Garden Terminology 101: A Guide for Beginners

From perennials to pollination and more, two gardening experts break down the meaning behind some popular gardening phrases and terms.

Whether you’re a seasoned green thumb or a plant rookie, understanding key garden terminology is crucial. “Knowing basic gardening terms makes it easier to ask for advice or discuss your progress with your gardening friends,” explains Christopher Landercasper, the Director of Farming Operations for the Sonoma’s Best Hospitality Group. “Plus, it helps ensure you are employing the right methods when gardening.”

So, what should you do when you can’t decipher the meaning behind a common phrase? For starters, horticulturist Amy Enfield of Bonnie Plants recommends looking it up in a good gardening book—or when all else fails, try Google. “Some general gardening books have a glossary of terms in the back of the book for quick reference,” she says. “Or you can look it up online.” You can also check in here: We asked Enfield and Landercasper to explain some basic garden terminology, and here’s what they had to say…[/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space][vc_column_text]