We use cookies to make your experience better. To comply with the new e-Privacy directive, we need to ask for your consent to set the cookies. Learn more.
Gardening Glossary
A
Abreuvoir
A large water container
Acid Soil
Soil with a pH level below 7
Acre
4840 square yards of land
Adonis Garden
A garden with herbal plants. Ancient Greek
Aerate
To allow air into your plants
Aerial Roots
Roots that appear above ground
Aeroponics
Roots suspended in air and receiving nutrients through mist
Agamospermy
Reproduction in seeds with the need of only one gendered sexual organ
Agriculture
Growing crops
Air Layering
A technique that allows for tree branches to root while still attached to the original plant
Alcove
A hole-like area in a room or wall
Allee
A walkway or path lined with plants
Alpine Garden
A garden comprising of plants that naturally grow in high altitudes
Alkaline Soil
Soil with a pH level above 7
American Garden
A garden that uses plants commonly found in North America
Anglo-Chinois
An English garden using themes from Chinese culture
Annuals
Plants with a life-span of less than one year
Apetalous
A petal-less flower
Apiary
Several beehives
Aquatic Plants
Plants that live in water
Arboretum
A group of trees
Arbour
A frame for plants and trees to grow around, creating a shady standalone area
Arcade
Arches and columns that form a structure
Arch
Often used as a decorative entrance to a garden
Architect
Landscape architects can be behind the design of public gardens
Armillary Sphere
A model of the globe. Often made up of metal rings. Garden ornament
Asexual Reproduction
Reproducing with only one gender sexual organ
Atrium
Large and well-lit open space within a structure
Axe
Sharp tool for cutting wood
Axial
Implies symmetry
B
Bacteria
Tiny, invisible organisms. Some are harmful, others can stimulate growth
Bare Root
Plants with roots exposed, ready to be put into soil
Basin
A bowl-like container used for plants or water for birds
Bedding Plant
A plant set in a flowerbed. Decorative
Belt
Trees planted with the intention of highlighting a view
Belvedere
A space at rooftop level with a clear view of the surroundings
Berry
Small, juicy fruits covered in thin flesh. Not all edible
Bicoloured
Plants with two colours
Biennial
A plant with a life expectancy of two years
Biodegradable
Breaks down over time causing no damage to nature
Biological Pest Control
Using natural organisms to deter other bugs and
Bipinnate
Derivatives of pinnate leaves- grow opposite on the same stem
Bolting
Plants that flower prematurely in an effort to produce seeds before they are harvested for their intended purpose
Bonsai
Japanese word for growing miniature or ornamental trees
Border
A frame of plant life around a garden area
Botanic Garden
Plants on display for the public but being grown for scientific purposes
Botanical Name
A plant’s original name, usually Latin
Bower
Shade under trees
Bract
A leaf that differs from the rest with a flower angling towards the stem
Bud
Similar to a bulb, a flower or leaf forms from a growth on a plant
Bulb
The part of a plant from which roots grow
C
Cambium
Thickening plant tissue
Canal
The part of a plant used to carry food and oxygen
Carpet Bedding
An elaborate flowerbed often arranged into a pattern or words
Cascade
Plants that overgrow and form a waterfall effect down the side of a structure
Catkin
Soft flowers that hang from some trees. The flowers are small and spiky in shape
Chainsaw
A powered tool for felling trees or removing thick branches
Chitting
Causing something to sprout by placing it in a cool environment
Chlorophyll
A plant's pigment for absorbing sunlight
Cladode
Performs the functions of a leaf but is a flattened stem
Climber
Plants that climb structures such as walls and cover them
Cloche
For protecting young outdoor plants. A small, clear cover
Coade Stone
A substitute for real stone that is less vulnerable to adverse weather conditions
Cold Frame
Used to adjust conditions to allow plants to grow out of their usual seasons
Column
A pillar that can either be freestanding for decoration or to hold up a structure
Complete Fertiliser
Compost including NPK
Compost
Decomposing organic matter
Concrete
A solid building material suitable for strong garden structures
Conifer
An evergreen, fast-growing tree
Conservatory
A building made mostly of glass usually in the corner of a garden, attached to a house
Coppice
A ground-level collection of shrubbery in a wooded area
Copse
A small collection of trees
Cordon
A plant restricted from growing anything other than its main stem
Coronary Garden
Coronary meaning crown- garden used for plants in wreaths
Corm
Part of a plant stem that stays underground. Stores nutrients for harsh weather
Courtyard Garden
An open-topped garden but enclosed by buildings. Less vegetation than a standard garden
Cover Crop
A crop to prevent weeds, erosion and insects. They also benefit overall soil quality
Crop Rotation
Changing the location of crops to prevent infestations of insects living in the soil
Cultivate
Grow plants
Cuttings
A cut of a plant from which another can be grown
D
Damping Down
Adding moisture to the floor of a greenhouse in order to make the air more humid
Damping Off
When seedlings are weakened are killed by fungi from overly humid conditions
Deadheading
Removing the dead flowers from a plant
Deciduous
When a plant sheds its leaves every year
Decking
Wooden panels on a flat surface
Dibble Stick
Used when planting seeds. A small, pointed, wooden tool for creating holes in the soil. Also known as a dibber
Dipping Pool
Small pool for small areas. Not suitable for swimming but can be waded in to. Decorative
Direct Sow
Planting seeds immediately in the garden rather that nurturing them in an indoor plant pot
Dethatch
Remove the thatch from a lawn
Dioecious Plant
Male and female reproductive parts in separate plants
Dividing
Separate plants from each other to increase individual growth and possibly grow more
Dormancy
When a plant does not grow but is not dead
Double Digging
Loosen layers of soil in order to allow more air in
Double Flower
Flowers with excessive petals or two growing from one bud
Drip Line
Regulated water controlled through a drip straight to the roots
E
Earthing Up
To cover with soil
Epiphyte
A plant that attaches itself to another but sources its own nutrients
Ericaceous Plants
Plants that often have shallow roots. Require acidic, moist soil
Erosion
Worn down by the elements over time
Espalier
A plant whose branches grow flat against a surface. Fruit bearing
Evaporation
When liquid changes to a gas
Evergreen
A plant that keeps its colour in all seasons
Exotic Species
Taken out of its natural habitat and grown in a strange environment
Eyecatcher
Something deemed aesthetically pleasing
F
F1 Hybrid
A first generation hybrid of two different plants
F2 Hybrid
Offspring of the F1
Fernery
A group of ferns
Fertiliser
Added to the soil to aid plant growth
Flat
A tray for seedlings
Floating Row Cover
A clear cover for a row of plants/ crops. Allows limited air and water with light
Flower
A part of a plant commonly identified by petals
Flowerpot
For growing or displaying plants
Flowery
Decorated with flowers
Flowery Mead
A grassy area with many flowers
Folly
A structure with no purpose besides decoration
Foliar Feeding
Feeding through the leaves rather than the roots
Forcing
Manipulating conditions to cause plants to flower or produce fruit out of season
Formal
Gardens with an ordered style. Straight lines and parallels
Frond
The leaves of certain plants
Frost
Potentially damaging to plants if they are not protected from weather
G
Garden
A space of hard or soft ground that can be decorated for public or personal use
Garden Ready Plants
Plants ready to be planted in the garden immediately
Gardenist
Someone who designs gardens
Gazebo
An open structure with access and a view to an area
Genus
Common traits allowing things to be categorised
Germinate
When something begins to sprout
Girdling
An effort to kill a tree by cutting a ring through the bark
Gnome
Porcelain human-shaped decorations for gardens
Going to Seed
When a plant has grown enough to be able to produce a seed
Grafting
One plant is grafted to another to combine the tissues of both
Ground Cover
Plants used to cover empty areas of land, usually around things like trees
Growing On
To use natural resources to encourage growth
Growing Season
The time when plants are able to grow
H
Half Hardy
Planted in unseasonal warmth
Half Hardy Annual
Planted outside when the worst of the cold has passed in an effort to get flowers throughout the warmer months
Half Hardy Perennial
Plants with a long life but need to be hardened for winter
Harden Off
Nurture plants so they can grow in more adverse conditions
Hardpan
A particularly tough layer of soil
Hardiness
How capable a plant is of surviving winter months
Hardy Perennial
A plant that can survive year round
Heavy Soil
Soil that is it is difficult for plants to grow in. Most likely due to a high amount of clay
Heeling In
A process to protect plants from the weather
Herb
A plant commonly used for flavouring in food
Herbaceous
Plants with stems that die down towards the root yearly and are not woody
Herbal
Plants for medicine
Hermitage
A secluded area ideal for a hermit
Hoe
Tool used for moving and shaping soil
Honeydew
A substance produced by plants and left on stems
Horticulture
Managing a garden
Hosepipe
A tube for watering plants
Humus
Part of soil
Hybrid
Cross-bred plants
Hydroponics
Growing plants in conditions without any soil
I
Inflorescence
How the flower is arranged on the plant it grows from
Informal
The opposite to formal, fewer restrictions on layout
Insecticide
Used to protect plants from insects
Internode
In between a plant's nodes
Interplanting
A variety of plants in one location
Irrigation
Watering an area before planting crops
K
Karesansui
Also known as a zen garden. Small, well-kept area ideal for peaceful thought
Knot Garden
Plants arranged in a ‘knot’ formation. Similar to Celtic signs
L
Labyrinth
Type of complex maze
Lateral
An offshoot from the leader stem
Lawnmower
Machine for cutting grass
Layering
An offshoot growing roots while still attached to the original
Leaching
When rain shifts the soil in such a way that nutrients for plants are lost
Leader
A primary stem or tree trunk
Leaf Mould
A mulch of dead leaves that can be used as soil
Leaflet
Leaves on a mini stem
Leggy
Spindly. Likely due to insufficient access to light
Lime
Alkali. Can determine if if a soil is alkaline by the lime content
Lime Free
Acidic soil
Lime Tolerant
Plants that can flourish in alkaline soil
Loam
A type of soil. Rich with clay
Lobed Leaves
Shaped leaves with ‘earlobe’ like indents
M
Maiden
A young tree
Maincrop
Primary crop of the season. Corn, for example
Manure
Animal waste used as fertiliser
Marginal Plants
Used around ponds or pools. They soften the transition from water to land
Mausoleum
A family tomb often found in stately gardens
Maze
A series of misleading paths with one central target which is hidden by hedges or fencing
Menagerie
Animals kept to be viewed by people. Similar to a zoo
Microclimate
An area with a different climate to its surroundings
Micro-Nutrients
Nutrients only needed in small doses but viewed as essential
Mixed Border
A garden border comprised of several plant varieties
Moat
A body of water encircling a structure
Module Trays
Split like ice trays for growing seedlings
Monoecious Plant
Plants that produce other plants with only either male or female reproductive parts
Moon Gate
A circular opening or doorway
Mosaiculture
Sculpting a 3D image from plants
Moss
Slick plants growing as a layer in moist areas
Mossery
Moss grown in a specific area
Mound
A pile. Could be a mound of soil
Mulch
Decayed leaves
N
Native Plant
Plants that grow naturally in any given area
Natural
No interference from artificial influences
Naturalise
Manipulate a plant to grow away from its natural habitat
Nectar
Collected by bees. Aids pollination
Neutral Soil
A pH level of 7. Neither acidic nor alkaline
NPK
Nitrogen, Phosphorous and Potash. Found in fertilisers
Node
Points on a plant from which leaves grow
Nursery Bed
Where plants are nurtured to ideal size
Nutrients
Effectively a plant’s food. Key to growth
Nymphaeum
A place designed for the mythical Nymph creatures
O
Offset
Place a plant out of the order of the rest
Orangery
A specialist area for growing oranges
Orchard
An area specifically for growing fruit bearing plants
Organic Gardening
A garden with no interference from pesticides or supplements
Oxygenator
A plant that provides oxygen underwater
P
Pale
Light colouring. Applies to leaves and petals
Palisade
A fence around an area that is best enclosed
Palmate
At least five lobes to one leaf
Panicle
A leaf with many loose branches that flower or grow some crop
Papyrus
Plant native to central Africa
Paradise
A person's haven. Gardens are often a glimpse of an individual's paradise
Parasitic Plant
A plant that leaches its essential nutrients from a neighbouring plant
Park
A public place commonly used as a play area
Parterre
A flat level used for display purposes
Patio
A paved area instead of a lawn
Peat Moss
Decayed remains of sphagnum moss
Pedestal
The structure on which statues are placed
Perennial
A plant with a long life span. Quite a few years
Perpetual
Something which continuously occurs. A plant can perpetually flower or grow fruit
Pest
An unwanted insect or animal
pH
Measures if soil is acidic, alkaline or neutral. Determines which plants can grow where
Physic Garden
A garden composed of plants used for medicine
Photosynthesis
Plants converting sunlight into their own form of sustenance
Picturesque
Pretty to look at
Pinery
A place where pineapples are grown; a forest of pine
Pinetum
A collection of pine trees
Pinching Back
Cutting back inadequate growth towards the top of a plant in order to create branching further down
Pinnate
Leaflets arranged opposite each other on a stem
Pistil
Female reproductive organs of a plant
Planter
A machine or mechanism that plants seeds instead of a person
Plat
Area of land
Pleach
Stems that interlink to form a barrier
Plinth
Like a pedestal
Podium
Like a plinth or pedestal but not necessarily for a statue
Pollard
Cut down a plant in order to manipulate new growth
Pollination
The movement of pollen through the reproductive parts of a plant. Key factor for reproduction
Pot Ready Plant
A plant ready to be planted in a pot
Potting Soil
A soil mix perfect for potted plants
Pricking Out
Moving seedlings from a shared container to their own space
Privy Garden
A private garden
Promenade
Paved walkway
Propagation
New plants from parts of the existing plant
Pruning
Cut away undesired parts of a plant for growth or aesthetics
Public Park
An open grassy area intended for public use
Pumice
A light rock. Used in skincare
Q
Quarantine
Separate plants from one another and prevent cross contamination
R
Raceme
Flowers on a stem on stalks of equal length at either side
Rake
Collects loose grass and debris when pulled over a lawn
Relative Humidity
The level of moisture in the air. If the air cannot maintain the level, it appears as dew
Repotting
Moving a plant from one pot to another
Rhizome
An underground root that sprouts at horizontal increments like a water out of holes in a hose
Rill
A small, thin stream that can be put into a garden
Rock Garden
A small area of rocks and, sometimes, plants. Low maintenance
Root
What grounds a plant and gives stability. Also the means by which they receive nutrients from the soil
Root Ball
Roots balled up
Root-bound
Roots also balled up but as a consequence of being placed in too small and environment. Can be transplanted but growth may be stunted
Rooting Hormone
A way of encouraging plants to grow separate offcuts from roots or stems
Rootstock
Impacts traits such as a plant's height
Rosarium
Rose garden
Rosette
Shaped like a rose but from manmade materials. Awarded to winners and runners-up in competitions
Runner
Grows from a plant's base
S
Sacred Grove
An area with vegetation that holds some religious connotations
Sap
Sticky, sugary liquid from plants
Scarification
Cutting a seed casing in an effort to speed up germination
Scion
A young twig cut to be added to rootstock
Seed
That from which plants grow
Seedling
A plant that has just started to grow
Self Seeder
Plants that only need to be sown once and will continue to spread seeds and grow
Shears
Large scissor-like tool for cutting plants
Shoot
A growth from the primary stem
Side Shooting
Growing from the side of the stem, often used with plants that bear fruit
Single Flower
A plant with one flower from the stem such as a daisy
Soil pH
The level that defines whether soil is acidic or alkaline
Spade
For digging large holes. Also known as a shovel
Spore
Reproductive cell
Staking
Providing sturdy support for a plant by driving wood into the ground next to it
Stewpond
For keeping fish
Stolon
A runner that roots at different points along itself
Stratification
Replicate cold weather in order to prepare seeds before planting
Strimmer
For cutting the harder to reach borders of a lawn
Stroll Garden
Of Japanese origin, includes a path and often a small pond. The placement of the path is the focal point
Succession Cropping
Utilising growing season by changing planting methods to increase supply. Requires adequate space and time
Sucker
Independent of the primary stem but a formed plant
Sundial
Used to tell the time by shadow placement. Now ornamental
Systemic
To have a system in place
T
Tap Root
The main root from which others splay out from
Tender Plants
Plants vulnerable to certain temperatures
Tendril
Parts of plants that allow them to cling on to structures
Terrace
Another name for a patio
Terracotta
A type of clay that is often incorporated into decorative garden features
Thatch
A straw covering
Thinning
Remove the excess from a plant
Tilth
To cultivate or prepare soil
Top-Dress
Layering levels of a lawn to maintain one steady level and improve general quality of both soil and grass
Topiary
Shaped hedges
Topsoil
A layer of soil over the existing one in your garden
Transpiration
The changing of water to vapour through travelling to the underside of a plant’s leaves
Transplanting
Moving a plant
Treillage
Trellis like design but meant for vines to entwine through
Trellis
A wooden fencing-type structure. Often is a lattice design
Trowel
Small hand tool for digging
Tuber
Used for plants to survive ‘unnatural’ weather conditions. Modified to store extra nutrients
Tufa
A porous rock
U
Umbel
A single plant with several flowering heads on offshoots of the same length. The offshoots spread out to look like a dome
Underplanting
Fill the area around a tall plant (such as a tree) with smaller plants that require less space
Urn
Large, stylish pottery that can be used for plants
V
Variegated
When leaves contain two separate colours
Vault
A covering for an area that uses arches on more than one side
Ventilation
Getting fresh air to plants to help growth
Vermiculite
A mineral that expands in heat
W
Waterlogged
Overwhelmed by the volume of water. Common with lawns in rainy places with insufficient drainage
Water-pump
Circulates air through standing water
Weathering
When rocks are eroded or broken down by wind and rain
Weed
An unwanted plant
Wheelbarrow
A container on wheels for moving large quantities around the garden
Whip
A thin branch with no leaves or flowering
Wilderness
When a garden is neglected and becomes overgrown
Wilt
When unsuitable weather conditions cause leaves to wither
Winter Garden
A garden with plants used to growing in wintery conditions
Wire
Can be used in fencing or enclosures
Wrought Iron
Commonly used for large, decorative gates
X
Xerophyte
Plants, such as cacti, that grow in regions with little water
Xystus
Roman. Open air terrace for walking
Y
Yew
A type of tree
Yield
Producing something such as a crop. Term used for crops we eat
Z
Zinc
Nutrient found in fertilisers
Zygote
A diploid cell
Submit a term
Help us expand our glossary by submitting terms we may have missed. Please fill out the form below and we'll review your term. Thank you.