Do you prefer to use common names for plants or are you a botanical Latin maven?
As a professional landscape designer and garden communicator who does a lot of public speaking and television, I HAD to learn botanical Latin.
It’s the universal language of horticulture!
Do you see a “creeping fig” vine or a Ficus repens clinging to this wall?
When I was in landscaping school, I enjoyed the field trips to the botanical gardens to discover new plants until the teacher starting using botanical plant names.
My eyes crossed at the confusing Latin words. Every plant name sounded like a medical term or disease!
To make matters worse, our teacher got a kick out of drilling us on the proper pronunciation of plant names, which took some of the fun away.
Since I speak Spanish, I was guilty of over-pronouncing the letter “r” in words such as “gregii,” or names such as “Sarcococca“, or “Cupressus,” the latin name for Italian cypress trees.
My teacher’s patience with my “rolling r’s” was wearing thin until one day he let me have it!
“For a Latina, you sure can’t speak Latin,” he exclaimed.
Duh, I was born in Los Angeles in the 20th century dude!
Do you say “rosemary” or “Rosmarinus” when referring to the potted plant?
I knew it was important to learn botanical Latin since I was a fledgling professional, but the way he presented it was sooooo boring and forgettable that I was discouraged.
Now that I produce garden videos, I got the idea to create a fun and entertaining series that teaches gardeners how to pronounce botanical plant names!
I’m so excited to share it with you.
The series is called, “Say it in Botanical Latin.”
The segments are short, (50-seconds) and not only do you learn how to pronounce the plant’s name, you also learn the meaning of the plant’s name!
Very interesting stuff and entertaining. I promise!
Nicholas Staddon of Monrovia teaches us how to pronounce the name of a very popular and gorgeous shrub , “Chinese fringe flower” in this series premiere!
Watch Nicholas now.
Enjoy and please leave me a comment about “Say it in Botanical Latin.”
I recommend David Beaulieu, Landscape Guide at About.com’s article on the importance of Botanical Latin and learning plant names.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| © Submit to Any - jjtcomputing.co.uk |
"Eden Maker," Shirley Bovshow
Garden Designer's RoundTable
Shirley on HGTV
Shirley's HGTV "Designer's Portfolio"
Shirley: Garden Coach
Facebook
Twitter
Shirley's "Garden World Report" Show
Shirley's "Garden Center TV"
"Child-Friendly Yard"
"Contemporary Glass Garden"
"Edible Front Yard Herb Garden"
"English Garden and Patio"
"Feng Shui Yard"
"French Eden Garden"
"Front Yard Outdoor Living Garden"
"Hillside Garden Design"
"Italian Secret Garden"
"Mediterranean, Succulent Garden"
"Modern, Low Maintenance Garden"
"No Lawn Front Garden"
"Ornamental Grass & Sculpture Garden"
"Romantic Country Garden"
"Small Spanish Garden"
"Southwest Rain Chain Garden"
"Traditional Garden"
"Tropical Patio and Garden"
Pondless Waterfall and Woodland Garden"
Shirley – I know the Latin name of lots of plants and am busy learning more, but knowing them and saying them are two VERY different things. I love this new series. Can’t wait to see/hear more!
Thanks for visiting Barb. We have lot’s more in store and I’ll be learning new names too.
Shirley
I loved plant my identification classes in college, and the Latin names were always a challenge. The teachers would always take points off for incorrect spelling. I would always know most of the plants, but get a lower grade due to my spelling mistakes! Great post as usual Shirley! Oh I finally learned how to add a link to my blog so you are on it!
I know how you felt in that Hort class Robert. I’m still learning how to pronounce botanical plant names and have to check myself before going on air!
Shirley
it’s the only way to get the “cat’s claw” you are thinking of.
I learned that even with people you have to be careful: http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/1511317/whats_in_a_plants_scientific_name.html
Using common names is like having a blind date with a plant.
I prefer Latin because there are many very different plants that have the same common name. Also, there are plants that I know only the Botanical name of, not the common name, because I first encountered them in books. My motto is “Don’t confuse me with the common name.”
I’m a landscaper, have worked at a local nursery and have a science background. I very much understand the importance of botanical names and use them when possible. When I worked at the nursery, I would use the botanical name of a plant and some customers would say they didn’t know Latin and didn’t care about it. They were always surprised when I said yes, you do know Latin. Loropetalum is a great example, since the Genus name is also used as the common name. Once people realized that they already knew Latin words, they were much more open to learn more.
Basically – I’m in complete agreement with what you’re saying and look forward to watching the whole series. Love to learn more Latin!
Barb