Includes a vast array of plants that are used for aesthetic purposes. Only criteria that apply to selection of a plant is that it suits the aesthetic purpose and is relatively easy to grow. Therefore, ornemental plants can come from any plant group. However, some families contain larger numbers of ornamental taxa than others, i.e., Asteraceae, Liliaceae, Lamiaceae, Poaceae.

Considerations in selection of plants:
Color
Texture
Line - sizes or 2-dimensional outline
Form - 3 dimensional structure

Cultivated plants are often selections of bizarre forms found in nature or of hybrid origin so assignation to a particular species is often difficult. Cultivated plants are given names that are intended to appear to public "Twinkle Toes"`

NURSERY PLANTS

Trees > 10' - avenue plantings, used for flowers (color), foliage (color, texture), form, line, hardiness: Elms, maples, oaks, pears, plums, gingko, poplars, pecans, pines, junipers, spruces, firs, crepe myrtle.

Shrubs 10' - household and garden plantings, provide second layer when used with trees: Roses, boxwood, hollies, Oleander, bamboo, privet, Viburnum, Hibiscus, Lilac, Pyracantha, Azalea.

Perennials - long-lived, usually grown in beds, often number of single different plants grown together: Delphinium, Chrysanthemum, Coleus, Aquilegia, Hosta, ferns.
Bulbs: Crocus, daffodils, tulips, Iris

Annuals - Grown in beds, usually mass plantings, last part of a season and are discarded when past prime, mostly grown for floral colors but also for foliage: pansies, Petunia, marigolds, Zinnia, Salvia.

Groundcovers - mondo grass, Liriope, Ajuga

Turf grasses - emulation of English country estates, reduce local heating, prevent mud, dust, require tremendous input to maintain (mowing, fertilizer, pesticides, herbicides, water)

Herbs - plants grown for culinary purposes, will discuss in more detail in another lecture.

Native plants - even here, the monstrosities are most popular. Examples of good uses of wildflowers are the roadsides of Texas. Trends are toward incorporation of low maintenance plants - native plants are already adapted to the region - minimize inputs of fertilizer, pesticide, etc.

Florist crops - Chrysanthemum (mums), carnations, orchids, snapdragons, roses, gladiolus.

Houseplants - intended for growth in homes or greenhouses: African violets, Begonia, Wandering Jew, Jade plant, spider plant, cacti, ficus, Philodendron. Plants are often of tropical origin.

GARDENING PHILOSOPHIES

Western gardening emphasizes geometric structures, somewhat artificial and harsh, gardening as architecture.

Eastern (esp. Japanese) gardening has more naturalistic approach - framing of view, garden components are symbols of spiritual beliefs. Japanese garden at Mo Bot Gard is good example. Research park has Eastern influence.

Think about color, texture, line, & form the next time you visit a botanical garden.

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