Blue Hosta
A hosta with blue-green leaf color. The blue color is enhanced by a thin,
waxy coating. Early in the growing season, blue hosta will generally have
more intense blue color Many have powdery-blue color or blue-gray color
that gives a nice contrast when planted next to a hosta with light green
or medium green leaves.
Breaking dormancy
The time when a plant begins to grow in spring.
Breeding
The practice of creating new plants. New plants are created by placing
pollen from one plant onto the flower of a second plant. The resulting
seeds are planted and grown; the new plant will have characteristics
of both parents. It may take thousands of crosses over periods of many
years to achieve the desired results.
Crozier
On a fern, the young uncoiling frond. Also called a 'fiddlehead'.
Deadheading
The practice of removing spent blooms by cutting or pinching with your
fingers. Doing this will help your plants bloom longer.
Frond
A fern 'leaf' including the center stem (stipe) and other leafy segments.
Heavy substance
This term, usually describing a hosta, means that the leaves are thicker
than the "average" plant. This quality tends to make the plant more
slug-resistant and less likely to suffer damage from hot, summer winds.
Oak Leaf Mold
A good thing to use to help make a neutral soil or alkaline soil more
acidic. Simply chop up oak leaves with a weed-whacker in a metal garbage
can. Store in a container that allows air and moisture to enter. Use
(in about one to three years) when the leaves resemble fine soil.
Pinnea
On a fern, the leafy portions on each side of the center stem.
Petioles
The leaf stem of a plant extending from the crown to the base of the
leaf. Often mentioned when the stem is a different color than the leaves.
Scapes
The stem portion of a flower stalk. Usually a leafless stem; hostas
frequently have small bracts that give the appearance of "leaves".
Specimen plant
This term describes a special plant (that you may have paid a fortune
for) that you place in a prominent place in your garden. It is often
the centerpiece, and will attract oohs and aahs from your gardening
friends.
Sport
A plant that is different from the original; a mutation.
Summer dormant
Some plants like to go to sleep when weather turns hot and humid. Most
wildflowers, spring-blooming bulbs, and many spring-blooming perennials
like Dicentra fit this description. The foliage turns brown and fades
away until new growth appears next spring.
Tetrapolid
A plant with three or more complete sets of chromosomes in the cell
nuclei. Hostas normally have two sets of chromosomes. Plant breeders
often try to change the chromosome count to give the plant better characteristics,
like more substance to the flowers or a sturdier plant.