A Gardeners Forum Forums Gardening Reference Gardening in 2006 Plant Pronunciation Guide

Okay, I will just add a new word onto this post everyday.....I'll try to keep it in alphabetical order too......so let's see todays word will be:

1-Abutilon hybridum--a-BEW-tih-lahn HY-brih-dum. Flowering maple.
http://www.thegardenhelper.com/abutilon.html


*2-Acalypha hispida--ak-uh-LIE-fuh HISS-pih-duh.

Chenille Plant


3-Achillea--ah-KILL-lee-ah. Yarrow.
http://www.thegardenhelper.com/Achillea.htm


4-Ageratum--ah-JER-ah-tum (usually pronounced ah-juh-RAY-tuhm). See this is a common one that actually has 2 different ways to say it....Also called the Floss flower zones 1-24. Blue flowers in tight clusters resemble powder puffs. Most form foot wide clumps and have soft green leaves that are usually heart shaped. Full sun to part shade.


5-Ajuga--ah-JEW-gah. Bugleweed.
http://www.thegardenhelper.com/ajuga.html


6-Allium cepa--AL-lee-um. Onions.
http://www.thegardenhelper.com/onion.htm


7-Amaryllis--am-uh-RIL-is Okay an easier one to pronounce for most of us probably, but maybe not for some.....Also called Belladonna lily, or Naked Lady. Perennial from bulb, zones 4-24. Full sun. Long lived plant that performs best in areas with warm, dry summers. Clusters of 4-12 fragrant rosy pink trumpet shaped flowers.
http://www.thegardenhelper.com/amaryllis.html

8-Aquilegia--ak-wuh-LEE-jee-uh. Columbine--Perennials--zones vary by species. Full sun or light shade. Regular Water.
http://www.thegardenhelper.com/Aquilegia.htm

9-Armeria maritima--are-MARE-ee-uh mare-ih-TEYE-muh. Sea Pink. Perennial.

http://www.thegardenhelper.com/Armeria.htm


10-Aspidistra--as-puh-DIS-truh. Cast Iron plant. Common as houseplant. Moderate to Regular Water...Dark green leaf blades are 1-2 1/2 feet lont, 3-4 inches wide. Thrives in conditions unacceptable to most plants.


11-Astilbe--as-STIL-bee. False Spiraea. Perennials. zones 1-7, 14-17. Full sun in cooler climates only, regular water. Mainstay of the shady perennial border. Small white, pink, or red flowers.
http://www.thegardenhelper.com/astilbe.html

12-Bougainvillea--boo-guhn-VIL-ee-uh. Evergreen shrubby vine. zones 12-17, 19, 21-24. Full sun. Moderate to regular water. Reaches 15-30 ft
depending on variety. Comes in many different vibrant colors in single and double flowered types. http://www.thegardenhelper.com/pdj/03280058.JPG


13-Buddleia--BUD-lee-uh. Butterfly Bush. Full Sun in North, full sun to part sun in south. Average moisture best, but tolerates drought. zones 5 to 10; tops die to ground in zones 5 and 6. Lightly scented tapered sprays of flowers come in purple, blue, lavender, pink, or white. http://www.thegardenhelper.com/Buddleia.htm

14-Caladium--kuh-LAY-dee-uhm. Fancy leafed Caladium. Be careful of the sap because it can cause swelling in the throat and mouth.
http://www.thegardenhelper.com/ubb/ultimatebb.php/topic/28/75.html


15-Calendula--kuh-LEN-dew-luh. Marigold. Annual. Full sun. Moderate Water.
http://www.thegardenhelper.com/barb/calendula.html
http://www.thegardenhelper.com/barb/calenduherb.html


*16-Centaurea cyanus. Sen-TOR-ee-uh sy-AN-us. Bachelors Buttons.


*17-Chlorophytum comosum. CLOR-oh-fie-tum co-MOE-sum. Spider plant.
http://www.thegardenhelper.com/spiderplant.htm


18-Clematis--KLEM-uh-tis. Deciduous and evergreen vines. zones vary by species. Roots cool, top in sun. Regular water.
http://www.thegardenhelper.com/clematis.htm

*19-Cotoneaster--Kuh-TOE-nee-as-ter.


20-Dianthus--dy-ANN-thus. Carnations, pinks, and Sweet Williams.

http://www.thegardenhelper.com/dianthus.html


21-Dieffenbachia--deef-uhn-BAK-ee-uh. Dumb Cane. Mostly used indoors as houseplants. Moderate Water. http://www.thegardenhelper.com/dumbcane.html


*22-Dracaena fragrans--Druh-SEEN-uh FRAY-gruns. Corn plant.
http://www.thegardenhelper.com/cgi-bin/ubb/cgi/ultimatebb.cgi/topic/4/1907.html?


*23-Epipremnum aureum--eh-pih-PREM-num AWR-ee-um. Golden Pothos(Devils Ivy).


*24- Euonymus alatus- you-AHN-ih-muss uh-LAY-tus. Winged spindle tree, or burning bush.


25-Echinacea Purpurea--eh-kih-NAY-shah per-per-EE-ah. Purple Coneflowers.
http://www.thegardenhelper.com/Echinacea.htm

26-Epimedium--ep-ih-MEE-dee-um. Bishops Cap.
http://www.thegardenhelper.com/epimedium.html


27-Ficus--FYE-kuhs. Rubber plant. http://www.thegardenhelper.com/rubberplant.htm

http://www.thegardenhelper.com/ficus.html
http://www.thegardenhelper.com/staking.htm


28-Fragaria--fra-GAIR-ee-uh. Strawberries.
http://www.thegardenhelper.com/strawberries.html

29-Gaillardia--gay-LAHR-dee-uh. Blanketflower. http://www.thegardenhelper.com/Gaillardia.htm
*30-Gypsophila paniculata- jip-SOF-uh-luh pan-ik-yew-LAHT-ah. Baby's Breath.

31-Hedera--HED-uh-ruh. Ivy.
http://www.thegardenhelper.com/growingivy.html http://www.thegardenhelper.com/Ivy.htm http://www.thegardenhelper.com/quickies.htm http://www.thegardenhelper.com/ivy3.htm http://www.thegardenhelper.com/ivy2.htm
32-Hemerocallis--hem-uh-roe-KAL-uhs. Daylily. http://www.thegardenhelper.com/daylily.html

33-Hibiscus--hye-BIS-kuhs. http://www.thegardenhelper.com/hibiscus.htm

34-Hosta--HAHST-uh. Plantain lily. Well know and loved in the shady garden... http://www.thegardenhelper.com/hosta.html

35-Hydrangea--hye-DRAIN-jee-uh http://www.thegardenhelper.com/Hydrangea.htm

36-Ipomoea--ip-oe-MEE-uh. Morning glory.
http://www.thegardenhelper.com/morningglory.htm

37-Iris--EYE-riss. Iris. http://www.thegardenhelper.com/iris.html

38-Kniphofia--nip-HOE-fee-uh. Red hot poker, torch lilies. http://www.thegardenhelper.com/tritoma.html
39-Lathyrus--LATH-uh-ruhs. Sweet Pea. http://www.thegardenhelper.com/Lathyrus.htm

*40- Lirope Muscari– Ler-EYE-oh-pee Muhsk-AR-ee. Blue lilyturf.

41-Lonicera--lo-NIS-ur-ruh. Honeysuckle.
http://www.thegardenhelper.com/honeysuckle.htm

42-Monarda didyma--mo-NAR-dah DID-ih-mah. Bee Balm.
http://www.thegardenhelper.com/Monarda.htm

43-Musa--MEW-zuh. Banana.
http://www.thegardenhelper.com/banana2.htm http://www.thegardenhelper.com/banana.htm


44-Nandina(domestica)--nan-DEE-nuh. Heavenly Bamboo
http://www.thegardenhelper.com/nandina.html

45-Narcissus--nahr-SIS-uhs. Daffodils. http://www.thegardenhelper.com/daffodils.htm

46-Oxalis--OK-sal-uhs. Shamrocks. http://www.thegardenhelper.com/shamrock.htm

47-Paeonia--Pay-OH-nee-ah. Peony.
http://www.thegardenhelper.com/peony.html


48-Pelargonium--pel-ahr-GOE-nee-uhm. Geranium. http://www.thegardenhelper.com/geranium.htm http://www.thegardenhelper.com/geraniums.htm


49-Philadephus--fil-uh-DEL-fuhs. Mock Orange.
http://www.thegardenhelper.com/mockorange.htm


50-Potentilla--poe-ten-TIL-uh. Cinquefoil.
http://www.thegardenhelper.com/Potentilla.htm


51-Primula--PRIM-ew-luh. Primrose.
http://www.thegardenhelper.com/primrose.html


52-Rosmarinus--ros-muh-RYE-nuhs. Rosemary.
http://www.thegardenhelper.com/rosemary.html


53-Rudbeckia--rud-BECK-ee-uh. Black eyed Susan. The state flower of Maryland!

http://www.thegardenhelper.com/Rudbeckia.htm


*54- Sansevieria trifasciata. San-seh-VEER-ee-uh Try-fas-ee-AH-tuh. Snake plant(Mother in law's tongue.) Snake Plant.

*55- Schefflera arboricola- Schef-LAIR-uh Ar-bor-ih-KOH-luh.
schefflera

56-Schizanthus--Ski-ZAN-thuhs. Poor Mans Orchid, Butterfly flower.
http://www.thegardenhelper.com/Schizanthus.htm

*57-Schlumbergera truncata. Shlum-BER-ger-uh Trun-KAY-tuh. Thanksgiving Cactus.

*58-Sedum morganianum-- SEE-dum Mor-gan-ee-AY-num. Burros Tail.

*59-Soleirolia soleirolii- Sol-eh-ROH-lee-uh Sol-eh-ROH-lee-eye. Baby's Tears.

60-Strelitzia--stre-LIT-see-uh. Bird of Paradise.
http://www.thegardenhelper.com/birdofparadise.htm http://www.thegardenhelper.com/strelitzia.htm

*61- Tradescantia zebrina(Zebrina Pendula) Trad-es-KANT-ee-uh Zeb-REE-nuh. Wandering Jew

62-Zantedeschia--zan-tuh-DES-kee-uh. Calla lily.
http://www.thegardenhelper.com/callalily.htm


63-Zephyranthes--zef-i-RAN-theez. Fairy lily.
http://www.thegardenhelper.com/fairylily.htm

64-Zinnia Elegans--Zin-ee-uh EL-eh-gehnz. Zinnias.
http://www.thegardenhelper.com/ubb/ultimatebb.php/topic/26/1167.html

woooohoooo <img border="0" alt="[clappy]" title="" src="graemlins/clappy.gif" /> thats not so hard...thank you!!!

Linda

You wouldn't believe how I've been pronouncing it!

Dianna

That's wonderful.

Of course, I had to see what it looks like and now I want some. lol.

This could be dangerous to my budget. <img border="0" alt="[perplexed]" title="" src="graemlins/confused.gif" />

This is wonderful - keep on with this. That's the reason I rarely speak of plants by their botanical names - I never know how to pronounce them.

I can spell just about anything, but pronouncing it? Ha!

cast iron plant? I got to see this. What a wonderful way to learn new things.

Cast Iron Plant

Ha, I have just the place for it. It says it will almost grow in the dark. There is a corner of my apartment where I could really use something like this.

Glad you guys like the guide .......and you know, I have a few darker corners that I could stick a cast iron plant in myself.....not a bad idea....My hubby would just shake his head and say not ANOTHER houseplant.....He claims that it's starting to feel like the jungles of South America here in the house.....he he he. Just the way I like it.....the more plants in the house, the better I feel......

ABSOLUTELY,

...more is better!!!!!!

And your guide is fannnnnnnnnnnnntastic.

great idea.

Who me, have a tomato to add to this? *innocent look*

Azoychka: Ah-ZOYCH-ka, Russian heirloom, early indeterminate, on the larger size for an early (8-12 oz), mild flavour. seeds available from Tomato Grower's Supply.

Hey,

The addition of the links is a wonderful idea. The more information I can get the better chance I have of some of it sticking around awhile.

This is really nice of you and I appreciate it.

How about Zinnia's, nicotania, verbascum, and allium?

I'm adding 8 new words alphabetically in the pronunciation guide.....the new words will have a * in front of them to signify that they are new.....

Pronunciation - whew!

Someone told me how to pronounce Kahlil Gibran's name the other day - whoa! Was I off or what.

Don't ask me to repeat it either - I'm going to get her to do it again for me.

Thanks for the list. Now I know why garden center folk laugh at me. I always thought they were just happy folk. Tee Hee!

this is great thx.. hope your right about them all (y)

Wonderful!

Thanks for the great guide...the pronunciation defnly beats the complex chemistry names we wud ve read!

Ahh...finally I can use the "real" names comfortably...

Glad you like it Nittrox!!!!

laura

Lucky I'm deaf - I have a good excuse to mispronounce!

This is great. Thank you.

I need to add more words to it....I'll get on that soon....Glad you like it!

Oh mistress-o-the-spoken-word,
could you please add these to your pronounciation guide.

Cotoneaster
Liriope
Canpanula (I was just informed that I was pronouncing that wrong all this time)
Heuchera
Mandevilla

ps. we have kinda lazy speech down here and pronounce some of them slightly differently:
Dif-en-BAHK-ee-ah
Clem-AA-tis
RU-beck-ee-ah (the little d must have gone to Big D to shop)
Ga-YARD-ee-ah (but oddly, not Amar-EE-is, because we only speak Spanish 50% of the time?

Here's a special one for your tongue twister collection.
Ampelopsis brevipendunculata. (my mom calls this the Pina colada plant)

And one for the 'names so cool, I'll name a child this one day'....Metasequoia Glyptostraboides. (can't you just see that one on a personalized mug. And you thought 'Apple' was weird).

I'll be sure to get on those words!

Thanks lots for all the work. I really appreciate the list.

Glad you like it rosepetal!

OMG, Loz! I just stumbled on this thread by accident and I'm going to have to visit it again soon when I have some time.
I have been trying to pronounce some of those plants names and I'm sure I'm not even coming close to what the real pronunciation is!

Oh thank you for adding this....Haven't had a clue what some people are referring to when they talk like that. Usually say something stupid, like does it bloom? lol. How do you say Russian Olive in fancy talk?

Thanks.. It amazes me how everytime i sign on this site, I learn something new!

How about-
Liriope, Lilyturf Liriope muscari, L. spicata
Please, thank you.

Okay, I'm printing the suggestions off so I can get them put into the guide......

Hopefully I'll get them put in here tomorrow!

I'm going to need a little longer, I'm doing a bigger update than I thought I would....haven't forgotten, it just takes time!

You are such a gem Loz for doing this for us!

It's totally my pleasure!

It's just a tad more time consuming than I remembered.

OK,..here's one that I would like clarified. Euonymous. The young girl at my local nursery said that it is pronounced 2 ways (???)
you-nah-muss OR you-on-ah-muss. So which is it??

I'll let you know, I'm almost done writing up the updates!

I wanna to discuss about peony or dahlia.
Come on!