Gardening Terms M

I've gathered a list of some of the common terms you will hear or read about when dealing with nurseries and garden plants.

This list is by no means a complete collection of horticultural techniques and terms.

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Gardening terms M

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M Garden Terms

mass planting: A planting in which large groups of plants are incorporated to provide mass or balance to the landscape.

melting out: When the center of a plant dies out, normally due to rot.

micro climate: Climate conditions of areas in your yard.

midrib: The large, central vascular bundle of a leaf.

mildew:A whitish coloring on foliage produced by a fungus. Lilac foliage is very prone to it.

minor veins: The smallest veins of a leaf, branching off lateral veins.

monocot: Informal term for any member of the flowering plant class Liliopsida. Examples, likly, iris, palm, agave.

monotypic: Of a family: containing a single genus that contains only one species.

mosaic: A disease that mottles the leaves of plants.

mottle: A disorder of the leaf where the coloring is not consistent through the leaf, blotches may be various shades of green with yellowing spots also occuring.

mulch: Soose, dry material used ontop of the soil to help retain water and discourage weed growth. Straw, bark, shredded bark and finely processed bark are typical types used.

munson: Training grapes on horizontal wires.

mutation: Abrupt changes in a plants heredity that produces plants different from the parent plant. The foliage may be different or the flowers may have new characteristics.

mychorrhizae: Fungi that form a symbiotic relationship with roots, usually of benefits to plants because they provide phosphorus.