PLSC 365 - HERBACEOUS LANDSCAPE PLANTS
Course Syllabus
Dr. Harlene Hatterman-Valenti
266D Loftsgard Hall
Phone: 231-8536

Email: h.hatterman.valenti@ndsu.edu

 

2 credits

 

  1. COURSE DESCRIPTION AND TEXT:
    Identification, production and use of annual and perennial ornamental plants in home and public landscapes.

    Text: Still, S.M. 1994. Manual of Herbaceous Ornamental Plants, 4th Edit., Stipes Publ. Co., 814 pp. (See Reference List for additional information.)

    2.  

  2. COURSE OBJECTIVES:
    A) Acquaint students with the botanical/horticultural classification,
    nomenclature, and principles of identification of herbaceous plants.

    B) Acquire expertise in identifying approximately 250 taxa of herbaceous
    annual/perennial plants for use in home/public landscapes.

    C) Acquire knowledge of environmental adaptation and ornamental plant
    characteristics which influence landscape use.

    D) Learn to appreciate the importance of herbaceous plants as functional
    elements in diverse landscape situations.

  3. EDUCATIONAL PHILOSOPHY:
    This is a hands-on, living plant laboratory course. Students learn best and become most enthused when allowed to experience live plants growing in outdoor environments, particularly. Additional opportunities are provided to enhance student learning by utilizing fresh samples, full color pictures, and powerpoint presentations. In addition to the text, students will receive instructional information (handouts, extension publications, and several annual/perennial wholesale flower catalogs) for study use. Several other references are available for student purchase at the Varsity Mart. Whether you pursue a plant-related career or enjoy gardening in your home landscape, the knowledge you gain in this course can provide professional and personal benefits that last a lifetime.

  4. HELPFUL STUDY HINTS:
    A) To get the most out of this course, be inquisitive and enthusiastic. Allow it
    to be fun, not drudgery!
    -
    		 Cultivate a desire to learn the plants you walk by every day in the
    landscape.
    -
    		 Participate in class with a sense of purpose.
    -
    		 Keep an open mind for learning new paradigms about microclimates and human-plant interactions.
    -
    		 Learn to identify species covered each week within the week they are covered.
    -
    		 This course contains much information. Do not wait for the last minute to study. Spend time outside beyond lab periods. It takes time, but there is no substitute for hard work.
    -
    		 Make regular visits in Loftsgard Hall and to the Learning Center to study the color pictures.
    -
    		 Use the "Student Note" sheet and/or flash cards with the common
    name and ID features on one side and the scientific name on the other side to assist you in learning the names and correct spelling.
    -
    		 Pay attention to family names; they are often clues to distinguishing between narrower categories of genera and species.
    -
    		 Organize a small two to three student study group. Students who
    participate and contribute to such a group often earn better grades.
    -
    		 Make a list and update each week of the plants you find more difficult to identify. This will save you time later and greatly assist in wise use of your time.
    -
    		 Highlight 3 to 5 key identification characteristics and also list 3 to 5 key landscape or ornamental features and uses of the plant as you take notes. Remember, read about each plant in text, etc., to fill in voids in your notes of plants covered weekly.

  5. COURSE OUTLINE:
    NOTE! A complete alphabetical listing of all plants (categorized by family, genus, species, and cultivar) covered (even some not covered) is available on the web. The main intent of this course is to learn herbaceous landscape plants. Each week approximately 20 species will be cover. In addition, the following areas will be addressed.
 
A.
 VALUE OF FLORICULTURE INDUSTRY
 
1. Bedding Plant Industry
 
2. Perennial Plant Industry
 
 
B.
 PLANT TERMINOLOGY/DEFINITIONS
 
 
C.
 BASIC PLANT NOMENCLATURE
 
 
 
D.

BRIEF REVIEW OF PLANT PROPAGATION

 
1. Sexual Propagation Methods
 
2. Asexual Propagation Methods
 
  a. Specialized above-ground structures
 
  b. Specialized below-ground structures
 
     
 
E.
 GUIDELINES AND RECOMMENDATIONS FOR MASS FLORAL BED DESIGN
 
1. Formal Annual Beds
 
  a. Specific plants used
 
2. Informal Annual Beds
 
3. Perennial Beds
 
4. Colors, Textures, Forms in Relation to Recommended Plant Combinations
 
   
 
F.
 PLANT CHARACTERS AFFECTING LANDSCAPE OR ORNAMENTAL VALUE
 
1. Environmental Adaptation
 
  a. Native vs. exotic
 
  b. Adaptable (annuals) and adaptable winter hardy perennials
 
  c. Soil-site requirements
 
    -- Texture
 
    -- pH, aeration and drainage, Fe chlorosis
 
    -- Salinity
 
    -- Sun/half sun/shade
 
  d. Moisture needs
 
  e. Wind tolerance
 
  f. Pest susceptibility
 
  g. Other factors
 
     
 
2. Landscape-Ornamental Features
 
  a. Foliage characteristics, textures and colors
 
  b. Flower characteristics, colors, inflorescence types, length of bloom period, etc.
 
  c. Height, width, spreading, non-spreading, weediness, etc.
 
  d. Shape and growth form
 
  e. Major uses, e.g., annual bedding plants, containers/planters, hanging baskets, perennial beds and groundcovers.
 
  f. Other characteristics, e.g., dried inflorescence, fruit, seed
 
     
         
VI.
 STUDENT PROJECTS:
  A. Each student will be responsible for 40 digital herbaceous landscape pictures - woody plants are not main focus (40 pts). 20 pictures: "good herbaceous plantings" with a script (sentence or two) about why you thought it was a good planting and 20 pictures: "bad herbaceous plantings" with a script (sentence or two) about why you thought it was a bad planting. Each student is reponsible for his/her own pictures, no copies.
  B. Group projects: (60 pts)
    Groups will be responsible for 3 designs (September 30, October 28, and November 23). Identical scenarios will be given approximatley 1 month prior to the design due date. Commercial landscape designers' in the community will evaluate the designs.
       
*Late projects will be accepted but will be docked one letter grade each week past the due date.
       
VII.
 TESTING: (Variation may occur at the discretion of the instructor and may
    be required by the weather.)
  Identification Quizzes/Exams
   Weekly quiz on Monday- identify 15 plants (100 pts). After first week, no more than five will be from previous quizzes.

End of the semester cumulative exam (300 pts)
 

*Students will be allowed to retake or makeup only one weekly quiz.

   
  TOTAL POINTS: 1400 (Approximate)
   
VIII.
 GRADING:
 
90 to100% A
80 to 90% B
70 to 80% C
60 to 70% D
<60% F
   
IX.
 ATTENDANCE:
To learn effectively, students must attend all lectures/labs, and the field trip. Attendance is very important to succeed in this course. No makeup tests will be allowed except for a doctor - excused illness, funeral, etc. Graded exams will be returned only to students present in class - they cannot be picked up by another student.
   
X.
 CANCELLATIONS:
A university cancellation of a class meeting time automatically delays all scheduled activities (lecture, lab, exam) to the NEXT regularly scheduled meeting time.
   
XI.
 DISABILITY ACCOMODATIONS :
Students that may require disability accommodations for this course are encouraged to speak with the instructor and/or the Disability Services Office (231-7671) as soon as possible to make appropriate arrangements.
   
XII.
 DISHONESTY:
The College of Agriculture, Food Systems, and Natural Resources has an Honor System (http://www.ag.ndsu.nodak.edu/colag/honor.htm) which believes that a student has the privilege and obligation to perform honestly and responsibly. Exams will include the following pledge which students are required to sign before their exam will be accepted: "On my honor I have neither given nor received aid in completing this assignment." An indication of dishonesty is referred to the Honor Commission made up of students. The instructor also retains the privilege of deducting points if he deems that the action is warranted. Appropriate methods are available for appeal.