Transcript Annual Bedding Plants

Using Plants in the Landscape
Section 7
Annual Bedding Plants
Unit 25
Objectives
• Identify four uses of annual flowers
• Design a bed layout using annual flowers
• Explain the steps in preparing the soil for
annual flowers
• List the six steps in the aftercare of annual
flowers
• Demonstrate proper transplanting
techniques for annual flowers
General Info
• Annuals are plants that complete their life
cycle in 1 year
– Starts from seeds, grows blooms, sets seed, and
dies in 1 season
• Flowering plants are more often used in
landscapes
• The market for annual bedding plants has
grown in the last 10 years
Flowering Annuals
• Create a colorful landscape
– Figure 25-2
• Flowering annuals are used to…
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Provide a mass of color around a house foundation in flower beds,
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or in front of evergreens
Fill spaces between shrub plantings or other perennials and give
color when these plants are not blooming
Provide color in bulb beds after the bulbs have bloomed
Supply cut flowers
Plant along fences or walks
Create seasonal color
Selecting Flowering Annuals
• First consider the purpose of the plant and
where it is to be planted
– Consider height
• Select plants w/ colors that will blend in
well with one another
Planting Hanging Baskets
• Baskets range from 4 to 14 inches
• Must have adequate drainage holes
• Plant 1 less plant than the size of pot
– Ex. In an 8” pot, plant 6 annuals around the
outside of the basket and 1 in the center
Planning and Designing a Flower
Bed
• Flower beds range in size and design
according to individual needs and
preferences
– Figure 25-6
Preparing the Soil
• Prepare soil in the fall
• Don’t let bed dry out completely when dug
• Before preparing new beds, test the soil for
drainage
– Dig a 10” hole and fill it w/ water; fill again the
2nd day, if all water is not gone w/in 10 hrs on
the 2nd day, drainage is a problem
Seeding
• Most annuals are seeded indoors
• Plants are set outside in the flower bed as soon as
the danger of frost has passed
• Plants that can be seeded outdoors should be sown
as early in spring as possible
• Soil should be 60 degrees before setting plants
outdoors
• Plant seedlings at about the same depth as they
were in starting container
Perennials, Ornamentals Grass,
Vines, Bamboo,
and Prairie Gardens
Unit 26
Perennials
• Perennials are plants that live from year to year
and do not require replanting
• Some bloom in 1st year but most produce larger
more attractive flowers and develop stronger root
systems
• Demand for perennials has expanded due to the
growing public interest in gardening and
landscaping and desire for plants that come back
every year
Perennial Beds and Location
• Bed should 1st be designed on paper to fit the
garden area
• Guidelines: p. 276
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Use and island bed w/ an informal-shaped
border, surrounded with a lawn area
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Use a perennial border planted along a fence or
property line as a divider
• Be sure to consider all factors; soil, light, and view
Selection
• Should be selected by personal preference,
color scheme, texture, shape, growth habit
and the microclimate of the area
• Ask advice from a professional
• Mass plants in groups of 3, 5, 9, or more for
a full appearance
Designing a Perennial Garden
• Consider; Soil, time of blooming, and
space
• Have a plant list including the colors and
varieties best suited
Soil Prep and Fertilizing
• Perennials live in the same soil for years so
soil prep is important
• Organic matter and drainage are important
• Fertilizer should be dug in at 1 foot deep
Mulching
• Creates aesthetics that enhance the
perennials
• Source of organic matter
• Helps control weeds
• Conserves moisture
• Promotes even ground temps
Ornamental grasses
• Excellent for use as accents and make
attractive edging
Vines
• Used to mask various landscape features
and create a flowing effect throughout the
garden
• Soften the appearance of walls, fences,
porches, etc.
• Effective where space is limited
Prairie Gardening
• Natives, annuals, biennials and perennials
are used
• Prairie Plants are grown informally in a
meadow environment
• Attract butterflies, songbirds and other
wildlife
• Special seed mixes are available
Narrowleaf Evergreens
Unit 27
Objectives
• Identify and plant narrowleaf evergreens in the landscape
• Differentiate between the 2 types of narrowleaf evergreen
leaves
• List 4 reasons for using narrowleaf evergreens in the
landscape
• Describe the primary purpose of a lath house
• Describe the proper fertilizer practices for narrowleaf
evergreens
• Demonstrate the proper procedure for planting narrowleaf
evergreens
• Calculate fertilizer’s 3 active ingredients of nitrogen,
phosphorus, and potassium
General Info
• Narrowleaf Evergreens are a popular
landscape plant because they remain green
year-round
• Adaptable to various soil types and weather
• Leaves can be needlelike or scale like
Uses
• Standard choice for foundation plantings
because of year-round green foliage
• Also boundary plants to accent borderlines
of property
• Also used to screen a view of a less
attractive area or
• Control air currents
Care
• Narrowleaf evergreens are grown in nurseries
• They are shipped 3 diff. Ways
– Bare root (BR)
• Shipped while seedlings
– Balled and Burlapped (B&B)
• May be moved at almost any time of the year, except when
plant has shoots or few growth or when ground is frozen
– As Container Stock (C)
• To maintain healthy plants, they should be watered
regularly and stored in a lath house
– Lath house gives protection from sun to control
transpiration
Planting Balled and Burlapped
Plants
• Holes should be 1 ½ to 2 times as large as
the ball of soil
• Ball of tree is set 1” above soil line
• Add prepared soil in and around the root
ball until covered
• When hole is 2/3 filled w/ soil, fill it w/
water and let it soak
• Finish filling the hole
Planting containerized trees
• Planted the same as balled and burlapped
trees except…
• 1) Container is removed from tree roots
• 2) after container is removed, check if the
roots are pot-bound, if yes, it is necessary to
cut the roots to encourage growth
– Pot-bound: the root ball will be excessively
tight
Staking
• Staking evergreens is important because it
gives the tree needed support to allow the
root system to become established
• A 10’ tree should be staked using 2- 5’-6’
stakes that can stay in the ground for 2 years
Fertilizing
• Fertilize 3-6 pounds of 5-10-10 per 100
square ft placed in a circle under the drip
line at the outer end of the branches
• Do so before new growth starts in the spring
• After applying fertilizer, water w/ a garden
hose sprinkler
Watering
• Need to be watered every 10 to 14 days
during the 1st year
Pruning
• Pruning individual branches give a natural
informal appearance
• Shearing is done as when shaping a hedge
– Ends of all small branches are clipped to shape
the edges of the plant in straight lines
Characteristics Listed on
Landscaping Lists
• Trees on lists are listed according to height
• Hardiness – Indicates where plant can be
grown in the US
• Foliage color – color of the plant
– Vary from light to dark green
• Period of interest – time of year which plant
is most attractive
List (cont’)
• Landscape use – indicates how a particular plant is
used in the landscape
– Ground cover – refers to plants that are used to cover
the ground (prevent erosion)
– Foundation planting – refers to plants that are used
around buildings to help accent the buildings
– Rock Garden – refers to plants used in gardens in a
rocky environment
– Specimen plants – refer to plants that are used alone for
their own beauty
– Screen plant an hedges – refer to plants that confine
certain areas
Broadleaf Evergreens
Unit 28
Objectives
• To identify the cultural requirements, planting techniques,
care, and uses of broadleaf evergreens in the landscape
• List 4 ways in which broadleaf evergreens are used in the
landscape
• List 4 cultural requirements of broadleaf evergreens
• Describe the soil and fertilizer requirements of broadleaf
evergreens
• Explain the procedure for transplanting broadleaf
evergreens
• List 3 pests that attack broadleaf evergreens and 1 control
for each
Description
• Evergreen plants (hold leaves all year) with
broad leaves rather than needlelike
Uses of Broadleaf Evergreens
• Around foundations
– Smaller-leaved evergreens
• As Specimen plants
– Individual plant, not massed
• As hedges
• Along Sidewalks
– Lead the way to a home entrance
• In woodland plantings
Cultural requirements
• Ample moisture
– Organic matter holds moisture
• Good soil drainage
– Planting can be raised above soil level
• Mulching
– Hold proper supply of moisture
– Frozen soil cannot allow roots to pick up
moisture
Cultural Requirements (Cont’)
• A location that is sheltered from strong
winds
– Cold winds and winter sun do the most damage
by removing moisture
• Enough Sunlight
– Plants grow tall and leggy w/ too much shade
– If plants do not flower well, they are probably
getting too much shade
Soil and Fertilizer
• Any good loam soil is satisfactory for most
broadleaf evergreens
• Acidic soil is best
• Use fertilizer in small amounts
• Add fertilizer in the spring
Transplanting
• Roots must always be in close contact with moist
soil
• Evergreens are moved with the root ball
– Soil is left intact around the roots and moved with the
plant
• 12-18 inches should be spaced around the root ball
• Planted at same depth or higher than were growing
before
• No soil on top of root ball
• Do not pack the soil but water gently
Pruning
• May be pruned for special effect or cut back
to thicken the plant
• Done in early spring or just after blooming
Insects and Diseases
• Insects are rarely a problem
• Fungus diseases cause the most damage
• Use a spreader sticker to apply all sprays
– Chemical added to a pesticide that causes the
spray to break into small droplets and spread
evenly
Deciduous Trees
Unit 29
Objectives
• To properly position and plant deciduous
trees in the landscape
• List the 6 functions of trees in the landscape
• Select at least 2 specific trees to fulfill each
of these six functions demonstrate the
proper planting technique for bare root,
balled and burlapped, and containerized
trees
Uses of Trees in the Landscape
• Usually serve a specific purpose in the landscape
• To provide shade – keep temps inside houses
cooler in summer and provide outdoor shade
– Can reduce summer indoor temps as much as 20
degrees
• To frame the house – make the house the center of
attention
• To soften lines – placed at the back of a home
Cont’
• Ro relieve bare spots – end walls of houses
• To screen an object – block the view of an object
• To frame a view – tall trees w/ underplantings or
small trees
• To ensure privacy –
• To accent the landscape – flowering trees
• To break monotony – should be placed off center
as to not make it appear cut in half
• As windbreaks – tall evergreens
Tree Types
• Figure 29-11 lists deciduous trees
• Grouped according to height
• Classified according to characteristics
– Form, Flowering, Color, Texture, How to
propagate, Height, Hardiness, and Ornamental
use
Classification
• Form – shape of the tree
• Flowering and Color – if and when tree
flowers and color of the blossoms
• Texture – size of the leaves
– Large leaves – coarse texture/creates boldness
– Small leaves – fine texture/ refinement
• How to propagate – way a tree is
reproduced
Classifications (cont’)
• Height – average height the tree grows
• Hardiness – ability of the tree to live in a
particular climate zone
– Influenced by temp, rainfall, and soil
• Ornamental use – common uses of the tree
in the landscape
Purchasing Deciduous Trees
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Trees can be purchased in 3 forms
Bare Root (BR)
Balled and Burlapped (B&B)
Containerized (C)
Fertilizing
• Slow release fertilizer is recommended
• Otherwise drill holes around the drip line of
the tree and apply directly into the holes
then fill the holes
Mulching
• Needed for moisture retention, weed
control, supplying organic matter, and
moderating temp
• Also improves the aesthetics of the area
• Keep mulch away from tree trunk
• Apply mulch 2/3 the distance from tree
trunk to drip line
Aftercare
• Water during dry conditions especially
during 1st year
• Never less than 1” of water at a time
– Sufficient for 1 week
Deciduous Shrubs
Unit 30
Objective
• To select, use, and care for deciduous shrubs
• Identify at least 5 deciduous shrubs
• List at least 2 uses of deciduous shrubs in the
landscape
• Explain the 3 ways deciduous shrubs are
purchased
• Outline the planting procedure for deciduous
shrubs
Uses in the Landscape
• Deciduous Shrubs are used widely in the
landscape to form borders, screens,
background plantings, and foundation
plantings
• Selected for effects created by flower color,
form, fruit, color and shape of stem, and
color and height of foliage
Factors to Consider
• Period of Interest
– Time of year which plant materials create the
most interest in the landscape
• Foliage
• Height
• Hardiness
– Low minimum temperature the plant can
endure
Purchasing Plants
• BR
• B&B
• C
Planting time
• Best time to plant BR is when in dormant
stage
• B&B and C may be transplanted any time
during the growing season – usually fall or
early spring
Planting Site
• Well-drained soil
• Site is important since deciduous shrubs are
long-lived plants
• May be fertilized in the spring
• Holes for B&B and C plants should be 3
times larger in diameter than root balls
Care of the plant
• Bacteria and Fungi cause the most diseases
• Pruning is used to thin out old or dead
wood, to shade plants, and control plant size
Rules for Pruning
1. Shrubs that bloom on wood grown the previous
season should be pruned immediately after
flowering
2. Bloom on current year’s growth pruned in fall or
early spring
3. Some shrubs require annual pruning to thin out
old wood
4. If shoots or suckers are sent up from roots or
base some of them should be removed so growth
doesn’t become too thick
Ground Covers
Unit 31
Definition
• Ground Covers are low-growing plants that
cover the ground in place of turf
• Fill in bare spots in landscapes
• Help prevent erosion
• Fill in shady areas under trees
Types of Ground Covers
• 3 types
• Broadleaf evergreens – retain leaves yearround
• Deciduous plants – lose leaves
• Narrowleaf evergreens – needlelike leaves
that retain color year-round
Uses
• Can be used in areas where soil is not
suitable for grass
• Also used for beauty they contribute
• Make great foreground plantings
• Also used between evergreens to keep soil
cool and shade roots or other plants
Questions before Selection
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In what type of soil does the plant grow best?
Is it suitable for the locality?
How is it propagated?
How long will it take for the plants to cover the
area in which they are planted?
• What is the mature height of the plant?
• Are diseases and insects a problem?
• How expensive are the plants?
Planting Ground Covers
• Spaced according to size, growth rate, and
time allowed for plants to spread
Caring for Ground Covers:
Fertilizing
• Fertilizer should be applied only as needed
to keep plant healthy
• Can be applied as a dry granular fertilizer or
a soluble fertilizer
Pruning
• Necessary only to confine the plant to the
area it is desired
Watering
• Water as needed during the 1st year
– Anytime the soil becomes dry or plants start to
wilt, apply at least 1 inch of water
Controlling Insects and Diseases
• Rarely a serious problem
Bulbs
Unit 32
Objectives
• List 4 uses of bulbs in the landscape
• Describe the soil and fertilizer used in the
flowering of bulbs
• Explain how planting depth and spacing of
bulbs are determined
• Describe how to care for bulbs after they
have flowered
• List the steps in the forcing of bulbs
Bulbs
• Word used to refer to bulbs, corms, tubers,
and rhizomes
– All are structures containing an embryonic
plant and the necessary stored food for plant
growth
Uses Of Bulbs in the Landscape
• Bulbs are most striking when they form a
massing (grouping of color)
• Not attractive in thin rows
• In wooded areas – bulbs grow well
• Some grow well w/ evergreen groundcover
More Uses
• Rock gardens are excellent places t use
flowering bulbs
• Using color masses throughout the garden
accents the areas in which they are planted
• Flowering bulbs are used to add color
around evergreen shrubs
• Also used as cut flowers
Soils
• Bulbs grow well in well-drained loamy soils
• Soil should be a neutral pH (6.0)
Planting Bulbs
• Some are planted in the fall and some in the
spring
• Each bulb has a recommended planting
depth and spacing
– Showy bed = bulbs closer spacing
• Bulbs are usually placed the same distance
apart as the planting depth
Fertilizing Bulbs
• Fertilized when planted by digging fertilizer into
bottom of the bed
– Cover w/ 1” of soil before planting
• After planting and covering w/ 2” of soil, use
special bulb food and then cover completely
• Each spring a light application of complete bulb
food (N-P-K) should be added
– 5 pounds of 5-10-5 per 100 square feet
Care After Flowering
• Bulbs should be dug up, thinned and
replanted occasionally
• Some are done annually, other 3-5 years
• When digging, use a nursery spade to gently
remove the bulb & store at 50 degrees in a
dim light
• Dust w/ a pesticide to prevent insects,
rodents, and diseases
Forcing Bulbs
Forcing plants to flower at other than their
normal season
1. Identify bulbs to use for forcing
- select large bulbs
2. Select a well-drained potting medium high in
organic matter
3. Place drainage material in the bottom of the pot
4. Place a layer of the medium in the pot, set the
bulb in and fill in around the bulb with the
growing medium so top is exposed
Forcing Bulbs (cont’)
5. Water by setting the pot in a pan of water
6. Be sure to label the pot correctly
7. Set the planted pot outside in a cold frame at a
temp. of 50 from Nov 25 until Jan 15
8. Remove the pot from the cold frame and place in
the greenhouse
- check for root development
9. Tulips bloom 5 weeks from removal from cold
frame. Other plants may require more or less
time
More on Bulbs
• Always plant bulbs at the depth prescribed
– Never plant in shallow soil
• Always plant in a well-drained soil
• Provide protection from mice
• All bulbs have planting instructions
supplied – be sure to follow directions