Ornamental Garden Plant Groups – Part 2
Friday, February 6th, 2009This is the second part of the article describing the various ornamental plant groups.
Orchids
All orchids belong to the Orchidaceae family comprising around 25,000 species and more than 70,000 hybrids. Most orchid species come from tropical rainforests and often have fleshy, aerial roots. The most popular come from Asia, though there are many wild orchids in South America. The flowers often have fantastic colour combinations.
Bromeliads
Bromeliads are mainly rainforest plants, originating from the southern states of the USA down through to South America. Their structure is usually a rosette shape, with long, stiff (often variegated) leaves and striking blooms. They can be grown outdoors in warmer climes but are more often grown as an indoor plant.
Cacti and Succulents
Cacti and succulents come a fascinating variety of shapes and this is a result of them living in adverse conditions, often prolonged periods of drought. They range from small pincushion shapes to the familiar tall branching desert cacti. They will thrive in desert gardens but are mostly grown indoors in greenhouses or as houseplants.
Palms and Cycads
Palms are evergreen trees or shrubs often with big spiky leaves and bold foliage. They range in size from dwarf shrubs to tall, unbranched trees and mainly originate from tropical and sub-tropical regions. Cycads resemble palms or tree ferns in appearance but they are not related and are primitive seed plants.
Ferns
Ferns are primitive plants that produce evergreen or deciduous fronds. They like damp, shady places and can provide elegant symmetry and texture in a garden. Tropical ferns can be grown in a greenhouse or conservatory and make great specimens. Ferns do not flower and reproduce by spores rather than seeds.
Aquatic Plants
Aquatic plants are those that grow submerged, rooted or floating in water. Many aquatic plants are both functional and ornamental. They can suppress the growth of algae and provide a habitat for microorganisms while providing attractive foliage and flowers. A wide variety of plants can be used around small ponds, natural water features or boggy habitats.
Grasses and Bamboos
Grasses and bamboos are members of a vast family of plants that grow throughout the world. A few of the grasses are commonly grown as lawns, whilst others are grown in clumps for their height and wonderful flowering spikes. Bamboos are woody-caned, perennial grasses most of which originate in tropical and sub-tropical climates. There are a few hardy varieties from more temperate regions.
Trees are usually the largest and most prominent plants in a garden and form the backdrop that will influence the selection of other plants. Trees are perennial, usually having a single woody stem, and may be evergreen or deciduous. They are found in most parts of the world and so there is a huge variety of ornamental trees and plenty of choice for most types of garden.
Shrubs are woody-stemmed perennial plants, usually free-branching from the base rather than the single stem of a tree. As with trees, shrubs can be deciduous or evergreen, but they have a breathtaking variety of ornamental features such as shape, growing habits, striking flowers, eye-catching fruit and beautiful foliage.
Climbing plants use other plants, rocks or man-made structures for support. These valuable deciduous or evergreen plants can be used to cover-up wall or fences or to provide ornamental screening. Some will have a self-clinging or twining habit whilst others will require ties or some sort of additional support.
Perennials are plants that live for two years or longer and they will flower once they are mature. The term is most commonly used to describe garden plants that die back each year after flowering and seeding, issuing new growth in the spring. They can be grown in herbaceous borders, as specimen plants or in containers.
Rock plants are a mixture of shrubs, bulbs and hardy perennials originating from mountainous regions. They grow on or among rocks and are suitable for a rock gardens. Rock plants are adapted to growing in thin, well-drained soil and at altitude. They can survive temperature extremes but not excessive wet conditions. Alpines are included in this group.
An annual plant is, as the name suggests, one with a lifespan of within one year. A biennial will normally only sport foliage in its first year, going on to flower, set seed and die the following year. These plants are free-flowering and are easy to grow from seed. They can be used as bedding plants, grown in containers or hanging baskets, or used amongst shrubs and perennials.
Bulbous plants, more commonly know as bulbs, are grown chiefly for their beautiful flowers. They originate from all parts of the world and this group also covers plants with tubers, corms and rhizomes. Bulbs usually have a long dormant period that is often spent underground. Some bulbs can provide an early splash of colour in spring, some thrive in borders whilst others make great container plants.
