Glossary

Annual - a plant that completes its life cycle (germination, flowering, seeding, dying) in one growing season

Breaking bud - the stage of growth when a bud bursts through the protective bud scales

Broadcast sowing - scattering seeds evenly over the ground rather than in furrows or drills

Contact weedkiller - a weedkiller that kills by direct contact

Deciduous - describes plants that shed leaves at the end of the growing season and renew them at the beginning of the next

Drill - a narrow, straight furrow in the soil in which seeds are sown or seedlings planted

Evergreen - describes plants that retain most of their leaves throughout the year

Foliage - leaves

Germination - the physical and chemical changes that take place as a seed starts to grow and develop into a plant

Hardy - able to withstand year-round climatic conditions including frost, without protection

Medium - a growing mixture or other material in which plants may be grown

Organic matter - composts or similar materials derived from plant material

Perennial - any plant living for at least three years (annual = 1 year, biennial = 2 years)

Rootball - the roots and accompanying soil when a plant is removed from a container or lifted from the ground

Rosette - a cluster of leaves radiating from approximately the same point, often at ground level

Seedling - a young plant that has developed from a seed

Systemic / translocated weedkiller - a weedkiller that is absorbed and distributed through a plant when applied to leaves

Tilth - a fine crumbly surface layer of soil produced by cultivation

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