Ornamental Plants

Ornamental Plants are also known as “beautiful plants.” They are usually grown in the flower garden for the display of their flowers.

• Ornamental gardens use plants that are designed more for their aesthetic pleasure and appearance than for the production of crops or cooking.

Generally, care for ornamental plants include the following:

• Fertilizing– There are a variety of fertilizers available, considerations include cost, nutrient content as well as needs of plants as recommended by an agronomist.
• Watering– Water deeply, and often. Watering in the morning will also help avoid evaporation so the water can penetrate the roots. Be cautious that some ornamentals are very drought tolerant and overwatering can be a concern. Concerns include the type of plant and the soil it’s planted in. Look to your plants for signs of dehydration. Any wilting or yellowing is a good indication your ornamentals need water.
• Stabilizing– The use of wooden supports. for tall plants help protect them from severe weather conditions. Without staking, tall annuals and perennials, like lilies, can droop to the soil after heavy rain.
• Pruning– This helps to maintain the shape of ornamental plants Maintain the shape of your ornamental plants by removing dead or diseased branches by pruning. This helps to increase air circulation and encourage new growth.
• Mulching- This helps provide root insulation in hot weather conditions. It also discourages weed growth and retains moisture in the soil for the plants.
• Weed Prevention– Weeds can compete with plants for water and nutrients in the soil. Mulching is one approach towards weed prevention, but landscape fabric, ornamental bed treatments and hand pulling weeds are other effective options from stopping weeds from growing out of your ornamental beds.
• Disease and Pest Control– Signs of damage like discolouration or holes in the foliage can be signs of disease or pest challenges. An agronomist should be contacted for immediate action.