Families- A Grouping or Gathering of Similar Plants

Published on

Have you ever thought “why in the world should I care about plant families?” Or why does it matter if a plant belongs to a certain family?  What if you were asked, “Can my Pyracantha (firethorn) shrubs get fireblight?”  or “What other plants could be possible target hosts for the Emerald Ash Borer”?  You will be able to understand the answers to these questions, IF YOU UNDERSTAND THE IMPACT OF PLANT FAMILIES!  You can answer with confidence the question posed, “Why in the world are oleander aphids feeding on my Balloon Plant Milkweed (Gomphocarpus physocarpus)?


On July 10, 2018 from 10am to 4:00pm, in the Secrest Arboretum Jack and Deb Miller Teaching Pavilion, Paul Snyder, Jason Veil, Jim Chatfield and Erik Draper will help to answer why plant lovers should care about knowing plant families too.  In this class session, we will discuss and look closely at the defining traits and characteristics of at least 15 different plant families commonly used in gardens and landscapes.


Ornamental peppers 'Purple Flash' at University of Georgia Trial Gardens
Ornamental peppers 'Purple Flash' at University of Georgia Trial Gardens


One key aspect to help with the identification of any plant is knowing the common traits of plant families and then we can ask the question “To which family does this plant belong?”  Understanding plant family traits and characteristics leads to understanding what plants need to not only survive but actually thrive in a landscape setting.  Each plant family has its own key characteristics like the number of flower petals, as well as the number and placement of stamens and pistils.   These characteristics each contribute to the correct identification of an unknown plant and become very useful in resolving certain diagnostic dilemmas.


Unique leaves of Southern Red Oak (Quercus falcata)
Unique leaves of Southern Red Oak (Quercus falcata)


For example, plants in the Ericaceae family, all have a very specific site and soil pH requirement that is required to survive.  If these requirements are brushed aside and ignored, these plants will, over a period of time, have their leaves gradually turn chlorotic, new twig extension will become shorter each year and eventually they will just die!  Can you guess those requirements?  Putting together a few members of the Heath or Ericaceae family helps to form an educated guess… So what do Kalmia, Vaccinium, Rhodendron, Einkanthus all require in order to survive?  They all need extremely low soil pH’s, moist but not saturated soils, high organic matter content, and well-drained soils.


'Sweet Caroline Kiwi' sweet potato vine at University of Georgia Trial Gardens
Ipomoea 'Sweet Caroline Kiwi' at University of Georgia Trial Gardens


Come join us and learn more plant family facts that will help to boost your confidence in choosing those “landscape plants that you always wanted in the garden” to be a success!


Cost of the class, which includes outstanding lunch cuisine, is $40.00 per person.  Contact Sarah Mays to register at 330-263-3831 email her at mays.201@osu.edu for more information.