Glossary N

Nectaries

Tissue which secretes nectar to attract pollinating insects. Plants which rely on insects, birds or bats for pollination will often have nectaries.

In a hellebore flower, the nectaries are the true petals and can be seen around the stamen and pistils. They can vary in colour and size, with flowers having larger nectaries being classed as anemone form. These nectaries will fall away after pollination.

Nitrogen

(N) A macronutrient, which forms part of all living cells. Essential in photosynthesis, as it helps form the chlorophyll causing the green pigmentation in the leaves. Essential in the growth of foliage. Nitrogen either comes from fertilizers of in the air.

Naturalising

Naturalising is a method of growing bulbs in an informal, natural way in grass or in drifts beneath the canopy of trees; varieties that are long-lived and spread by self-seeding are ideal. The foliage of species used in this way must be allowed to die down completely before the grass is mown.