Perennials BHT316

Produce fantastic perennial plants! Create a cascade of colour that re-emerges annually. Learn what perennials are, about the main types of perennial plants in fashion today, the cultural requirements of each (ie. feeding, watering, soil requirements, pruning, pest control), and how to utilize them to get the best out of them in the landscape. A course equally valuable to landscapers, nurserymen, cut flower growers and garden enthusiasts.

Perennials cover a wide range of plants including both ornamental and useful plants. There are perennial plants for all situations.

Course Structure There are 8 lessons as follows:

1. Introduction
   • Review of the system of plant identification
   • Physiology
   • Information sources
2. Culture
   • Planting
   • Staking
   • Mulching
   • Watering
   • Feeding
   • Pruning, etc.
3. Propagation and Hybridization
4. Review of Major Types of Perennials
5. Pests & Disease
6. Irrigation & Hydroponic Culture Techniques
7. Landscaping with Perennials
8. Further Uses

Each lesson culminates in an assignment which is submitted to the school, marked by the school\'s tutors and returned to you with any relevant suggestions, comments, and if necessary, extra reading.

Aims

• Describe the identification of Perennial Plants
• Determine sources of further information for identifying and growing different varieties of perennials.
• Discuss a variety of cultural techniques used to improve success in growing of different perennial plants
• Determine the propagation of different perennial plants.
• Discuss the horticulture of a range of commonly grown perennial genera.
• Discuss the management of pests and diseases occurring on a range of perennial plants.
• Manage irrigation and drainage to ensure optimum water levels are maintained for healthy growth in perennials.
• Determine appropriate use of perennials in a range of horticultural situations.
• Describe a variety of uses for perennials.

Perennials come in all forms, from herbaceous plants that die down in the winter and re-emerge in spring (year after year), to plants that retain their soft-stemmed leafy growth year round. Although beautiful, many perennials are also tough and very much adapted to a variety of climates - ranging from very dry to wet. Some have colourful foliage as well as beautiful flowers, others add architectural interest - but all add excitement and diversity to the landscape or garden as they burst into flower each year. Discover what perennials are, which perennial plants are most popular today, their cultural requirements (ie. feeding, watering, soil requirements, pruning, pest control), and learn how to use them to create beautiful landscapes. A course equally valuable to landscapers, nurserymen, cut flower growers and garden enthusiasts.