Seasonal Displays

Question 1

H1a

Answer 1

Over 15 degrees
Heated tropical greenhouse
Under glass all year

Question 2

H1b

Answer 2

10-15 degrees
Subtropical heated greenhouse
Perform better under glass year round but can be grown outside in summer in hotter, sheltered locations.

Question 3

H1c

Answer 3

5-10 degrees
Heated greenhouse - warm, temperate
Can be grown outside in summer
E.g. bedding plants, tomatoes

Question 4

H2

Answer 4

1-5 degrees
Tender - cool or frost free greenhouse
Tolerant of low temps but not being frozen.
Can be grown outside once risk of frost is over
E.g. bedding plants

Question 5

H3

Answer 5

1 to -5 degrees
Half hardy - unheated glasshouse, mild winter
Hardy except in severe winters and sudden early frosts.

Question 6

H4

Answer 6

-5 to -10
Hardy - average winter
May suffer foliage damage and stem dieback in hash winters in cold gardens
Herbaceous and woody plants

Question 7

H5

Answer 7

-10 to -15
Hardy - cold winter
Herbaceous perennials

Question 8

H6

Answer 8

-15 to -20

Hardy - very cold winter

Question 9

H7

Answer 9

Less than -20

Very hardy

Question 10

Bedding plants

Answer 10

Plants that make a temporary show.
E.g. hardy bulbs, hardy and half hardy annuals, and tender shrubs
Usually taken to mean plants that make a splash of colour in summer

Question 11

Annual plant

Answer 11

Completes its life cycle in 1 year
Hardy annual able to withstand frost
Annuals and half hardy annuals are often very colourful.
Useful to provide temporary infill between shrubs or provide instant effect in new garden.
Invaluable for tubs, planters and window boxes

Question 12

Half hardy annual

Answer 12

Unable to withstand severe frost so need protection.

Tender perennials that are often discarded at the end of the season are included in this section.

Question 13

Tropical plants

Answer 13

Originates from tropical or sub tropical climate.

Term is sometimes used for plants with a tropical appearance. E.g. canna and cordyline

Question 14

Edging plants

Answer 14

Used round the edge of a display

Question 15

Groundwork (infill) plants

Answer 15

Those that infill the bed, providing a background against which to set off dot plants.

Question 16

Dot plants

Answer 16

Those dotted around to provide contrast to groundwork plants.
Taller and showier that groundwork plants.

Question 17

F1 hybrids

Answer 17

Result of cross breeding to produce plants with a mixture of physical characteristics inherited from the 2 parents
1st generation of plants from pure bred parents.
All characteristics of the new plants are predictable and the same.
New plants often have increased vigour - hybrid vigour to cope with adverse environmental conditions.

Question 18

Preparation of annual border

Answer 18

Prepare soil by cultivation , consolidation and raking to produce a seed bed.
Avoid the use of nitrogenous fertilisers and this will promote leaf growth.
For hardy annuals sown direct mark out areas with dry silver sand.
Seed can be broadcast, sown in drills or station sown.
Seeds will take 2-3 weeks to germinate and should be thinned according to variety.
Any gaps can be filled with surplus seedlings
Support taller growing annuals at this stage
Take care to not allow weed seedlings to become established.
Normally require little attention once established.
Deadheading prolongs flowering
Can collect seed for future years.

Question 19

Summer bedding displays

Answer 19

Bedding should be planted into prepared, weed free soil after risk of frost has passed.
Generally purpose fertiliser cam be raked I to soil before planting, although avoid high nitrogen.
Newly planted plantsay need watering.
Taller plants may need support.
Deadheading can extend flowering
Weed as part of routine maintenance.

Question 20

Spring bedding

Answer 20

Planted in autumn as summer bedding cleared

Often includes biennials, spring flowering bulbs

Question 21

Summer containers and hanging baskets

Answer 21

Choose plants that flower over long period and respond well to deadheading.
Don’t plant up until risk of frost has passed.
Often plant tender perennials and annuals.
For summer containers a structural plant can enhance the display.
Combine plants that have similar requirements.
Benefit of being able to move them into prime spot when look their best
Hanging baskets provide colour at eye level.

Question 22

Planting a container or hanging basket

Answer 22

A standard wire basket needs to be lined with cardboard, fibrous liner or moss with 1.5cm layer. Then half fill basket with compost.
Multipurpose compost is fine.
Consider using water retaining granules to reduce need for watering
Add controlled release fertiliser.
Arrange plants starting with those round the side first.
Fill with compost as the plants go in.
Water well

Question 23

Maintenance of hanging basket and containers

Answer 23

Water every day unless compost is wet.
Apply liquid fertiliser
Deadhead regularly

Question 24

Winter containers and baskets

Answer 24

Plant between sept and Oct
Ensure plants are frost hardy
Plants don’t grow much in winter so start with enough good size plants
Position where it will get as much light as possible.
Water if needed
No need to feed
Raise containers off the ground to aid drainage and prevent pots cracking and freezing.
Choose frost resistant containers

Question 25

Pest and disease control

Answer 25

Monitoring for signs should be part of aftercare

Problems may be aphids, slugs, snails, vine weevils, grey mould and powdery mildew.