Understand the choice of plants for seasonal display and their establishment and maintenance

Question 1

Describe in the context of seasonal displays, what is meant by the terms: bedding, hardy half-hardy, tropical, edging, groundwork (infill), dot plant; give TWO plant examples for each

Answer 1

State what is meant by seasonal displays including when the plants can be planted out.

The terms hardy and half-hardy should be defined in relation to temperature tolerance (either in degrees celsius or zones as well as plant husbandry

Question 2

What is meant by seasonal display?

Answer 2

Normally refers to an area which is changed at least twice a year to provide colour via flowers or foliage for as much of the year as possible.

It is often achieved by planting annual bulbs and biennials that have been grown off-site until they are close to flowering.

Question 3

What are bedding plants?

Two examples

Answer 3

Fast-growing, temporary and seasonal display for beds, borders and containers / often used for blocks of flower and foliage colour and / typically has a shorter lifespan / or perennial but frost-tender

Lobelia erinus ‘Cambridge Blue’ / Tagetes patula ‘Honeycomb’

Question 4

What is meant by the term hardy

Answer 4

Hardy plants can withstand normal winter conditions in the UK without protection

Different levels: frost-hardy plants can withstand temperatures to -5 / Fully hardy plants can withstand temperatures to -15 (at least below -5)

Calendula officinalis / Nigella damascena ‘Miss Jekyll’

Can be sown outside in March / overwintered without protection

Question 5

What is meant by the term half-hardy

two examples

Answer 5

Half-hardy can survive to 0 / cannot withstand frost

Nicotiana alata / Antirrhinum majus ‘Montego Pink’

Seeds can be either sown outside and planted out when all sign of frost has gone / or sown outside when signs of frost has gone

Generally it will not lost outside in winter / perennials will need protection over winter

Question 6

What is meant by the term tropical

Two examples

Answer 6

Informal type of summer bedding using species percieved as tropical in appearance even if not truly tropical / often will have flamboyant foliage or flowers / could be used as dots?

Design term rather a description of origin / plants that create a lush, jungle feel / often chosen for foliage, shape and colour

Ricinus communis / Canna indica

Will be tender plants will need to be planted out and brought back in when danger of frost has gone and starts / kept in warm conditions over winter

Capable of rapid growth

Question 7

What is meant by the term edging?

Two examples

Answer 7

Low (lower than main groundwork) plants used around the edges of the beds to provide a vlear border / single or double row to frame a display of seasonal bedding

Bellis perennis / Lobelia erinus ‘Cambridge Blue’ / Lobularia maritima / Viola x wittrockiana / Begonia semperflorens

Tor bring definition and sense of structure to the design / therefore often in contrasting colour or texture

Question 8

What is meant by the term groundwork (infill)

Two examples

Answer 8

Mass planting on the same plant designed to make a block of colour / main bulk of the planting scheme

Erysimum cheiri / Salvia splendens / Pelargonium zonale

Mass planting reduces level of weeding

Question 9

What is meant by the term dot plant?

Two examples

Answer 9

Give focal interest by providing height and scale to the surrounding groundwork / break up the groundwork by using different texture of foliage or flower colour / feature plants in a bedding design

For winter and spring bedding dot plants need to have winter interest, architectural form and in most instances be evergreen

Can be used to add an accent or contrast to the rest of the planting, bringing in more definition

Cleome spinosa / Canna indica / Dahlia ‘Bishop of Oxford’ / Fuchsia ‘Thalia’

Question 10

Planting times for spring and summer seasonal bedding

Answer 10

Spring bedding is planted out in October and removed in May (plants used in spring bedding must be hardy and able to withstand -10C)

Summer bedding is planted out from late May and removed in October (plants used in summer bedding are usually half hardy and able to withstand 0C).

Question 11

Explain the importance of F1 hybrid plants and the term ‘hybrid vigour’

State 4 specific plant examples

Answer 11

Significance of hybrid vigour and uniformity of grwoth rate, height and colours

Question 12

What are F1 hybrids?

What is hybrid vigour?

4 examples

Answer 12

Largely annual and vegetable cultivars / produced by crossing two stable seed lines (inbred lines) that give rise to especially uniform progeny that possess good vigour, yield and other properties / uniform size / uniform colour / large flowers / longer flowering period

Greater size and vigour of flowers or produce due to the phenomenon of hybrid vigour (heterosis). Hybrids are more robust and better able to overcome adverse growing conditions

Heterosis is the improved or increased function of any biological quality in a hybrid offspring / an offspring is heterotic if its traits are enhanced as a result of mixing the genetic contributions of its parents

Solanum lycopersicum ‘Sungold’ F1 / Helianthus annus ‘Harlequin’ F1 / Gazania splendens ‘New Day Mix’ F1 / Antirrhinum majus ‘Purple Twist’ F1

Question 13

Name 10 plants suitable for growing in a hardy annual border suitable for planting in a variety of garden situations

Answer 13

1. Lathyrus odoratus
2. Calendula officinalis
3. Nigella damascena ‘Miss Jekyll’
4. Centaurea cyanus
5. Limnanthes douglasii
6. Borago officinalis
7. Lavatera trimestris
8. Salvia viridis
9. Eschscholzia californica
10. Ammi majus

See slides for 2111

Question 14

Name 10 plants suitable for summer bedding displays

Answer 14

1. Lobelia erinus ‘Cambridge Blue’
2. Petunia x hybrida (Carpet series)
3. Salvia splendens
4. Tagetes petula ‘Honeycomb’
5. Cosmos bipinnatus ‘Purity’
6. Antirrhinum majus ‘Montego Pink’
7. Begonia semperflorens (Cultorum Group)
8. Impatiens walleriana (Super Elfin Series)
9. Lathyrus odoratus
10. Senecio cineraria ‘ Silver dust’

See R2111

Question 15

Name 5 plants suitable for spring bedding displays, including TWO bulbs (or corms or tubers)

Answer 15

1. Muscari armeniacum
2. Crocus tommasiniansus
3. Primula vulgaris
4. Erysimum cheiri
5. Myosotis sylvatica
6. Narcissus ‘Tête-à-tête’

Question 16

Name 10 plants suitable for summer display in containers or hanging baskets

Answer 16

1. Fuchsia ‘Thalia
2. Lobelia erinus ‘Cambridge Blue’
3. Pelargonium zonale/
4. Salvia splendens
5. Begonia Sempeforens (Cultorum Group)
6. Petunia x hybrida (Carpet series)
7. Tropaeolum majus
8. Lysimachia nummularia
9. Calendual officinalis
10. Dichondra argentea ‘Silver Falls)

Question 17

Name 5 plants suitable for winter display om containers or hanging baskets

Answer 17

1. Ajuga reptans
2. Buxus sempervirens
3. Crocus chrysanthus
4. Hedera helix
5. Viola x wittrockiana ‘Deltini Rose Pink’
6. Cyclamen coum
7. Erica carnea

Question 18

Describe the soil or growing media preparation, sowing (H.A border) or planting out of plants for seasonal display for bedding and hanging baskets/containers

Answer 18

Seasonal displays to include Spring bedding, summer bedding and hardy annual borders

To include:

Preparation of annual borders and seasonal bedding displays

1. removal of previous bedding
2. soil cultivation,
3. marking out,
4. sowing methods for HA to include station sowing, drills and broadcasting, thinning and planting);

growing media, liners and additives for hanging baskets and containers;

choice of container; filling and planting of hanging baskets and containers (depth, spacing), watering

Question 19

Describe how to prepare the soil for a hardy annual border

Answer 19

1. remove previous bedding (compost) / remove any weeds and debris from the bed
2. Add fertiliser/organic material/lime/grit/sand per dosing instructions t
3. cultivate the soil to produce a fine tilth (assumed already single/double dug) - fork the bed over to the depth of the fork / rake to level the surface / walk over the surface to remove large air pockets / rake again to level the surface and loosen the surface level soil

Question 20

Why prep soil?

Answer 20

Opens soil structure and reduces compaction so more air to plant roots

Opportunity to add soil ameliorants to boost fertility/nutrients

Makes the soil easier to plant in

Question 21

Examples of soil ameliorants

Answer 21

Organic material - compost / coir / well-rotted manure / leaf mould (boosts nutrition, improves soil structure, increases drainage on wet soils, moisture retention on dry soils)

Fertilisers - slow/controlled release pellets / blood / fish / bone / single nutrient compounds / growmore (boost nutrition only - doesn’t improve structure)

Lime - raises pH levels of acidic soils to favour some plants

Grit/sand (also perlite/vermiculite in container planting) - improves drainages without adding nutrition / labour intensive / especially suitable for alpine/rock gardens

Question 22

Describe sowing/planting out of a hardy annual border

Answer 22

Sowing

1. Sow directly in soil in March - May- check packets
2. Mark out areas to to be sown - understant the space the plants will grow to / look at packet guidelines
3. Sow seeds: Station sowing: sow seed singly or in multiples at individual stations / Drills: sow seeds in rows in shallow drills / check depth / may want curving/wavy drills for flowers / Broadcast: scatter seed evenly over an area / firm in with rake (hard to tell what is a weed) -
4. Cover / label and keep moist
5. Once 2-3 pairs of true leaves have formed they can thinned our or moved to fill gaps / pinch out weaker seedlings
6. Add supports before needed / deadhead to prolong flowering

Planting

1. Place plants in final position - check distance guidelines and check looks okay before planting
2. Dig planting hole to match the size of the root ball
3. Place plant in hole matching soil level as grown
4. Backfill planting hole and firm soil around the root ball

Question 23

Describe soil prep, sowing/planting out for summer bedding display

Answer 23

1. Started off inside and plant outside when risk of frost has passed (around May)
2. Will need to harden the plants off before planting outside
3. Soil prep as previously described
4. For formal beds mark out the design on the surface using fine sand (or indeed informal designs - put out plants in pots to check happy with positioning first and pleasing to eye - allow space for growth)
5. Loosen plants from pot and knock out by tapping bottom - handle plants by leaves or rootballs
6. Work off a timber board to avoid distrubing and compacting the soil
7. Plant as previously described so rootball is just below surface
8. Firm in
9. Water regularly
10. Deadhead prolong flowering

Question 24

Describe soil prep, sowing/planting out for a spring bedding display

Answer 24

Can incorporate spring bulbs and biennials

1. Sown in seedbeds/drills in may-july
2. prepare soil as previously described
3. Thin out and/pot on depending what growin in
4. Transplant to final flowering position in autumn when 4-5cm high - planted and placed as previously described
5. Plant bulbs per packet instructions

Question 25

How to create and plant hanging baskets

Answer 25

1. Choose hanging basket type from traditional metal , woven cone baskets or eco-friendly self-water plastics

2. Choose an odd number of plants according to container size - natural looks
3. Ensure the basket is lined with basket liner or sphagnum moss / if liner is permeable add a disc of plastic to the bottom of the inside
4. Half-fill with good quality compost - lightweight, soil-less compost
5. Add water retaining granules and slow release fertilisers for strong growth
6. Insert trailing plants through the sides / wrap paper around roots balls and push through the holes/ cover with compost and firm gently
7. Plant the top of basket with upright plants in the centre and trailing around sides
8. Fillg gaps with compost and water well to settle into place

Containers to suit style of garden / type of compost e.g. to suit plant e.g. if need acidic but follow rules above / plant to specified depth and spacing according to plant instructions / water well (will dry out more) / feed regularly after compost has been spent

Question 26

How to prepare create and plant containers

Answer 26

Focal points / frame doorway or view / year round display / plants that don’t thrive in your ground soil / courtyards, balconies where no soil

Prepare (apply to hanging baskets too)

1. Ensure container is clean
2. Ensure it has adequate drainage - add if not
3. Decide on compost (hanging baskets soil-less as lighter, containers soil-based as retains nutrients better and support larger plants
4. Add slow-release fertiliser to avoid feeding frequently

Types, choice and shapes of containers

pots / window boxes / hanging baskets

terracotta / plastic / reconstituted stone / wood

pot / tub / bowl / urn

1. Choose size and type of container according to the style of your garden and the size of your plant to ensure unity and cohesion e.g terracotta, lightweight plastic pots for balconies
2. Soil-based compost for permanent plantings such as trees and shrubs - retains water, heavy enought to stabalise pot and revitalise in spring (top dressing - removing top layer and replacing with new compost and slow release fertiliser)
3. (Bedding plants annuals can be grown in multi-purpse compost, whic can be replaced each season)

How to plant

1. Ensure adequate drainage holes in the containers - make them if necessary
2. Add a layer of drainage material like broken terracotta pots ‘crock’ - being careful not to block planting hole
3. Pot feet may also help allow excess water to drain
4. Fill pot with compost / leaving 5cm gap below rim to prevent water and compost spilling over during watering / Mix in a granula fertiliser now also before positioning and planting (to appropriate depth) the plants
5. Firm them in gently and water well
   6.

Question 27

Describe the routine maintenance of seasonal bedding, including control of weeds and common pests and diseases (aphids, slugs and snails, vine weevil, grey mould, powdery mildew (for situations listed 1.3-1.7

Answer 27

Appropriate seasonal maintenace tasks include: irrigations (hand watering, sprinklers and drip systems) / deadheading and feeding.

Methods of weed control include physically removing plants by hand weeding methods, controls of pests and diseases for appropriate situations

Control of ONE appropriate weed, pest and diseases for each situation

Question 28

Describe routine maintenance of seasonal beadding

Answer 28

Watering - either by hand or sprinklers or drip system

Deadhead plants to increase flowering period and to tidy the beds to keep them looking nice

Close planting should ensure minimal weeding but some will be required (e.g. by hand)

Control and monitoring of pests

Feed the plants (slow release in containers)

Question 29

Control of pest for seasonal bedding and containers

Answer 29

Question 30

Control of dieases for seasonal bedding and containers

Answer 30

Grey mould controolled by reduction in overhead irrigation and ensuring adequate air circulation

Question 31

Control of weed for seasonal bedding/containers and herbaceous borders

Answer 31

Cardamine hirsuta

Physical: regular hoeing, hand removal, dig out roots, weaken by cutting back regularly

Chemical: herbicide sprays (e.g. glyphosate) some herbicides can be selective e,g, by killing broadleaved weeds and not grass

Cultural: Use mulches, keep on top of them,