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Ornamental Plants – Types, Benefits, and Care

May 26, 2023

What is Ornamental Plants

Ornamental plants are plants that are grown primarily for their beauty or aesthetic value, rather than for their food, fiber, or other practical uses. Ornamental plants can be found in a variety of settings, including homes, gardens, parks, and businesses. They come in a wide range of shapes, sizes, colors, and textures, and can be grown indoors or outdoors.

Ornamental plants, also known as Garden Plants, are grown mainly for aesthetic purposes. They can have ornamental flowers, aromatic fragrances with unique and pretty shapes. Such plants can be found in well-maintained gardens or on the roads to make a city greener and more beautiful.

Benefits of Ornamental Plants

Decorative plants have several benefits. They provide shade, retain soil heat, clean and purify the air and also create a pleasant atmosphere. Furthermore, they enhance the appearance of any place and are used to decorate spaces during weddings and festivals.

If you are looking for a way to add beauty, interest, and benefits to your home or office, consider adding some ornamental plants. There are many different types of ornamental plants to choose from, so you can find the perfect ones to suit your needs. With a little care and attention, your ornamental plants will thrive and provide you with years of enjoyment.

If you don’t have time to go to a nursery or garden center, you can also order plants online from IGP. You can order plants for your home, office, or garden, and IGP will deliver them right to your door.

Ornamental plants with names such as Rosemary, Mexican, Lemon Grass, Marigold, etc., also have medicinal uses. Some of its benefits are as follows –

Improved air quality

Ornamental plants can help to improve air quality by absorbing pollutants and releasing oxygen. This is especially beneficial in areas with poor air quality, such as cities.

Reduced stress

Studies have shown that spending time in nature can help to reduce stress levels. Ornamental plants can provide a sense of calm and relaxation, and can help to improve your overall mood.

Increased property value

Ornamental plants can add value to your home by making it more attractive to potential buyers. A study by the National Association of Realtors found that homes with well-maintained landscaping sold for an average of $15,000 more than homes without landscaping.

Increased productivity

People who work in environments with plants are more productive than those who work in environments without plants. This is likely due to the fact that plants can help to improve air quality and reduce stress levels.

Enhanced mental health

People who have access to nature have better mental health than those who do not. Ornamental plants can provide a sense of connection to nature, and can help to improve your overall mood.

Ornamental Plants Types

Trees

One of the primary sources of life on Earth is trees. While they have many uses, ornamental trees provide beautiful foliage and blooms. Gulmohar, Pride of India, Kachnar, Flame of India, Coral and Ashok trees are some of the most popular ornamental trees in India.

Shrubs

Shrubs come in different varieties, such as evergreen, deciduous, flowering and non-flowering. They come in various sizes and are a favourite option for home gardens and landscapes.

Additionally, these shrubs provide beautiful flowers and foliage. Decorative plants with names such as Rose, Jasmine, Hibiscus, Azalea, etc., offers pretty and fragrant flowers.

Herbs

Herbs not only add vibrancy to a garden but also come in useful in the kitchen to enhance the flavours of food. They are multifunctional plants with varying leaf colours, textures, fragrances, and flowers.

Herbs have several medicinal uses too. The most widely used herbs are Basil, Oregano, Thyme, Cilantro, Mint, Dill, Sage, etc.

Perennials

Perennials bloom during a set period of the year. They cannot live above ground level after the end of the season. However, these plants soon return with the following season. Perennials add foliage to the soil. They also grow in size and can be divided to create additional plants.

Annuals

Annual flowers immediately add beauty to any space. These are bedding plants and usually last an entire season. They are known for the flowers they provide and also the foliage. Annuals such as coleus with purple leaves add distinctive foliage. You can also opt for Petunias, Marigold, Gerberas, etc.

Popular Ornamental Plants

Roses

Known as the queen of flowers, roses rule the flower kingdom. They come in a variety of colours, each symbolising a different emotion. These beautiful-looking, fragrant flowers can be homegrown and are used in decorations, gifting, cosmetics, and medicines too.

Hydrangeas

These highly fragrant shrub flowers smell like honey vanilla. Due to the pleasant aroma, it attracts a lot of honeybees, bumblebees, wasps, and flies. They are widely grown in the Asian subcontinent and have over 75 species. Hydrangeas symbolise grace and gratitude.

Lavender

Lavender has around 47 species and belongs to the mint family. Lavender oil has antiseptic and anti-inflammatory properties. Therefore, you can use it to treat and heal minor burns and bug bites. Lavender oil also helps with anxiety, insomnia, and restlessness. It is cultivated in the Northern regions such as Himachal Pradesh and Kashmir.

Peonies

A compulsory mention in the ornamental plants’ list is Peonies. It is a flowering plant with around 33 known species and looks very much like a rose. In many Asian countries, these flowers represent good luck and fortune. They come in a variety of dark and light shades and bloom only during the months of April, May, June and July.

Hostas

Hosta plants provide lush foliage and require very little care. Thus, they are every gardener’s favourite. These are one of those plants that prefer to grow healthily in the shade rather than in the sun.

Marigolds

Marigolds are one of India’s favourite flowers. They bloom in yellow, red and orange colours and are used in decorations during festive occasions and religious rituals. Marigold plants are not only deer-resistant, but they also repel nematodes under the soil. They last long and symbolise brightness and positive energy.

Care and Maintenance of Ornamental Plants

Now that you know about the list of ornamental plants with names let us learn how to take care of and provide maintenance to these plants. Perennials need mulch and pruning after blooming as they can overgrow without it.

Annuals require replanting every year, so they must be discarded when fall starts to avoid attracting rodents. All ornamental plants require regular soil moisture and organic content. You can also add soil conditioners such as compost to improve strength and flowering.

Ornamental Plants – Types, Benefits, and Care

What is Ornamental Plants