It’s time to dig up those old reasoning skills from high school because Latin is no longer only helpful for the SAT; it can actual help you in the garden, as well!

In a Denver Post article, writer Colleen Smith explores the role that the Latin language plays in the world of horticulture by consulting Jim Klett, professor and horticulturist at Colorado State University, as well as our very own Annie Huston, co-founder of Columbine Design.

While botanical names can be somewhat intimidating, both Klett and Huston encourage gardeners to embrace and even learn a little of this language if possible.

Huston explains to Smith that it’s extremely beneficial for jet setting plant lovers and gardeners to be able to use Latin names as it is the only way that plants can be internationally recognized.

But even if you are not planning on visiting gardens or exploring local fauna in other countries, botanical names can be very fulfilling to gardeners looking to go beneath the dirt surface. Annie uses the binomial Populus tremuloides as an example of how these names can reveal a plant’s history.

 ”. . . the ‘Populus‘ noun comes from the Latin word ‘peuple‘ which means ‘people,’ and that relates back to the fact that Roman plazas were planted with poplars; and ‘tremuloides‘ comes from ‘tremula‘ which means ‘to shake or tremble,’ which is what the leaves of the aspen trees do with the slightest little wind.”

If you are not ready to elevate your gardening language just yet, don’t worry; Columbine Design does not actually use botanical names in their landscaping services in order to keep things easy for clients. Of course, if you would like to impress family and friends, we are happy to provide the botanical names for a few of the plants in your newly designed landscape! To learn more about our landscaping and garden design services, contact Columbine Design in Englewood, Colorado at (303) 761-6807.

 

Photo via Botany Suite 101