Plant Information

The Plant Kingdom

While the 12-phylum classification system is the most specific method of categorizing the different plant types, organizing plant species according to their tissue structure is relatively simple. Plants' tissue structures are either vascular, possessing vessels that carry fluids through the plant, or non-vascular, lacking these vessels. Flowering plants that make up the majority of plants in the plant kingdom are vascular while mosses are a common type of non-vascular plant.

Plant types can also be classified by their seed structures: spore producers (ferns), seeds produced outside of ovaries and in cones (pine trees), and seeds produced inside ovaries (flowers).

Plant Types

• Mosses and allies (bryophyta) provide the foundations for further plant growth, minimize soil erosion and add wonderful color to gardens. Because they're non-vascular and non-seed producing plants, bryophyta rely heavily on surrounding moisture and, therefore, must be planted in moist shady areas.
• Ferns (pteridophyta), like mosses, lack a vascular structure, reproduce through spores instead of seeds and must be planted in shady, moist areas of a garden. Orchids are one of the most delicate plant types of the 12,000 species of ferns that exist.
• Conifers (gymnosperms, coniderophyta) refer to plants that produce seeds outside of the ovary in cones ("naked" seeds). These plants have needle-like leaves and never produce flowers. While not a usual part of most gardens, plants such as pines, firs and spruces complement many back yards.
• Flowering Plants (angiospermophyta) make up about 83% of the plant kingdom and include most flowers, trees, fruits and vegetables. These plants that produce seeds in ovaries embedded within the flower are the primary residents of most gardens.
• Ginkgos (ginkgophyta) are considered living fossils and were predominant during the Mesozoic Era 150 million years ago. They're the only gymnosperm that produces seeds outside a cone and, therefore, are classified separately. The male variety of ginkgos, noted for their uniquely fan-shaped leaves, are more often used as garden plants due to the foul smelling fruit produced by the female variety.

Gardening

• Annuals complete their life cycle in one growing season. They come up in spring, flower, release seeds, and then die during the fall frost. Geraniums and impatiens are common annuals.
• Perennials last through multiple growing seasons but generally stay in bloom for only three to six weeks at a time. Flowers like tulips and hyacinths are common garden perennials.

Mixing annuals with perennials in a garden is the best way to ensure ongoing seasonal color. Consulting a local gardening center is always helpful when you're configuring your garden.

This section is divided into multiple articles providing information and ideas on the following types of plants:

• Annual Flowers
• Carnivorous Plants
• Desert Plants
• Epiphytes (Air Plants)
• Evergreen Plants
• Flower Bulbs
• Grassland & Prairie Plants
• Ground Cover Plants
• Houseplants
• Medicinal Plants
• Perennial Plants
• Poisonous Plants
• Pond Plants
• Tropical Plants
• Vines
• Wildflowers.