina are in demand. Describe a species covered this week that could fill this design niche.
    

Extra Credit (list the correct definition of each botanical term below, +1 each)

• persicifolia
• grandiflorus
• elatum
  

Additional Resources
The Global Invasive Species Initiative
Invasive Plant Information from the National Arboretum
Brooklyn Botanic Garden - Worst Invasives in the U.S.

Hybrid Delphinium. Image Source: MShades

Module 3

Delosperma cooperi. Image Source: SqueakyMarmot
Announcements

Learning Objectives

• Describe the ID characteristics of the plant species covered this week.
• Identify the strengths and weaknesses of this weeks plant species.
• Define the terms associated with plant species covered this week

Terms-to-Know

• succulent foliage
• flower spike
• frost tender
• raceme
• capsule
• rose hip

Hemerocallis hybrid. Image Source: Zanastardust

Plant List
AIZOACEAE
Delosperma cooperi - Ice Plant

ADOXACEAE
Sambucus canadensis - Elderberry*

ASTERACEAE
Achillea millefolium - Common Yarrow

CAPRIFOLIACEAE
Lonicera japonica - Japanese Honeysuckle

ERICACEAE
Rhododendron X satsuki - Gumpo Azalea

IRIDACEAE
Iris germanica - Bearded Iris

LAMIACEAE
Lamium maculatum 'Beacon Silver' - Dead Nettle
Lavandula angustifolia - Common Lavender

LILIACEAE
Hemerocallis hybrids - Daylily

ROSACEAE
Rosa pimpinellifolia 'Petite Pink' - Scotch Rose
Rosa rugosa - Rugosa Rose
Spirea japonica 'Little Princess' Japanese Spirea

SAXIFRAGACEAE
Itea virginica - Virginia Sweetspire*

*Indicates a native species for Western North Carolina

Reading Assignment

• pages in textbooks related to this weeks plant materials
• Review pictures of each species in Family Photo Album

Fruit (rose hips) of Rosa rugosa. Image Source: hr.icio

Study Questions (10 pts each, Answer in complete sentences)

1. It is important to understand that new uses for landscape plants are being experimented with all the time. One species we covered this week was tested as an alternative to turf. List the species and discuss the outcome of this experiment.
   
2. Delosperma cooperi is extremely well adapted to hot sunny sites. Discuss some of the features that give it an advantage in these locations.
3. Almost all daylilies for sale these days are the result of hybridization. What forces drove this hybridization? How many hybrids are there? What has been the impact on traditional daylily species.
4. Lamium is a genus that has a propensity to escape the garden. What are some morphological features that promote the potential invasiveness of this genus?
5. Describe the potential uses of Lavender in a landscape design.
6. Describe the optimum soil conditions for Virginia Sweetspire.
7. Why should Lonicera japonica be removed during landscape renovations?
8. Which of this weeks woody species could be used in areas where salt in the soil can be a problem?
9. What are some of the problems with using Sambucus canadensis in the home landscape?
10. 50 years ago Spirea was a popular landscape plant. Do some research and suggest reasons why it has declined in popularity with some designers.
    

Extra Credit (Define the following terms, +1 for each correct definition)

• spirea
• itea
• angustifolia

Gumpo Azalea in bloom. Image Source: KaCey97007

Module 2

Baptisia australis. Image Source: normanack

Announcements

Learning Objectives

• Describe the ID characteristics of the plant species covered this week.
  
• Identify the strengths and weaknesses of this weeks plant species.
• Define the terms associated with plant species covered this week

Terms-to-Know

• leathery
• cymose panicle
• drupe
• wolly leaves
• pungent
• glandular
• rosette
• biennial
• perennial
• raceme

Digitalis purpurea. Image Source: tanakawho

Plant List

ERICACEAE
Rhododendron calendulaceum* - Flame Azalea

FABACEAE
Baptisia australis* - False Blue Indigo

LAMIACEAE
Stachys byzantina - Lamb's Ear

OLEACEAE
Chionanthus retusus - Chinese Fringetree

RUTACEAE
Ruta graveolens - Rue / Herb of Grace

SAXIFRAGACEAE
Heuchera americana* - Alumroot

SCROPHULARIACEAE
Digitalis grandiflora - Yellow Foxglove
Digitalis purpurea - Common Foxglove

Study Questions (10 pts each, answer in complete sentences)

1. Which plant this week has roots that are particularly attractive to voles?
2. Explain to a customer at your retail center the garden conditions necessary to establish foxglove so that they may enjoy it for years to com.
3. Your neighbor has a planting of foxglove that routinely reaches 7' in height. He thinks they were genetically modified and wants to get rid of them. Suggest two more likely alternatives.
4. Alumroot is native to this region and thrives under the right conditions. Describe those conditions for a gardener planting this species for the first time.
5. Ruta graveolens is related to other species that you are familiar with. List at least 2 other species that belong to the same family and describe common attributes among the species (family characteristics).
6. What is a common disease challenge for Stachys byzantina in the South? What can be done to minimize this issue?
7. Describe how to differentiate Chionanthus virginicus from Chionanthus retusus.
8. One plant species this week might have an advantage over others in poor soil conditions. Which plant is it? and explain its potential advantage.
9. Explain why Flame azalea shouldn't be used as a specimen plant. What is the proper way to use it in a landscape design?
10. The Chinese Fringetree is a member of the Oleaceae family. What other common landscape plants are members of this same plant family?

Extra Credit (define the following botanical terms, +1 for each correct definition)

• purpurea
• byzantina
• graveolens
• retusus

Flame Azalea. Image Source: rjones0856