chlorophyll
A green pigment found in plant cells that is essential to photosynthesis and is formed only in the presence of light. 

cross pollination 
Mixing the pollen of one flowering plant with another to create a hybrid. 

cultivar 
A fancy name for plant tubers, rhizomes or root balls. 

disbudding 
To remove excess buds from a plant leaving the remainder to grow bigger. 

florets 
A lilac bloom is made of groups of small flowers with 4 or 5 blossoms on a single stem. Each individual flower is a floret. 

hardy 
Strong plants that are usually able to flourish outside all year round without special protection. 

heavy metals 
A high content of metallic minerals that contaminates soil, water or air and can affect normal growth in plants and animals. 

hill 
A cluster of plants or roots with a pile of earth around it. 

hybrid 
A cross between two parent plants that are from the same species but don't look exactly like each other. 

layering 
A shoot or branch of a plant which is set into the ground to take root while still attached to the parent plant. 

micro climate 
A small area that has different characteristics from the general area around it. 

mineral oil 
Any oil made from minerals. I.e.. petroleum 

oasis 
A green or brown foam used to support flower arrangements and hold moisture. 

peat moss 
The slightly decayed remains of sphagnum moss that holds a lot of moisture but has no nutrients. 

perennial 
A plant that dies down to the ground during winter and survives to grow again each spring. 

pesticides 
A chemical substance used to destroy bugs and floral diseases. 

photosynthesis 
The process of changing light into carbohydrates that plants require to grow. 

propagate 
To multiply plants by dividing roots, layering or start from cuttings. 

rooting hormone 
A chemical that encourages quicker root growth in new plants. 

rhizome 
A creeping underground stem, often thick and swollen. 

seed pods 
The hardened protective shell that contains the maturing seeds of a plant. 

silica gel 
A highly absorbent 'sand' that is used to dry and preserve flower blossoms and leaves. 

stake 
To support a plant by driving a wooden post into the ground beside it and tying it to the post. 

star florets 
A floret with a five pointed 'star' shape. 

suckers 
A shoot arising from the underground part of the plant. 

thinning 
Removal of plants materials (shoots, seedlings, flower buds or fruits) to encourage better size and quality in the remainder. 

true leaves 
The first hardy leaves, usually the second pair, on a new plant. 

tuber 
A swollen underground stem , usually with buds, for example, potato. 

vermiculite 
A mineral from the mica family which can be used as a heat insulator or mulch for plants. 

wick 
A length of fiber or cloth that feeds liquid from a reservoir to a drier end. 

zone 
A region that shares similar climatic and rainfall conditions producing similar growing seasons.