Ornamental plants

Article By:

Stoutemyer, Vernon T. Department of Agriculture Sciences, University of California, Los Angeles, California.

Neely, Dan Illinois Natural History Survey, Urbana, Illinois.

Lawson, Roger H. Plant Industry Station, U.S. Department of Agriculture, Beltsville, Maryland.

Alfieri, S. A., Jr. Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, Gainesville, Florida.

Last reviewed:2014

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1036/1097-8542.476300

The use of ornamental plants developed early in history for it is known that primitive peoples planted them near their dwellings. There was much use of flowers in the Greek and Roman worlds and a small plant nursery was found in the ruins of Pompeii. Gardening in various forms has been a part of the cultures of all known great civilizations. Although increased urbanization has often reduced the areas which can be devoted to ornamentals, nevertheless there is a growing interest in them and the sums spent for plants and horticultural supplies are quite large. New plants from various parts of the world are constantly being introduced by individuals and by botanic gardens and arboreta.

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