These are most often dormant plants that have either been dug out of the ground or removed from a container growing pot and had the soil removed from around the roots prior to shipping to wholesale or retail customers.
Be sure to read the instructions on your bare root plant prior to planting. It’s recommended that you soak the roots in water for a few hours in order to re-hydrate the root hairs so that they can begin to absorb water and nutrients quickly.
BARK
The external covering of the stems, branches and roots of woody plants – distinct from the wood itself.
Betula nigra (river birch)
BEDDING PLANTS
Usually referring to any plant that is produced and sold for planting in the landscape in a flowerbed or mass planting.
Historically, bedding plants were herbaceous plants (primarily annuals) that were grown to be used outdoors in flowerbeds for color. But today, the definition is broader and includes flowers, vegetables, biennials, herbs, ground covers and more.
BENEFICIALS
Insects that are desirable to have in the garden and landscape.
Wait! Don’t kill that insect! Certain insects are highly desirable in the garden and landscape as they feed on pests that can do harm to crops and garden plants. Some insects, such as bees, are necessary for pollinating plants and are an essential component of the cycle of life. Understanding which insects contribute to the overall health of your plants is critical to knowing which bugs need to be eradicated and which should be encouraged to stay. Monitor your garden to see if there are adequate beneficials; if so, let them do the work instead of using pesticides.
Ambush bug
BIENNIAL
Plants that take two growing seasons to complete their lifecycle.
In the first growing season, the biennial plant will set roots and grow leaves. Typically, the plant will grow in a rosette form (a circular arrangement of leaves that are usually near the soil), remaining short and having smaller leaves than those that will appear in the second season. The plant will go through a dormant period triggered by colder temperatures (not necessarily a defined length of time), and then, in the second year, or warm season, will send up stems and leaves, flower, become pollinated, go to seed and then die. Examples of biennials are parsley, foxglove, hollyhock, and sweet William.
BIODEGRADABLE
An object that is capable of being naturally broken down or deteriorated over time by living organisms.
Biodegradable items are often made from organic substances, such as plant or animal material, or other matter similar enough in composition to be broken down naturally. An example would be a plantable pot, a type that is made of biodegradable material and can be planted (with its plant) directly into the ground – as opposed to a plastic pot, which will not biodegrade. The breaking down process can happen with or without oxygen. Oftentimes, the term “compostable” is used interchangeably with biodegradable; this is close, but not 100-percent accurate. If something is meant to be composted, it means it goes into a compost pile to be broken down into smaller pieces. Biodegradable material does not have to go into a compost pile to break down.
BIOLOGICAL CONTROL
One component of an integrated pest management strategy (see page 76) in the garden and landscape, where a gardener focuses on reducing pest populations by using natural enemies.
Natural enemies or “beneficial” insects include predators, parasites, and parasitoids. Biological control may include surveying and scouting for beneficial insects, introducing them to the landscape, or providing shelter and food for them to thrive.
BIOTIC
A living organism.
BLOOM
The opening up of a flower bud. (Also, an increase of algae in water.)
There are good blooms and not-so-good blooms. The good blooms are those that come to mind right away: the beautiful flowers in your garden in their open and peak stage (before they start to wilt and wither away). It is the bloom of a flower that breeders strive to enhance – a larger bloom, brighter bloom or a longer lasting bloom. Don't forget that the blooms are also one of the ways that a plant attracts pollinators in order to ensure longevity of the species.
Now, should you hear a gardener say in a distraught manner that they have “bloom in their pond,” that is not a good thing. Oftentimes, bloom is used as shorthand for algae bloom. This is a condition in a body of water when the population density of algae increases, discoloring the water and making the once-clear garden pond not so attractive. Some blooms can change the color of the water to yellow-brown or red and may be hazardous to humans.
BOLT/BOLTING
When a plant goes to seed prematurely.
This does not mean that plants are going to pick up and run, as one new gardener thought! Warm weather sends some plants into the reproductive stage and seeds are produced. Bolting is common with garden crops that prefer cooler weather for optimal growth. Lettuce, spinach, beets, carrots, rhubarb, cabbage and others will produce flowers and seeds prematurely (before you have a chance to enjoy them). Other reasons that plants bolt include changes in day length and stresses such as lack of water or nutrients.
BONSAI
A Japanese art form that uses miniature trees growing in containers and combines art and horticulture.
The “art” is trying to take a large specimen tree and making it appear as a miniature living in a small container. The science is the right environment and growing needs to keep the plant alive. Bonsai is usually considered a hobby and can be very time-consuming but the results are museum-quality plants.
BORDER/BORDER PLANT
A plant that is used to define or divide the