Academic Catalog

HORT 26: PLANT MATERIALS: PERENNIALS & ANNUALS

Foothill College Course Outline of Record

Foothill College Course Outline of Record
Heading Value
Effective Term: Summer 2022
Units: 2
Hours: 2 lecture per week (24 total per quarter)
Advisory: Completion of or concurrent enrollment in HORT 15 strongly recommended; not open to students with credit in HORT 51H.
Degree & Credit Status: Degree-Applicable Credit Course
Foothill GE: Non-GE
Transferable: CSU/UC
Grade Type: Letter Grade Only
Repeatability: Not Repeatable

Student Learning Outcomes

  • Students will be able to prepare a design or plant walk using annuals and perennials.
  • Identify perennials and annuals presented by botanical and common names.
  • Compare and contrast perennials and annuals features and cultural need.

Description

Identification, taxonomy, habits of growth, cultural and environmental requirements of herbaceous plants grown in California. Emphasis on the use and maintenance of significant perennial and annual species with significant features such as flower and foliage displays. Plants are observed via media and physical observation.

Course Objectives

The student will be able to:

  1. Recall the botanical and common names of at least 100 annuals and perennials and the terms used for plant identification.
  2. Recall the appearance and adaptation and use of at least 100 annuals and perennials.
  3. Compare and contrast annuals and perennials features and cultural needs in different landscape situations.
  4. Identify how the plants can be used in the landscape.
  5. Recognize the variety of ways annuals and perennials are utilized by cultures around the world.

Course Content

  1. Review of botanical and horticultural names of covered plants and the terms necessary for plant identification
  2. Detailed appearance of 100 or more annuals and perennials from around the U.S. and world, including identification of the following characteristics:
    1. Leaf type
    2. Fruit
    3. Bark
    4. Form
    5. Growth habit
  3. Identify the cultural practices related to successful plant growth
    1. Planting
    2. Disease and insect pest control
    3. Propagation
    4. Pruning
    5. Adaptation
    6. Sun/shade
    7. Soil type
    8. Moisture requirements
    9. Soil pH
    10. Pest harboring
  4. Relationship of plants covered in the course to landscape design practices, including:
    1. Color
    2. Form
    3. Texture
    4. Line
    5. Edible
    6. Functional concerns
    7. Aesthetic uses
    8. Wildlife value
    9. Poisonous
  5. Discussion of how plants can be used for different purposes by other cultures

Lab Content

Not applicable.

Special Facilities and/or Equipment

When taught online, on-going access to computer with email and internet access.

Method(s) of Evaluation

Methods of Evaluation may include but are not limited to the following:

Identification quizzes
Written midterm exam on use of plants in design situations
Written final exam on use of plants in design situations

Method(s) of Instruction

Methods of Instruction may include but are not limited to the following:

Field observation of plants
Lectures on plant characteristics
Discussions regarding use and care of plants
Assigned reading activities
Self-guided research

Representative Text(s) and Other Materials

Sunset. Sunset Western Garden Book, 9th ed.. 2012.

Dirr, Michael A.. Manual of Woody Landscape Plants, 6th ed.. 2009.

These editions are over five years old, but are considered standard in the industry.

Types and/or Examples of Required Reading, Writing, and Outside of Class Assignments

Typical reading assignments will include researching up to 15 plant species per week (approximately 20 pages of reading) in representative texts. Reading assignments will also include review of Foothill Hort Plant Database.

Discipline(s)

Ornamental Horticulture