Seasonal display Flashcards
In the context of seasonal displays describe what is meant by ‘bedding’.
Bedding plants provide a temporary decorative seasonal display for beds, borders, containers and hanging baskets.
Bedding displays may be formal (e.g. closely planted blocks of colour in neat, symmetrical patterns), or informal (e.g. to brighten up front of border or fill bare soil under roses)
e.g. dahlias, geraniums, salvia splendens
In the context of seasonal displays describe what is meant by ‘hardy’.
Give two plant examples.
Hardy annuals (HA) can be sown outdoors directly into the soil in autmum or early spring where they are to flower. They withstand frosty conditions without protection. Can survive to -5 degrees Celsius. Autumn sowings may need protection from hard frost but will flower earlier than spring sowings.
e.g. Calendula officinalis (pot marigold), Limnanthes douglasii (poached egg plant).
Hardy biennials (or short-lived perennials grown as biennials) (B) complete their life-cycle in two seasons.
e.g. Erysimum (wallflower) and Myosotis (forget-me-not).
In the context of seasonal displays describe what is meant by ‘half-hardy’.
Give two plant examples.
Half-hardy annuals (HHA) are frost-tender (cannot tolerate temperatures below 0C) and complete their life-cycle in one season. If grown from seed they are generally sown indoors and grown on and planted out after last frost.
e.g. cosmos, tagetes and nicotiana,
Half-hardy perennials (HHP) live for several years, usually flowering from the second season. Frost-tender, and often discarded at the end of the season, yet they can be overwintered if given frost protection.
e.g. Pelargonium (geranium), lobelia, Heliotropium arborescens ‘Marine’
In the context of seasonal displays describe what is meant by ‘tropical’.
Give two plant examples.
Tropical plants provide contrast, foliar interest and sometimes stunning flowers. Should be overwintered in a greenhouse.
e.g. Musa basjoo (Japanese banana), Canna indica
In the context of seasonal displays describe what is meant by ‘edging’.
Give two plant examples.
Edging plants are a single or double row of low, neat plants which provide definition to a bed.
e.g. Lobelia erinus, Thymus vulgaris
In the context of seasonal displays describe what is meant by ‘groundwork (infill)’.
Give two plant examples.
Groundwork (infill or carpet) plants form the greatest area of a bed and tend to be quite low growing.
e.g. Salvia splendens, Antirrhinum majus
In the context of seasonal displays describe what is meant by ‘dot plant’.
Give two plant examples.
Dot plants are focal point plants which add height and drama.
e.g. Allium, Verbena bonariensis
Explain the term ‘hybrid vigour’
Hybrid vigour describes the following in F1 hybrid plants:
- improvement in growth and yield
- increase in disease and pest resistance
Explain the importance of F1 hybrid plants
F1 hybrids are the first filial generation of pure parent plants (from distinctly different parent types)
They:
- select qualities which make the plant more commercially viable e.g. higher yield, increased disease and pest resistance, scent
- are often more vigorous than either parent plant
- give uniformity e.g. growth rate, height and colour, therefore can give accurate description of how plants grown from F1 seed will look
Give FOUR examples of F1 hybrids
- Petunia F1 ‘Pearly Queen’
- Nicotiana F1 ‘Super Hybrid’
- Digitalis Camelot Series
- Helleborus orientalis F1 ‘Amber Queen’
Describe the preparation for hardy annual border
Preparation for HA border includes:
- choosing open, sunny site with well drained soil, preferably south facing
- Clearing weeds, annual and perennial
- If necessary dig over in autumn.
- In spring tread over to firm soil and rake level.
- Improve soil with compost, well-rotted manure or complete food such as blood, fish and bone. Inorganic fertilizer such as Growmore may be added during final raking at rate of 60g/m2)
Describe the sowing of hardy annual border
- mark out sowing areas with dry sand
- Sow seeds in either:
- drills placed 30-45cm apart, 1cm deep. Sow seed thinly and evenly, cover and firm. Thin seedlings to final spacings. Allows identification of weed seedlings.
- broadcast sow, rake in and firm.
- Station sowing for large seeds - holes at regular spacing, 2-3 seeds per hole
Describe the planting of hardy annual border
HAs can be purchased as plug plants
- Choose cool, cloudy day for planting
- Harden off prior to planting
- Water well few hours before planting
- position plants then plant at same depth as pot
- firm in and water
Describe the preparation of a border for seasonal bedding
- Remove previous bedding scheme
- Single dig to loosen and aerate soil.
- Firm soil by treading and rake level before planting
- During final preparation add either:
- Organic feed e.g. fish, blood and bone
- Inorganic fertiliser e.g. Growmore at 60g/m2
Describe the planting of a border for seasonal bedding
- For formal bedding schemes mark out design on surface with sand
- Lay plants on soil where to be planted, spacing evenly. Only plant when happy with position of plants
- Two approaches to planting:
- Plant edge first, then remaining plants 20-30cm apart depending on type
- Plant centre/back (island/bed by hedge) first, then work backwards to edges
- Work off timber board to avoid compacting soil
- Plant so top of root ball just below soil, firm in
- Water well
- Grass edges should be trimmed and debris removed
