Zarelli Landscaping is more than just your local landscaper that mows lawns and lays down mulch. We offer a full variety of services, some of which you may not even know what they mean…that’s why we’ve created this brief glossary for your reference.

Aeration
A method of increasing water and oxygen into compact soil by creating tiny slices or holes throughout the area.

Annual
A plant which grows to maturity and dies within one season; most are frost-sensitive.

Biennial
A plant which produces a vegetable one season, a flower the next season, then dies. For example, parsley.

Bulb
An underground storage component of the plant, containing the stem covered by scales; bulbs are planted similarly to seeds.

Clay
A soil particle which is plate-like, extremely small and may retain nutrients well.

Compost
A soil product created from decomposed garden material, used in flower beds to add nutrients and encourage good growth.

Deciduous
A plant that looses its leaves in the winter.

Drainage
The rate that water will pass through soil.

Evergreen
A plant whose leaves or needles are green year-round.

Fertilizer
A material added to feed plants rich in nutrients, usually nitrogen (often lost with frequent mowing), phosphates and potash.

Germination
The sprouting of a seed, spore or pollen grain.

Grading
The process of changing the slope level of an area of soil.

Ground Cover
Plants which are low-growing and create a blanket appearance over an area.

Hardscaping
Refers to the built environment including paved areas like patios, retaining walls, fountains, fireplaces and firepits.

Hedge
A variety of shrubs that when planted close together will give a wall-like appearance; often used to separate areas.

Herbacous
Dying down at the end of the growing season.

Mulch
A material used to cover soil for moisture conservation and weed suppression.

Perennial
A plant living for a number of years.

Pruning
A method of cutting parts of a plant off to control size, health and appearance.

Sod
Small areas of turf ready for transplant to new locations. Often used to start a new lawn.

Topiary
A decorative style of plant growth controlled by shaping with pruning or shearing.

Transplant
Moving a plant from one location to another.

Turf
A ground cover of grass which can withstand reasonable traffic.

Variegation
A pattern of leaves that contains either white or yellow markings.