WE NEED TO TALK

"Snowball" Tanacetum

 Garden writer Jeff Cox once wrote a statement of how using common plant names can be a cause of confusion.  He was referring to an article that appeared in a leading garden magazine about ferns.  The tag of "maidenhair fern" was commonly used in the pictures of four vastly different ferns.  He stated that because these ferns are quite different in appearance, degree of cold hardiness and growing requirements, readers should be sure they use the correct botanical name when searching for the species appropriate for their growing region.

His Letter to the Editor set off a barrage of comments from gardeners, professors of horticulture and professional landscapers in agreement that has continued for several years.  Eventually an Editor's response appeared agreeing that proper  ID was needed to clarify species but that too, can have flaws often caused by the renaming of the genus.

"Snowball" Buddleia

One landscaper and nursery owner cited how difficult it was to work with clients who use only common names.  In the South "monkey grass" could refer to one of two genera: Ophiopogon spp or Liriopes spp.  In coastal North Carolina "grandfathers gray beard" could refer to a low-growing juniper, Juniperus spp or fringe tree, Cibranthus virginicus.

One gardener had waited many years to have a garden of her own which included a plant she loved called "snowball".  She wrote that it took four tries before she found the plant she originally wanted, which was the Chinese snowball,  Viburnum macrocephalum.   A lesson was learned the hard and expensive way that a change in growing regions also includes a highly probable change in common names.

"Snowball" Hydrangea

The subject of common name vs botanical name is an on-going topic in the more in depth garden magazines.  Which brings ME to US.  As a group of interested gardeners and Master Gardeners, should we be trying harder to list the botanical name along with the common name in our communications?  I know I haven't paid as much attention to the issue as I probably should.

Writing the botanical names will be easier than pronouncing them in conversation.  I did find an extensive pronunciation guide on the Rainy Side Garden website.

Fine Gardening magazine features a pronunciation guide in the back pages for the varieties mentioned in their articles.  They also feature a current invasive plant chart.  American Gardener also includes a guide for all varieties featured in each issue.

I couldn't help myself.  I went to the magic machine and searched for a published book of botanical pronunciations.  The book that looks to be the most inclusive and the most authoritative is titled "Plant Names Simplified, 3rd Edition".  The authors are Johnson, Smith and Stockdale.  The first first edition was published in the 1930's, the latest edition was published in 2018.  Of course I had to order it.  It will be placed next to a book I reference many times, "Plant Names Explained" published by Horticulture Publications in 2005.

"Snowball"  Viburnum

Plant Names Explained is a plethora of definitions relating to flower color, shape, origin, growing habitats, scents, and patterns and markings.  It is the type of book that you intend to reference one item and end up turning the pages for several hours.  It is like eating peanuts, you can't stop.

Be sure to listen to the Gardening: Get Good at It "Save by Starting Vegetables from Seed" segment on Tues Feb. 16 on KPOV 88.9 FM between 9-9:30 am.