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Being horticulturists, we understand the value of using scientific Latin names when it comes to talking about a specific plant species. There is one scientific Latin name assigned per plant species and that one name is recognized worldwide. No room for confusion. When talking to green industry professionals, we attempt to use the Latin name as often as possible, especially when ordering plants for a job or for growing in the nursery. This ensures that both parties are referring to the same plant.

Gailardia x grandiflora (blanketflower)

However, Garden-pedia is not only for people in the industry; it’s for everyone, including (maybe even especially) the gardening beginner. So, how to keep it simple enough and accurate enough, and not clutter the pages with too much scientific Latin? And why not just use common names all the time? Because sometimes one plant can have many common names, depending on the region of the country or world in which it is growing. There are a good number of plants that don’t even have a common name (and people make up common names as they go along, too!). Let us give you an example: Someone walks into the garden center and tells the clerk they want to purchase a red maple. Does the garden clerk sell them a red maple (Acer rubrum), or a crimson king red maple (Acer platanoides ‘Crimson King’), or even a Japanese red maple (Acer palmatum ‘Ruby Red’)? Clearly, common names don’t always get you to the plant you want. In this case, a little Latin is just what you need.

Acer palmatum ‘Crimson Queen’ (cutleaf Japanese maple)

As good horticulturists, we know we should use scientific Latin names for all plants throughout this book. We wrestled (not literally!) with this issue for some time and this is what we have decided. For the purposes of this book, we will use the scientific Latin name as often as possible and as necessary for clarity, accompanied by the common name – e.g., Quercus alba (white oak) – especially when we are talking about only one or two plants. But if we have a whole list of plants within a term definition, we will use the name most often used by gardeners. Keep in mind this might be the Latin name or the common name. Note: Scientific Latin names are always written in italics and common names in regular font.