Glossary of Terms
##-#-#/N-P-K - This is a classification system found on fertilizers, composts, and products that need to declare the Nitrogen-Phosphorous-Potassium enriching capability of that product. Each nutrient plays their own important role in the process of fertilization.
AAcidity: A term used to describe soil quality; pertains to rich soil that is generally dark in color & dense with organic matter. Also called "Sour Soil" it can have a very strong smell.
Aeration: The introduction of Air into a material.
Annual: A plant whose growing zone is higher than the growing zone of the area. These will NOT survive outside during the winter.
Alkalinity: A term used to describe soil quality; this soil has minimal accessible nutrients
Amendment: Any product added to soil to improve the structure and create optimal growing conditions.
B & CBloom: The flower of a plant, the period in which that flower is open, or the period in which pollen/spores are released.
Bush: See Shrub
Compost: Organic material that has decomposed into a nutrient rich soil.
DDirt: See Soil, Loose Soil or earth that covers the ground.
Draught: Extended periods without consistent moisture that cause the soil and air to become dry and stagnant. See Tolerant.
E & FErosion: The process of being broken down or removed by the elements such as wind and water.
Flower: The bloom of a plant.
Forb: An herbaceous, flowering plant
GGrass: Plants that grow using blade like leaves with jointed stems to create clusters or spread to occupy lawns or pastures.
Grafting: to insert or join a part of one tree onto the root stock of another. This is done to enhance specific features of both trees.
Gravel: Small, Tumbled, rocks that together create a structured mulch.
HHardy: A adjective used frequently for plants to identify if they will survive the winter. IE, Cold Hardy plant, See Zone
Hardscaping: Using Stone, Soil, and miscellaneous materials to create foundations for patios, fire pits, walkways, or other man-made features in a landscape.
I, J, & KLLandscape: The placement of all visual features of an area or land often chosen for aesthetic appeal. The Southwest landscape is iconic for its clay hills, crystal blue sky, rocky bluffs, and desert plants.
Landscaping: The act of (previously or actively) installing the visual elements of an area or land. This can be done with many elements including stone & plants. Landscaper: Someone to install or maintain the visual elements of an area or land. |
MMacro - nutrients: The Nutrients need in large quantities. For plants these include elements such as Nitrogen, Potassium, and Phosphorus.
Micro-nutrients: The Nutrients needed in minimal quantities. For plants these include metals like Iron, Zinc, and Copper.
Mulch: An organic top layer used to increase the water retention or enrich the soil beneath.
MS: an abbreviation found often on our price tags; Mutiple Stems.
NNative: A plant, animal, or stone that naturally originates from the area.
Nitrogen: The N in #-#-#/N-P-K.
The Leaf maker element that plants either produce or consume. Many cover crops can replenish natural amounts of nitrogen, which earns them the label of "Nitrogen Fixers", many other plants consume the Nitrogen to produce lush leaves, stems, and overall growth. OOrganic:
a) relating to or derived from living matter. b) produced without the use of chemical fertilizers, pesticides, or other artificial agents. Organic Matter: Basically, anything that was once alive that is now mixed into soil or is on top of soil. IE: Leaves, Bark Mulch, Plant Debris, Sticks, etc. Material that has yet to or has begun to decompose.
P & QPerennial: A plant whose growing zone is equal to or lower than the growing zone of the environment. These may/should survive outside during the winter.
pH: a form of measurement to determine how acidic or basic a compound is. Plants all have a preferred pH, generally within the range of 5.5-6.5.
Phosphorus: The P in #-#-#/N-P-K.
The Root maker element present in soil that plants consume to encourage root growth. Ideal for Bulbs and root vegetables. Plant: A living organism of the kind exemplified by trees, shrubs, herbs, grasses, ferns, and mosses, typically growing in a permanent site, absorbing water and inorganic substances through its roots, and synthesizing nutrients in its leaves by photosynthesis using the green pigment chlorophyll.
Pollinator: A being that travels from flower to flower completing the process of Pollination.
A "Sister" plant or close relative which can provide the necessary pollen to complete fertilization. For example, Apples generally cannot self-pollinate, so they require a different particular apple species to be co-planted or be located within a 3-mile radius in order to produce fruit. Potassium: The K in #-#-#/N-P-K
The flower and fruit-making element present in soil and fertilizer that is consumed by plants to stimulate overall health, water uptake, and fruit and flower production. RResistant: A Term frequently used surrounding Pests, Disease, Fungus, Fire, and Care to denote a plants capability to naturally fend off detrimental situations or survive in the event of. A Deer resistant plant generally means that will not be chosen willingly or can survive a certain amount of browsing. The same applies for Disease resistant varieties, it does not imply that the plant is impervious to this type of damage.
Root Stock: The base and Root portion of a grafted plant. Seen most often in Fruit trees, this is a process done to enhance specific features of both plants.
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SSalinity: Containing notable quantities of Salt.
Shade: A term used to describe an area that is covered in shadow or a descriptor for plants that prefer these areas.
Shrub: Multi-stemmed plants that can span from less that 1 ft to over 6 ft tall. They tend to bush out in the middle and can be pruned into multiple shapes.
Soft scaping: Using plants, grass, or soft, living elements to create a cozy landscape.
Soil: The top layer of accessible earth we generally utilize for planting.
SS: an abbreviation found often on our price tags; Single Stem.
Sun Exposure: A term used generally to describe an area and to what extend it receives direct sunlight. Note: FULL SUN does not mean the same thing in the Southwest as it does in the Midwest. Our High Desert sun is much more extreme so even if a plant is identified as Full Sun it may not be in this region.
TTender: An adjective used frequently for plants to identify if they will survive the winter. Tender plants may not be tolerant of cold temperatures. See Zone.
Thatch: A layer of organic matter that accumulates around the bases of grass and plants composed of living and dead plant material.
Tolerant: A term used frequently surrounding Draught, Disease, Exposure, Soil quality, and Care to denote a plant's capability and the environmental parameters that they may survive in.
Tree: A plant with the highest growth accomplishments and a singular (or up to 3) supporting wood trunk(s) that bear branches laterally a distance above the ground.
U & VVine: Plants which grow in a climbing or trailing manner. Sometimes they can give the appearance of having a "Trunk" but should not be self-supporting.
WWaterwise: Plants that naturally conserve water or require minimal consistent water once established.
Weeds: an unwanted plant or simply a plant in the wrong place.
X & YXeric: An environment that is dry and hot.
A word used to describe plants that can function at normal capacity (Leaf Out, Fruit, Flower, and Produce Seed) in xeric conditions. Xeriscaping: Using Waterwise, Native, or Xeric plants to create a sustainable landscape. ZZero-scaping: Using rock, gravel, or inanimate material to landscape an area.
Zone: A USDA classification system based upon the temperature thresholds or parameters of an environment or a plant. This classification system pertains ONLY to average temperature thresholds and not to sunlight exposure, soil quality, or water requirements.
Check out our video on How to Find your Zone! |
Community & Gardening Resources
Colorado State University Extension Office
The Mission of Extension is to provide information and education, and encourage the application of research-based knowledge in response to local, state, and national issues affecting individuals, youth, families, agricultural enterprises, and communities of Colorado. 
Denver Botanic Gardens strives to entertain and delight while spreading the collective wisdom of the Gardens through outreach, collaboration and education. Our conservation programs play a major role in saving species and protecting natural habitats for future generations.
Urban Forestry Planting Project Cost sharing resource for planting trees in the City of Durango Click here to calculate the benefits of any tree you plant! 
Parts of a Flower
Great resource for kids (or the curious adult) to learn the scientific parts of a flower! |
The Colorado Native Plant Society is dedicated to furthering the knowledge, appreciation and conservation of native plants and habitats of Colorado through education, stewardship and advocacy.
We are members of Plant Select! This program is a collaboration between Colorado State University and Denver Botanic Gardens. Their purpose is to seek out, identify, and distribute the best plants for Colorado gardens. We will be selling various selections from Plant Select throughout the nursery. Ask one of our knowledgeable staff for more information.
Southwest Colorado Wildflowers has photographs and descriptions of 1000 species of wildflowers, ferns, and trees found within a 150 mile radius of the Four Corners area of Colorado, New Mexico, Arizona, and Utah.
The Garden Project of Southwest Colorado strives to promote gardening in our community. They provide access to garden programs, education, and access to local produce! Be sure to check out their educational resources on their website.
Kids Gardening + Sustainability Guide
The Ultimate Guide to getting kids started in gardening and sustainability. Fun projects to grow their love for plants! |
Durango Botanical Society is committed to the design and development of public gardens throughout SW Colorado for the purposes of education and demonstration. DBS offers workshops, trainings, and educational programs.
The Western Colorado Botanic Gardens connect visitors with the beauty of the Colorado River Basin and Plateau by providing opportunities for education, science, conservation and community events
North American Rock Garden Society-NARGS is for gardening enthusiasts interested in alpine, saxatile, and low-growing perennials. It encourages the study and cultivation of wildflowers that grow well among rocks, whether such plants originate above treeline or at lower elevations. NARGS provides extensive opportunities for both beginners and experts to expand their knowledge of plant cultivation and propagation, and of construction, maintenance, and design of special interest gardens.
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