A Class Grows

Landscape Plant Materials is a class which fits into the Horticulture curriculum. It fosters growth, not just of the mind but plants. Anyone can plop a plant in the ground. It takes knowledge to properly place a plant in suitably amended soil while giving consideration to the proper requirements of sun, shade, water, room for growth and proper pruning techniques.

Trees, shrubs, flowers, ornamental grasses, ground covers, vines, ferns, mosses, and even cacti are all plants. This is a class for the lover of fresh air. Much of the education is garnered outside during field trips to nurseries, orchards, vineyards, gardens, arboretums and the campus’ fields and woods.

Are you aware of the plant diversification right here on campus? The trees we pass as we traipse to Keats and Dickinson are nothing compared to what awaits us at the north end of campus. There are lovely private nooks and benches to sit on as we study the wide variety of plants provided by PVCC. Do you know what a Deodar Cedar looks like? Probably not what you have in mind. Have you ever seen a deciduous cedar? It drops its needles in the fall and looks dead during winter, regaining its green cloak in the spring. We drive by it each time we climb the hill on College Drive.

The class meets in the Keats Science Building. Instructor, Nathan Miller received his Bachelors/Concentration, Art and Environmental Studies from Bridgewater College and Masters, Landscape Architecture from Clemson University.