PSS 125 Woody Landscape Plants

Fall Semester 2007

 

 

Instructor:                                 Dr. Mark C. Starrett, Hills Science Building, Room 5

                                                Phone:  656-0467.  E-mail:  Mark.Starrett@uvm.edu                                      

 

 

 

Teaching assistant:                    Steve Torosian. Stephen.Torosian@uvm.edu  13 Hills. Office Hours: Thurs. 1- 3 PM

                                   

Textbook:                                 Manual of Woody Landscape Plants,

                                                Michael Dirr, Stipes Publishing Co., 5th ed. 1998.

                                                     

Optional texts:                           DirrŐs Hardy Trees and Shrubs.  Michael A. Dirr, Timber Press, 1997

                                                     

                                                Landscape Plants for Vermont.  Norman E. Pellett and Mark C. Starrett, 2002

                                                                       

                                                Landscape Plants for Eastern North America

                                                Harrison L. Flint, John Wiley and Sons, Inc. 2nd edition, 1997

                                                                       

                                                Landscape Plants:  Their Identification, Culture, and Use

                                                Ferrell M. Bridwell, Delmar Publishers, Inc., 2nd edition, 2003

                                               

Websites:                                  Cary Award Winning Plants (http://www.caryaward.org/)

                                                National Arborday Foundation (http://www.arborday.org/trees/whatzone.html)

                                                NCSU Consumer Horticulture (http://www.ces.ncsu.edu/depts/hort/consumer/)

                                                Noble Foundation (http://www.noble.org/webapps/plantimagegallery/woodies.aspx)

                                                Oregon State U. Plant Images (http://www.orst.edu/dept/ldplants/)

                                                OSU Plant Images (http://www.hcs.ohio-state.edu/hort/plantlisting/)

                                                USDA Plants Guide (http://plants.usda.gov/)

                                                Vascular Plant Images (http://www.csdl.tamu.edu/FLORA/gallery.htm)

                                                Virtual Campus Plant Walks (http://www.hort.uconn.edu/plants/)

 

Format:                                     Two 1-hour lectures on Tues./Thurs., 11:00 am - 12:00 PM, and

                                                one 2 3/4-hour lab period per week on Tuesdays,

                                                12:30 - 3:15 PM, Room 17 Hills Science

 

Description:                               In this course, we will study the art and science of woody plant

                                                identification.  We will also study the culture, use, and adaptation of

                                                ornamental plants in specific landscape situations.

 

Objectives:                                The student will be able to:

                                                1.)  Identify Č 250 plants by their scientific and common name, using correct spelling!

                                                2.)  Determine the most desirable ornamental characteristics for these plants.

                                                3.)  Determine the most suitable locations for specific plants based on their cultural

                                                      requirements and landscape characteristics.

                                                4.)  Master the skill of plant observation and description, both orally and in writing.

 

Assignments:                             12 Plant Identification Quizzes = 60% (you may drop your two lowest scores)

                                                Weekly collection of pressed samples and final presentation = 10%

                                                1 Culture and Identification Midterm Exam = 15%

                                                1 Culture and Identification Final Exam =  15%

 

Grading:                       A+        =          97 - 100%                      C          =          73 - 76%

                                    A          =          93 – 96%                       C-         =          70 - 72%

                                    A-         =          90 - 92%                        D+        =          67 - 69%

                                    B+        =          87 - 89%                        D          =          63 - 66%

                                    B          =          83 - 86%                        D-         =          60 - 62%

                                    B-         =          80 - 82%                        F          =          below 60%

                                    C+        =          77 - 79%

 

UVM Academic Integrity Code and UVM Code of Student Rights and Responsibilities.  http://www.uvm.edu/~uvmppg/ppg/?Page=alphalist.php