HRT 211: Landscape Plants I

Course Code: HRT 211

Credits and Offerings

  • 3 credits (2 lecture and 2 lab hours every week)
  • Fall semester of every year

Course objectives

  1. To be able to identify approximately 250 plants: shade trees, summer and fall flowering trees, shrubs, herbaceous perennials, vines, groundcovers, wildflowers, ferns, and aquatic plants.  This includes knowing the scientific name(s), selected cultivars, common name(s), and the plant family.  Identification involves seeing parts of or the whole plant.
  2. To be able to select plants for specific purposes and site conditions.  This includes knowing the environmental requirements of specific plants, their desirable and undesirable characteristics, their landscape uses, and major insect and disease problems.
  3. To develop an appreciation for the great diversity and beauty of ornamental landscape plants.

 

Topics

  • Taxonomic nomenclature
  • Plant morphological characteristics important for identification
  • General plant uses in the landscape
  • Pests, abiotic problems, and cultural and environmental requirements of select:
  • Herbaceous perennials and groundcovers
  • Shade trees
  • Summer and Fall flowering trees
  • Vines

Activities

  • Plant identification walks around the MSU campus

Instructor