How were the Herbaceous plants named? and learn how to raise new Herbaceous plants
Herbaceous plants have different names in different parts of the world but for the sake of standards, the Latin names are given first preference. The name will have the genus name and then the species name.
The variety name can also be used together with the species name and is normally quoted in inverted commas for example Papaver orientale Catharina. Related herbaceous plant species are grouped together under the genus name. It is quiet common to cross herbaceous plants from the same species but never cross different herbaceous species. A variety is created when members of one species (all having similar characteristics) from one variety. The majority of varieties are only able to keep their characteristics when they are propagated using division seed formation results in modifications of the genetic matter.
How to raise new herbaceous plants
Herbaceous plants are being raised in most parts of the world and each day different herbaceous plants are being made available for sale. When raising herbaceous plants one must strive to create pure new flowers which have extended flowering periods and a greater resistance to pest and disease infestations. Specialist nurseries are available and they test the characteristics of new varieties before they are offered for sale.
Herbaceous plants flower shapes
Herbaceous plants have beautiful eye-catching flower shapes and colours. The majority of herbaceous plants have huge, single flowerheads. One such herbaceous plant is marsh marigold (Triollius) while others such as Platycodon have flowers shaped like a bell. Poppy (Papaver) has unique bowl shaped flowers. Flower shapes of columbine (Aquilegia) and iris (Iris) are inexplicable.
Botany
Most herbaceous plants have numerous upright growing shoots.
Shapes of growth
Herbaceous plants growth shapes are directly influenced by the size and arrangement of the leaves and flowers and the shoot growth direction.
Cushion plants
These are very low growing, normally at heights between 5 and 30cm. the shoots and foliage develop minute flat-growing domed cushions. Cushion-developing herbaceous plants are ideal for edging a herbaceous boarder, for rockeries and for path edges.
Ground-cover herbaceous plants
They grow in the same manner as cushion plants differing because they form slightly longer shoots or underground rhizomes. Ground-cover herbaceous plants grow to heights of about 5-40cm, creating a dense carpet covering large areas. Ground cover herbaceous plants are ideal for planting on a slope under woody plants.
Rosettes
These plants develop a circular design of leaves that lie like scales below each other. They grow up to heights of between 5-25cm. small rosettes look attractive when planted at the front of a herbaceous boarder while the larger rosettes are perfect for the background.
Bushy clumps
They have numerous shoots which grow very close together reaching heights around 25cm or more. A perfect example of a bushy clump is the autumn-flowering asters (Aster novi belgii) which has short, underground shoots which are lateral. The center of the clump eventually becomes bare due to less light and nutrients being made available to the shoots in the center.