Gardening A to Z: B

Useful information for you, brought to you by Garden NZ

Introduction
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Bamboo
A member of the tribe Bambuseae of the grass family (Poaceae), though used primarily for those species which produce substantial aerial stems, often rather woody and with lateral branches from the nodes. Bamboos grow from underground rhizomes that are long-running or short and crowded. The stems (culms) are hollow in most bamboos.

Bark
The protective surface layer of the trunk or branches of a tree or shrub, generated from a layer of dividing cells at the bark-wood interface (cambium) and often from additional layers of dividing cells (cork cambium). Bark may build up in thickness as the tree grows, often becoming fissured or checkered as it is stretched; or outer layers of bark may be shed annually leaving a smooth new surface; or layers may peel in irregular flakes.

Basal (of branches, leaves etc)
Basal (of branches, leaves etc) Springing directly from the base of the plant rather than from an aerial stem; or may simply mean the opposite of apical, as in the basal lobes of a leaf.

Basil
Basil's Greek name basileus, meaning "king," indicates its royal position among herbs. The basils have always attracted the attention of herb fanciers, and rightly so, for they offer an amazing array of flavours and scents, and they are a constant source of inspiration in the kitchen.

Bean
The most commonly grown beans are the green, or snap bean, and the yellow, or wax bean. Beans either grow on bushes or vines. Bushes are easier to handle as they grow only one to two feet tall. Pole beans grow 6 to 8 feet tall and require a trellis for support.

Beat A Bug
Safe plant spray. "Ready to use" insect spray that has now been in NZ since September 1997.

Bedding Plant
A plant, usually low growing, suitable for a mass planting display of flowers or foliage. Most are annuals or short-lived perennials. See Potted Colour.

Begonias
Begonia species have been widely grown in New Zealand as ornamental container or bedding plants, famous for their attractive, often brightly coloured flowers. Most begonia varieties have, however, never been known to survive very well in full sun positions, especially on north-facing patios or decks.

Berry
In normal use, a small juicy fruit which is eaten entire and unpeeled; to a botanist, a fleshy fruit containing several seeds which does not open when ripe – including citrus fruits and the tomato.

Bell Block Garden Centre
Family owned and has been established at Bell Block since 1921 – is still operated by family of its founder Ivon Watkins.

Biennial
A plant which flowers and dies in its second year after germination, producing only roots and leaves in the first. Parsley is the best known example.

Biofeed
Biofeed Compost Tea is a NZ Bio-Gro Certified Organic Tonic for all plants. It is safe to use with no added chemicals, spray residues or unpleasant odours. It aids the plant system against pests and diseases if used regularly.

Black Spot
Black Spot can be a nasty problem on many garden plants but is most commonly associated with roses.

Blade
The flat part of a leaf, where most photosynthesis occurs.

Bloom
A general term for a flower, much used in flower show schedules. Also, a waxy or powdery coating on the skins of leaves or fruits, as on a grape.

Blooming Good
Blooming Good has been supplying quality plant care products to home gardeners, commercial growers, nurseries, livestock farmers and hydroponic growers throughout New Zealand for over nine years, from their Wellington premises.

Blossom
Much the same as bloom, except that it is used for the massed flowering of deciduous orchard trees, and to signify the position of the withered floral remains of a fruit, as in ‘blossom end’.

Bog Garden
An area of garden in which soil moisture is maintained at a saturated level, by restricting drainage; most easily achieved at the margin of a pond or permanent stream. Used to grow plants from bog and marsh habitats.

Boron
Important in tissue respiration, reproduction and cell division, pollination, seed production, and carbohydrate synthesis and transport. Regulates water uptake.

Botrytis
Botrytis, is commonly known as "Greymould". Watch out for Botrytis, especially in cooler conditions as it can spread rapidly.

Bract
A leaf-like organ, usually associated with a flower or cluster of flowers, but not part of the flower itself. Bracts are smaller and a different shape to ordinary leaves, as in roses; or they may be brightly coloured and resemble petals, as in bougainvilleas and poinsettias.

Branch
Any plant stem arising from the primary stem in a lateral position, including flowering stems, though most commonly used for the lateral shoots of a tree which become thick and woody.

Bromeliad
Bromeliads in their native habitats (unique to the Americas) grow in such diverse places as 2,500 metre elevations to sea level, rain forests to deserts. Some are true "air plants" or epiphytes, deriving their nutrients from rainfall and debris falling collecting in their cupped shape, while others are terrestrial

Bud
An immature, unopened flower. Also, an embryo shoot, usually small and pointed, found normally in the axils of the leaves or at the ends of shoots, but also occurring on rootstocks, tubers and the like. It is usually protected by small, waxy scales.

Budding
A form of grafting, where the scion consists of a piece of bark carrying a single growth bud, inserted into the bark of the understock. It is used especially for the propagation of roses and fruit trees.

Bugs
See Insects.

Bulb
An underground (usually) organ, consisting of a reduced stem (the base plate) surrounded by modified leaves that store food for the plant’s dormancy. The onion is the classic example.

Bulblet
A small bulb developing from the base of a mature one and used for propagation. The term ‘offset’ is sometimes used. Cactus The most significant family of succulent plants, all perennial and native to the Americas.