What are Ornamental Plants?
Ornamental plants include indoor and outdoor flowering and foliage plants, annuals and perennials, trees and shrubs, and turf. You’ll find ornamentals in greenhouses, landscapes, interiorscapes, homes, lawns, golf courses, athletic fields, parks, cemeteries, sod farms and nurseries. Ornamental plants are grown for both aesthetic and functional value. Healthy turf is not only an attractive groundcover; it stands up to tough use in lawns and athletic fields. Indoor plants create a warm environment and freshen the air. Landscape trees and shrubs enhance property values and can provide wind breaks, sun shade and privacy. IPM programs should preserve both the beauty and function of ornamental plants with a minimum of pesticide use and risks.
A. How about- any decorative/functional plant grown for its aesthetic (art and beauty) or functional purpose. B. EXAMPLES: lawn/turf, flowers, vines, shrubs, and trees. II. What is HORTICULTURE?? The short answer is…growing ornamental plants and food crops such as fruits, nuts, seeds, and vegies. III. Types of Ornamentals A. LAWNS AND TURF 1. advantages: a.) cover soil b.) prevents erosion, dust, and mud when it rains c.) provides aesthetic quality to home, business, football fields, golf courses, and parks 2. lawns are grasses referred to as turf grass 3. some cooler climate (da UP??) grasses, listed in table 2-1, pg. 56 are: fescues rye grass bent grass Kentucky bluegrass B. TREES and SHRUBS 1. Trees are usually taller w/ a single stem; often 20 ft.+ 2. Shrubs are usually < 20 ft. and have several woody stems. EXAMPLES: Barberry, Hemlock 3. Deciduous trees (broadleaf trees ie. oak, maple, cherry) provide shade in the summer and allow warming sun rays to warm a house after leaf-fall
Ornamental plants are plants which are grown for display purposes, rather than functional ones. While some plants are both ornamental and functional, people usually use the term “ornamental plants” to refer to plants which have no value beyond being attractive, although many people feel that this is value enough. Ornamental plants are the keystone of ornamental gardening, and they come in a range of shapes, sizes and colors suitable to a broad array of climates, landscapes, and gardening needs.
