A LECTURE NOTES PREPARED AND COMPILED BY Dr. V. N NANDESHWAR and Dr. PRANALI T.

BHAISARE

HORT-354 (1+1)

Floriculture can be defined as “a specialized branch of horticulture which deals

not only with the cultivation of flowers, foliage, climbers, trees, shrubs, cacti, succulents,
etc., but also with their marketing and production of value-added products from them

Landscaping is an aesthetic branch of Horticulture, which deals with planting of

Ornamental plants in such a way that it creates a picturesque effect. Landscape
gardening can also be defined as the beautification of a tract of land having a house or
other object of interest on it. It is done with a view to create a natural scene by the
planting of lawns, trees, shrubs flowering annuals, climbers, creepers, etc. Further,
landscape gardening is both an art and science of the establishment of a ground in such
a way that it gives an effect of a natural landscape. It can also be defined as “improving
of total living environment for the people”.

IMPORTANCE OF FLORICULTURE IN INDIA:

• Besides food and nutritional security, the aesthetic value is also equally important
for our daily lively hood as well as for environmental purity.
Floriculture is important from the following point of view;
1. Economic point of view
2. Aesthetic point of view
3. Social point of view
4. Environment protection

Scope of ornamental gardening and landscaping

Gardening which was only an art and science in the earlier days has now
emerged as a huge industry. With the importance and need of gardening in improving
and conserving the environment being strongly felt now, the concept of landscaping and
gardening is growing rapidly. Ornamental gardening and landscaping has expanded as
a multi-faceted industry encompassing activities such as propagating and rearing
ornamental plants, landscaping, production of growing media, pots and other
accessories, etc., generating huge employment opportunities and simultaneously
promoting activities that would improve the environment.

In India, floriculture industry comprises i.e., Income generating activities in

Floriculture are,
 Cut Flowers
 Loose Flowers
 Cut Greens
 Foliage and Flowering Pot Plants
 Dry Flowers
 Production of bulbs and tubers
 Hybrid seed production
 Nursery production
 Perfumery
 Plant rental services
 A LECTURE NOTES PREPARED AND COMPILED BY Dr. V. N NANDESHWAR and Dr. PRANALI T. BHAISARE

 Garlands and venis

 Flower arrangements and floral craft
 Wild ornamental plants
 Landscape Designing
 Flower baskets, pots and containers etc.
 Production of nursery plants and potted plants,
 Seed and bulb production,
 Micro propagation and
 Extraction of essential oils.

Basic principles of landscaping

1. Balance: The balance in landscape design is visual equilibrium of different

garden elements.
2. Proportion: Proportion refers to the share of the different parts or components to
the whole.
3. Unity: Though diverse structures, plants and features are used to create a
landscape, there should be a unity among each component and all the
components with main building.
4. Perspective Any object situated at a distance will look small compared to the
one of the same size kept close to the vision. Eg. Rail road converges at
distance.
5. Vista: It is the three dimensional confined view of a terminal object along eye line
at focal point. E.g. Taj tomb as viewed from its opposite.
6. Prospect: Prospect is the view of a scenery, natural or man made, through an
opening such as window or a gap in the foliage of trees. It is the ‘camera view’ of
any scenery.
7. Restraint: Overuse of any component including grouping of plants in a particular
location masks the scenic beauty.
8. Rhythm: is measured as cyclic repetition of an object, effect, event
9. Harmony: Harmony is the pleasing effect obtained due to appropriate
arrangement and collation of the various garden features.
10. Movement or Mobility:The concept of mobility is vital to garden as breath to
human. Mobility can be introduced in the garden by the magnificent sway of tall
trees, birds in the sky, butterflies circling over flowers, dispersal of clouds in the
sky, surging water in fountains, the gentle curvature of roads, trunks, branches of
trees, etc.
11. Skyline: Garden meets the sky in its vertical dimension.
12. Surprise: One component should be hidden from the other either by gentle turn
of road, or screening through shrubbery or pergolas.
13. Scale : is the principle of relative dimension
14. Space: The aim of every garden design should be such that the garden should
appear large than its actual size.
15. Axis: An imaginary line in any garden
 A LECTURE NOTES PREPARED AND COMPILED BY Dr. V. N NANDESHWAR and Dr. PRANALI T. BHAISARE

16. Focal point: There is center of attraction which is generally an architectural

feature focused as a point of interest it is one of the good land scape element.

17. Mass effect: The use of one general form of plant material in large numbers
in one place is done to have a mass effect. Such mass arrangement should not
become monotonous. The size of mass should be varied.

18. Texture: The surface character of a garden is referred to as Texture. The

texture of the ground leaves of tree or shrub will determine overall effect of a
garden.

19. Time and Light:

20. Time and colour: A thorough knowledge is essential to select the plants
depending on their flower colour or foliage colour. Colour schemes like
monochromatic, analogous complementary or contrasting are laid out by
selecting different plants. It is better to have masses of single colour against a
mixture of colour.

21.Style: Every garden lover has to invent his own style. A good style has to be
developed by studying great garden styles of the world and grasping the
underlying principles. Even more know ledged gardener will commit mistakes.

Style of landscape gardening, are

1. Formal gardens.
2. Informal gardens.

Formal style gardens: It is laid out in a symmetrical or Geometrical pattern. Everything

is planted in straight lines. If there is a plant on the left hand side of a straight road
similar plant must be placed on the right hand side also. Flower beds, borders and
shrubbery are arranged in Geometrically designed shapes. Trimmed formal hedges
Ashoka trees, Topiaries are the typical features of a Formal garden.

Informal style gardens: The whole design looks informal. Features are arranged in a
natural way without any hard and fast rules but here also the work has to proceed
according to a well set plan. The idea behind this design is to imitate nature.

The major garden styles are:

• Mughal gardens
• Persian gardens
• Italian gardens
• French gardens
• English gardens and
• Japanese gardens
Out of these, the Mughal, Persian, Italian and French types fall in the category of
 A LECTURE NOTES PREPARED AND COMPILED BY Dr. V. N NANDESHWAR and Dr. PRANALI T. BHAISARE

formal gardens, whereas the English and Japanese gardens are classified in the
informal style of gardening.

Some of the famous gardens established by the Mughal rulers are listed below

Mughal Emperor Gardens established

• Akbar Fatehpur garden, Sikri (Agra)
Tomb garden, Sikandra (Agra)
• Jahangir Shalimar, Acbhalbal, Varinag (Kashmir)
Itmad-ud-Daulah (Agra)
Dilkusha garden, Lahore
• Shan Jahan Shalimar, Lahore
Tai Mahal, Red Fort, Agra
Red Fort, Delhi
• Fadai Khan Pinjore garden, Pinjore
 A LECTURE NOTES PREPARED AND COMPILED BY Dr. V. N NANDESHWAR and Dr. PRANALI T. BHAISARE

LANDSCAPE USES TREES, SHRUBS AND CLIMBERS

TREES
Trees are very fascinating because of their graceful appearance and the
abundance of bloom. They are grown for their economic importance or aesthetic value
or both. The cultivation of trees for their aesthetic or recreational value is known as
arboriculture.

Trees should be planted carefully and thoughtfully for the benefit of height,
shade, colour and vertical emphasis.

Significance of trees in landscaping

• Trees form the main framework of the garden.
• Some trees produce attractive and beautiful flowers including fragrant flowers
• Some trees are noted for their attractive foliage
• Some trees are known for their peculiar shape or form which is used as specimen
trees.
• Some trees are known for their peculiar shape or form which is used as specimen
trees. Shady trees are planted in chosen spots of large public garden which provides
place for picnic and relaxation. Such trees are also planted along the borders of roads
as avenue for giving shade.

In selecting ornamental trees, the purpose should be decided first and then the place of
its culture should be finalized.

SHRUBS
Shrubs are defined as woody or semi woody perennial plants, the branches of
which arise from the base of the plant and grow up to a height ranging from 50 cm to 4
m.

Uses
a) They are important garden plants not only because of the large number of
cultivated species and varieties but also due to the wide range of variation in the
shape and size of the plants
b) They fit very well to home gardens in cities and towns.
c) Shrubs act as a foundation plant in the buildings.
d) Flowering can be seen throughout the year from one or other plant.
e) They can be used as a hedge, fencing and also for topiary e.g. Hibiscus, Divi Divi,
Thevitia, Casuarina etc.,
f) They can also be grown as potted plants.

Classification

. Based on the use in the garden

a) Shrubs for showy or attractive flowers e.g. Hibiscus, Ixora, Mussanda, Night
queen, Euphorbia etc.,
 A LECTURE NOTES PREPARED AND COMPILED BY Dr. V. N NANDESHWAR and Dr. PRANALI T. BHAISARE

b) Shrubs for fragrance e.g. Jasmine, Rose, Nandiayavattai (Tabarraemontuna

Coronaria), Pavalamalli (Nytanthes arhotristis) etc.,
c) Shrubs for foliage e.g. Crotons, Polycias, Eranthemum, Graptophyllum etc.

II. Based on sunlight requirement

a) Open sunlight e.g. Hibiscus, Bougainvillea etc.,
b) Partial sunlight e.g. Eranthemum, Polyscias, Pisonia, Graptophyllum etc.,
c) Full shade e.g. Polyscias

FLOWERING ANNUALS
Annuals are plants that complete their life cycle in one season or one year. They
attain their full growth from seed, flower and die in one year or one season. They
comprise of several of the most beautiful and easily grown plants widely varying in form,
habit of growth and colour.

The selection of annuals for gardening can be made according to following

purposes.

i) Bedding purpose: Dahlia, Marigold, Phlox, Verbena, Pansy, Carnation,

Petunia, Zinnia, Portulaca, Gomphrena, Gaillardia.
ii) Fragrant flowers: Carnations, Sweet pea
iii) For cut flowers: Carnation, Aster, Helichrysum, Antirrhirum
iv) For loose flowers: Marigold, Annual Chrysanthemum, Aster, Zinnia,
Gaillardia
v) For hanging basket: Daisy, Nasturtium, Verbena, Phlox, Alyseum, Portulace
vi) For rock garden: Nasturtium, Verbana, Phlox and Gamolepis
vii) For screening : Hollihock and sweet pea
viii) For pots: Carnation, Antirrhinum, Aster, Petunia
ix) For dry flowers: Helichrysum, Gomphrena

BULBOUS ORNAMENTALS
The word “bulb” in gardening includes bulbs, corms, rhizomes, tubers, fascicled
roots, etc. Some popular bulbous plants suitable for landscaping include Canna, crinum,
dahlia, hippeastrum, lilium, tuberose, caladium, amaryllis, zephyranthes, iris lily, Oxalis
species, tiger lily, gladiolus, anemone and ornithogalum.

CLIMBERS AND CREEPERS

Climbers are very important ornamental plants and are commonly used on walls,
arches and pergolas but in cities their utility is increased for the purpose of screening
the premises from adjacent houses and maintaining privacy. Bare walls can be most
effectively decorated by growing colorful climbers on them. Botanically, plants, which
have the special structure to climb on supports, are defined as climbers.

Selection of climbers
1. Annual climbers e.g. Clitoria ternata, sweet pea, morning glory, (Ipomoea
rubrocaerulea)
 A LECTURE NOTES PREPARED AND COMPILED BY Dr. V. N NANDESHWAR and Dr. PRANALI T. BHAISARE

2. Climbers for screening e.g. Antigonon leptopus Passiflora, Porana Ipomoea,

Clerodendron splendens Thunbergia etc.

3. Climbers for low walls or trellis for this purpose only light climbers are selected.
e.g. Lonicera japonica, Solanum seaforthianum, Tristellatia australis, Tecoma
jasminoides, Jacquemontia violacea.

4. Climbers for pergola usually heavy climbers are grown. e.g. Quisqualis indica,
Petrea volubilis, Adenocalymma allicea, Allamanda cathartica etc.
5. Climbers for porches e.g. Pyrostegia venusta, Petrea volubilis, Clerodendron
splendens, Bougainvillea, Jasminum sp. etc.

6. Flowering climbers in partial shade e.g. Passiflora, Aristolochia, Quisqualis

indica, Clerodendron splendens, Jacquemontia violaceae.

7. Foliage climbers e.g. Scindapsus aureus, Philodendron sp., Monstera deliciosa

8. Climbers for pot culture e.g. Tristellatia australis, Adenocalymma allicea,

Clitoria ternata, Bignonia purpurea etc.