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Glossary S

Semi Hardy

‘Semi Hardy’ corresponds to RHS Hardiness Rating: H3, with plants tolerating a Winter Minimum Temperature Range: 1 to-.5

Plants described by us as semi hardy should survive winters in mild parts of UK (including sheltered coastal areas) except in severe winters or when sudden early frosts occur, when the plant may not survive. Semi-hardy plants may survive winters elsewhere with the protection of a south- or west-facing wall or in a sheltered microclimate e.g. an inner city garden.

Sepal

Sepals form the Calyx, the outermost whorl of a flower. They are usually green and their purpose is to protect the flower in bud and to support the petals when the flower is open.

Snow-melt Plant

Plants that, in the wild, will start to bloom as the snow begins to melt, emerging to flower through the last of the snow. It is thought that the sudden release of water from the melting snow, combined with temperature and light level changes, triggers flowering. E.g. Hepatica nobilis

Stigma

The stigma is found within the female reproductive part of the flower, overall known as the pistil. When the flower opens, the stigma becomes receptive to pollen, often being slightly sticky to catch or trap the pollen, thus beginning pollination.

Stolon

A plant stem or runner, that grows horizontally out from the parent plant, producing roots and plantlets at intervals along its length.

Stooling

Where a tree is routinely cut back to a stump, to encourage the production of shoots or suckers, which are commonly harvested. Often associated with managed woodlands.

Stopping

The removal or pinching out of the growing point of a plant to slow down growth by apical dominance and encourage branching.

Stratification

The process of simulating or exposing seeds to cold wintery conditions to break seed dormancy and initiate germination. This period of cold temperatures causes chemical and physical changes within the seed to activate germination.

Style

The style is found within the female reproductive part of the flower, overall known as the pistil. It connects the stigma with the ovary, once pollen is deposited on the stigmatic surface; a pollen tube grows the length of the style to the ovary to reach the ovules.

Sub-alpine

The zone of plants found just below the tree line at altitude.

Sucker

A plant that arises from the roots of the parent plant. This will be genetically identical to the parent rootstock.

 

This can be a problem with grafted plants, where suckers from the rootstock, will differ from the grafted top growth.

Sulphur

(S) A macronutrient. Essential for producing protein, improving root growth and seed production. Helps in chlorophyll formation and resistance to the cold. Sulphur may be added to the soil by rainwater. It is also present in some fertilizers.

Systemic

Referring to a systemic herbicide. These don’t just act on the plant at the point of contact, but are carried round the plant. For example a systemic herbicide may be applied to the foliage, but may then be carried through the plant to act on the roots as well.