Garden-Pedia: An A-to-Z Guide to Gardening Terms

Praise for

Garden-pedia

"Garden-pedia does something for me that most other books do not; it takes the intimidation out of this calming, joyous hobby as well as simplifies the language of plant science and makes us a little smarter. All books should be as useful, fun and functional. I would not be without this book."

~ Dr. Allan M. Armitage, Professor Emeritus of Horticulture, University of Georgia, Athens; author of numerous books, including Armitage’s Garden Perennials; co-founder, Association of Specialty Cut Flower Growers

"Gosh we like to make it complicated, using all those botanical and Latin names. Don’t worry, Maria Zampini and Pam Bennett are here to save the day. With their new book, Garden-pedia, they have taken a sometimes confusing topic and turned it into an easy, enjoyable armchair read. These two ladies bring a wealth of down-to-earth, roll-up-your-sleeves-and-let’s-get-planting experience to the table. Help is at hand."

~ Nicholas Staddon, Director of New Plant Introductions, Monrovia Growers

Easy to read but hard to put down. Maria Zampini and Pam Bennett have made the science of horticulture easy to understand. For the professional horticulturalist, this book is a great reminder of the need to connect with consumers in a way that encourages them to garden. This book should be on every plant lover’s required reading list.

~ Michael V. Geary, CAE, President & CEO, AmericanHort

Gardening shouldn’t be complicated. If you’ve ever felt adrift in a sea of gardening terms, this book is your lighthouse. Finally, a guide to gardening that breaks down some of the most confusing terms to ‘everyday-speak’.

~ Joe Lamp’l, Executive Producer and Host: Growing a Greener World®, Founder and CEO: The joe gardener® Company

Gardening is full of jargon, whether you do it professionally or pursue it as a hobby. Maria and Pam have written an enlightening and entertaining book that sifts through the words and their meanings for the benefit of gardeners everywhere.

~ Kelly Norris, award-winning author, Horticulture Manager, Greater Des Moines Botanical Garden

Too many of us in the horticulture world get caught up in complex terminology when talking about plants and gardening, which may scare people off unnecessarily. This book is a great A-Z guide that makes turning your outdoor space into something beautiful less daunting. So don’t be afraid to try your hand at gardening; this book breaks it down into easy-to-understand terms to make it all more understandable and approachable. Happy Gardening!

~ Diane Blazek, Executive Director, All-America Selections/National Garden Bureau

"Garden-pedia is a handy and welcome reference book. The clear, jargon-free terms and accompanying photos and tips will boost the knowledge and confidence of all gardeners. Bennett and Zampini have done the gardening world a big favor with this practical reference."

~ Jon Traunfeld, Extension Specialist, University of Maryland Extension

"Leave it up to the ‘Queens of Green’ to bring both hobby and professional gardeners together, speaking and understanding the same gardening lingo. Garden-pedia is easy to read, easy to understand, and easy to use as a reference; now that’s my kind of easy reading. Well done, Maria Ann and Pamela Jean! (Don’t forget to add ‘yardening’ to Garden-pedia II.)"

~ Ron Wilson, Marketing Manager, Natorp’s, radio host of In the Garden with Ron Wilson, speaker, personal yardboy

Remind me, where are the stolon and rhizome located?

Where do I find the petiole?

"As an instructor for the Extension Master Gardener program, the hardest part of teaching is all of the garden terminology. In the past there has not been a convenient way to retrieve common-sense definitions of horticulture terms quickly and accurately. Pam and Maria have done just that with Garden-pedia!

I look forward to sharing this with all of my current Extension Master Gardeners and garden friends and incorporating it into my educational materials for future classes. Thanks to Pam and Maria, we now have a fun, convenient, and comprehensive way to learn the correct meaning of all those gardening terms we have, at times, scratched our heads and wondered, ‘What does that mean?’

~ Terri L. James, Extension Horticulturalist, Nebraska Extension Master Gardener Program, University of Nebraska-Lincoln

I have just finished a must have" book called Garden-pedia, and one that you will use as a reference book as long as you garden. Pam and Maria put it all together in a way that everyone from beginner to experienced gardener gets the information in an informative and concise way . . . I have been looking for a book like this for a long time!"

~ Stephanie Cohen, The Perennial Diva

"What a great resource! Garden-pedia is a fun, easy-to-read gardening book that serves as a valuable tool for all gardeners, from novice to trained professional. Maria and Pam are two of Ohio’s most knowledgeable experts and sought-after speakers on gardening, so this book is sure to be a hit."

~ Kevin Thompson, Executive Director, Ohio Nursery & Landscape Association

Having extensive experience in both the professional horticulture world as well as the home gardener realm, Maria Zampini and Pam Bennett join forces to serve up their collective knowledge to the rest of us. How nice that this guide gives us just what we need – an understandable and concise handbook of horticultural help.

~ Kylee Baumle, garden writer, blogger at Our Little Acre, co-author of Indoor Plant Décor: the Design Stylebook for Houseplants

"Wow! Maria and Pam are the dynamic duo of the green industry. They have a real passion for plants and we are lucky that they are putting what they know into print. It is exciting to know we will have Garden-pedia as our resource, written in terms that are user-friendly for those in the green industry, those with a green thumb, and those with a new-found love of gardening. I can’t wait to have a copy in my library!"

~ Sandy Munley, Executive Director, Ohio Landscape Association

Maria Zampini and Pam Bennett speak just the right lingo to help new and experienced gardeners understand the language of horticulture.

~ Jo Ellen Meyers Sharp, author, editor, speaker, Indianapolis Star garden columnist; Secretary, Garden Writers Association

"Garden-pedia is the perfect gift for the garden enthusiast who has everything."

~ Wes Fleming, Managing Director, Fleming’s Nurseries, Australia

"Garden-pedia is a breath of fresh air . . . a must-own manual that should be a reference guide for every single person that dabbles in the garden, to gain a broader depth and understanding of how to speak the language of gardening. Pam and Maria’s unique style makes complicated topics easy to understand and use. There are way too many sources of gardening information full of garden geek language that leaves you more confused after you read it than before you started . . . Pam and Maria’s contribution to the world of gardening is unrivaled, tireless and filled with inner passion and endless enthusiasm."

~ Mark Webber, host of Garden Talk on News95.7 WHIO, and AM 1290, Dayton, Ohio

"For the multitudes of frustrated gardeners who are befuddled by biennials, confused by cross-pollination, lost in Latin translation, mystified by micronutrients and perplexed by propagation: Garden-pedia will solve your problems! Authors Maria Zampini and Pam Bennett wade through the confusing jargon and present easy-to-understand terms for gardeners."

~ Kelli Rodda, Editor, Nursery Management magazine

Maria and Pam have bridged the gap for the home gardener to help them understand what the professionals are REALLY saying. A must-have for anyone who gardens!

~ Denise Schreiber, Mrs. Know It All of The Organic Gardeners radio show, author of Eat Your Roses . . . Pansies, Lavender and 49 other Delicious Flowers; Region 2 Director, Garden Writers Association

This cool, user-friendly garden dictionary will quickly become your go-to guide! Bravo to veteran plantswomen Maria and Pam for writing this fun, informative, concise book.

~ Tracy DiSabato-Aust, garden communicator and best-selling author

"As longtime designers and horticulturalists, we have made it a priority to keep our horticultural tech-speak understandable for the everyday gardener. But a quick glance through Garden-pedia showed us that not only were we not up to date, but there were also some critical gaps in our knowledge! We continue to learn every year and with the great guidance of this handy book, we will be doing it in style. This is a book that will appeal to all gardeners regardless of how much dirt they have under their fingernails. Now, that makes it ‘our’ kind of book!"

~ Karen Chapman and Christina Salwitz, co-authors of Fine Foliage; Karen owns Le Jardinet garden and design company, Christina is The Personal Garden Coach

I heartily endorse this book for new and experienced gardeners alike . . . The authors have created a visually appealing, clear and concise reference book. It should have a place in everyone’s library who is interested in gardening. It is noteworthy that Pam Bennett has chosen to donate half of her sales proceeds to support the Ohio State Master Gardener program.

~ Lelia Scott Kelly, Ph.D., Extension Professor of Horticulture, Consumer Horticulture Specialist, Mississippi State University Extension Service

I am impressed that the authors have created such a wonderful resource for beginning gardeners, Extension Master Gardeners, and experienced horticulturists. A valuable tool.

~ Jayla Fry, Texas Master Gardener Coordinator, Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service

"As an Extension professional I can see that we’re currently experiencing a huge resurgence in homeowners coming back to the garden and landscape. Whether it’s to grow some (or all) of their own fresh vegetables or to create a backyard habitat for that relaxing ‘stay-cation,’ gardeners of all skill levels have questions. I help to answer these questions on a daily basis. But like any industry, horticulture has a jargon all its own. Many gardeners I have spoken with have commented that there needs to be a garden dictionary/encyclopedia-type book available.

"Garden-pedia is that easy-to-read garden reference. With busy lifestyles, the home gardeners need concise, to-the-point information . . . I envision home gardeners considering Garden-pedia in the same light as sharing garden information with the authors over the backyard fence."

~ Dr. Gary R. Bachman, Associate Extension/Research Professor of Horticulture and radio and TV host of Southern Gardening; Coastal Research and Extension Center, Mississippi State University

"Garden-pedia is exactly what I have been looking for. Pam Bennett and Maria Zampini use clever illustrations and clear definitions in layman’s terms that make even the most arcane horticultural jargon understandable."

~ Lucy Bradley, State Master Gardener Coordinator and Extension Specialist, Urban Horticulture, North Carolina State University

"At last, a book in simple terms and rich in colorful graphics that is just perfect for the new gardener or for the veteran gardener who wants a handy up-to-date reference. Garden-pedia authors Pam Bennett and Maria Zampini use their wealth of horticultural knowledge and experience to explain in simple language the most common garden terms and how each term is used in the garden. Concise and with beautiful illustrations, Garden-pedia is an easy read for the novice or experienced gardener. A must-have addition for everyone’s home garden library!

I am excited to share this book with colleagues, Master Gardeners and the gardening public in Illinois!

~ Monica David, University of Illinois Extension Master Gardener Coordinator

Garden-pedia

Garden-pedia

An A-to-Z Guide to Gardening Terms

Pamela Bennett     Maria Zampini

Garden-pedia

An A-to-Z Guide to Gardening Terms

Copyright © 2015 Pamela Bennett and Maria Zampini

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced, stored, or transmitted in any form without permission in writing from the publisher, except by a reviewer who may quote brief passages for review purposes.

ISBN-13: 978-0-9892688-4-4

Library of Congress Control Number: 2014944843

CIP information available upon request

First Edition, 2015

St. Lynn’s Press. POB 18680. Pittsburgh, PA 15236

412.466.0790. www.stlynnspress.com

Design Concept – Dawn Hummel

Layout – Holly Rosborough

Editor – Catherine Dees

Editorial intern – John Gordon

Cover photo: John Lewis, JLPN, Inc.

A complete listing of photo credits for the book can be found on page 191.

Printed in Canada

On certified FSC recycled paper using soy-based inks

This title and all of St. Lynn’s Press books may be purchased for educational,

business, or sales promotional use. For information please write:

Special Markets Department. St. Lynn’s Press. POB 18680. Pittsburgh, PA 15236

10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1

DEDICATIONS

from Pam

First, this book is dedicated to my husband, Rick, who is my rock and biggest supporter. Take one thing at a time got me through some tough times! It’s also dedicated to the rest of my family, friends and colleagues who always support me no matter how crazy my ideas. To the many Master Gardener Volunteers around the world – you are an amazing group of dedicated people who not only give back to your community by teaching others about gardening, but you are always so eager to learn and are always seeking additional knowledge. To my co-author Maria – thanks for inviting me to be a part of the special adventure! And finally, this book is for my dad and mom: for Dad, who has encouraged me to write a book ever since I started writing about gardening in 1992; and for Mom, for getting me my first job in horticulture that stirred my passion. Thanks for your encouragement, Mom and Dad!

DEDICATIONS

from Maria

With much love and deep gratitude to my father, Jim Zampini, who is my business partner, best friend, mentor, cheerleader and fellow hortaholic day-in and day-out – how lucky can one girl be?!; to my mother, Margaret Zampini, for her behind-the-scenes, never-ending strength and support of both me and my family; to my family and friends (and definitely my co-author Pam Bennett), for their unselfish assistance, encouragement and belief in me, especially when I had just about lost all faith in myself; and lastly, to Paul Kelly, who gently prodded me along until I finally said yes to writing this book and making my simple idea a reality.