Friday, July 13, 2007

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

Friday, July 6, 2007

Module 1

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

    Amsonia tabernaemontana. Image Source: by Linda N.
Terms-to-Know
Kniphofia uvaria. Image Source: bc anna

Plant List

APOCYNACEAE
Amsonia tabernaemontana - Blue Star Flower

BIGNONIACEAE

Bignonia capreolata - crosvine

CARYOPHYLLACEAE
Lychnis coronaria - Rose campion

ERICACEAE
Kalmia latifolia - Mountain Laurel
Rhododendron X hybrida 'Fireball' - Knap Hill Hybrid Azalea

FABACEAE
Lupinus spp. - Lupine

HIPPOCASTANACEAE

Aesculus hippocastanum - Common Horsechestnut

IRIDACEAE
Iris sibirica - Siberian Iris
Sisyrinchium angustifolium - Narrow Blue-Eyed Grass

LILIACEAE
Kniphofia uvaria

OLEACEAE
Chionanthus virginicus - Gray-beard, White Fringe Tree

POLEMONIACEAE
Polemonium caeruleum - Jacob's ladder

RANUNCULACAE

Aquilegia X hybrida - Columbine

Kalmia latifolia. Image Source: tanakawho

Reading Assignments:
  • pages in textbooks related to this weeks plant materials
  • Review pictures of each species in Family Photo Album
Study Questions (10 points each, answer in complete sentences)
  1. Amsonia tabernaemontana is a great plant for the beginning gardener. Review its many ornamental and horticultural attributes.

  2. Columbine is a plant species that has been hybridized to offer new benefits to the garden. Arguably however, in many cases the consensus of many gardeners is that the unhybridized species are more desirable than the hybrids. Why are the hybrids popular with some gardeners.

  3. A client of yours has adored Kniphofia for years and finally planted them in his garden a few years ago. However, he has had a lot of disease problems. What are some of the questions you might ask in order to ascertain the problem?

  4. A local businesswoman had a garden installed at her coffee shop about 4 years ago. The landscape design included hybrid Lupines. They have been gorgeous in flower and resulted in increased business to her coffee shop. She is concerned this year only about 10% of the Lupines returned. Explain to her what the problem is.

  5. Describe the life cycle of Rose campion and discuss how this knowledge should impact garden design where Lychnis coronaria is to be used.

  6. Describe the texture of the Common Horsechestnut and how you might successfully use this plant in the landscape.

  7. A tree-form relative of Bignonia capreolata is common in Western North Carolina and prized among fisherman more than horticulturalists. Name this plant.

  8. Discuss members of Ericaceae family in this lab and in labs you covered in HOR 160 and 260. What are the common requirements for these plants? What are common challenges to using them in the landscape?

  9. Describe how one would properly use White Fringe Tree in the landscape.

  10. Propagating Chionanthus virginicus from seed requires special steps. Describe the process.
Extra Credit (list the meaning of each of these botanical terms +1 for each correct answer)
  • uvaria
  • coronaria
  • caeruleum
  • capreolata

Chionanthus virginicus. Image Source: bc anna