Including Examiners Comments R11 UNDERSTANDING THE CHOICE, ESTABLISHMENT & MAINTENANCE OF GARDEN PLANTS & LAWNS Level Tuesday 9 February 01 11:0 1:10 Written Examination Candidate Number: Candidate Name: Centre Number/Name:.. IMPORTANT Please read carefully before commencing: i) The duration of this paper is 50 minutes; ii) iii) iv) ALL questions should be attempted; EACH question carries 10 marks; Write your answers legibly in the lined space provided. It is NOT necessary that all lined space is used in answering the questions; v) Use METRIC measurements only; vi) vii) viii) Use black or blue ink only. Pencil can be used for drawing purposes only; Where plant names are required, they should include genus, species and where appropriate, cultivar; Where a question requires a specific number of answers; only the first answers given that meet the question requirement will be accepted, regardless of the number of answers offered; ix) Please note, when the word distinct is used within a question, it means that the items have different characteristics or features. Ofqual Unit Code T/01/03 1 Please turn over/..
Q1 a) ANSWER ALL QUESTIONS State what is meant by EACH of the following terms in relation to seasonal displays: i) bedding; ii) tropical. i)... ii)... Name TWO distinct plants suitable for seasonal displays for EACH of the following: i) edging; ii) groundwork (infill); iii) dot plant. i)... ii)... iii)... Total Mark Please see over/..
Q a) Describe TWO methods of staking herbaceous perennials in a border. Name FOUR distinct herbaceous perennial plants suitable for growing in an herbaceous border. 4 3 Total Mark Please turn over/..
Q3 a) Describe how to plant shrubs in a domestic garden to ensure successful establishment. 7 Name THREE distinct shrubs suitable for a small garden. 3 Total Mark Please see over/.. 4
Q4 a) Describe the soil characteristics required when growing alpine or rock garden plants in open ground. Name FOUR distinct alpine or rock garden plants. 4 Total Mark 5 Please turn over/..
Q5 a) State SIX annual maintenance tasks carried out on aquatic plants in a garden pool. Name TWO distinct aquatic plants for EACH of the following groups: i) floating; ii) marginal. i)... ii)... Total Mark Please see over/..
Q Describe the annual maintenance of a high quality ornamental lawn under EACH of the following headings: i) scarification; ii) feeding. i)... ii)...... ******* 7 4 Total Mark
These questions are the property of the Royal Horticultural Society. They must not be reproduced or sold. The Royal Horticultural Society, Wisley, Woking, Surrey GU3 QB. Charity Registration Number: 879/SC038 8
R11 UNDERSTANDING THE CHOICE, ESTABLISHMENT & MAINTENANCE OF GARDEN PLANTS & LAWNS Level Tuesday 9 February 01 Candidates Registered 587 Total Candidates Passed 41 83.91% Candidates Entered 491 83.5% Passed with Commendation 1 43.99% Candidates Absent/Withdrawn 85 14.48% Passed 19 39.9% Candidates Deferred 11 1.87% Failed 79 1.09% Senior Examiner s Comments: 1 Candidates should be able to demonstrate a good range of plant knowledge and be able to give accurately named plant examples where appropriate. Common names and generic names are often too vague and cannot be rewarded in the positive manner that genus, species and where appropriate, variety/cultivar can. This is particularly important when answering questions relating to particular (named) plant(s). Marks can only be awarded for these narratives where the example(s) are correctly and fully identified. Candidates must be able to display accurate knowledge of the technical terms and concepts detailed in the syllabus, in the context of horticulture and also be aware that wider interpretation will not be rewarded. The examination should be regarded as a possible introduction to higher level studies, which will only be open to those who are in possession of a clear understanding of the horticultural terms and concepts which are current. 3 The introductory rubric given on the first page of each question paper should be read carefully by candidates. At each examination there are a significant number of candidates who ignore or misread the instructions given and consequently may not perform as well as they could have done. 9
4 Candidates should pace themselves during each paper. The most successful candidates allow sufficient time to read the question thoroughly before answering it and also take time to read through their answers. They should take care to write as legibly as possible, so that the examiner is in no doubt about what is intended. 5 Candidates need to interpret key words within questions, particularly those such as state, list and describe. Questions requiring descriptions or explanations obviously require a more detailed answer than those requiring a list. It is important to ensure that responses to questions are to the point. Candidates should bear in mind that small sketches might be used to convey information more succinctly than words. 7 Successful candidates ensure that their answers are focused and to the point. It is disappointing when they cannot be rewarded for their efforts because the answer is irrelevant to the particular question. Candidates should take note of the mark allocation for specific sections and allocate their time and efforts accordingly. 8 Diagrams can enhance an answer and where appropriate can replace detailed descriptions. They should be large, clear and well annotated, ensuring that labels are properly attached to the features they describe. Diagrams should preferably be in pencil. Colour may be used successfully but only where it is relevant to the answer. 9 In each examination it is clear that some candidates are ill prepared to answer papers of the type set. It is essential that candidates have the opportunity to practice questions. Ideally some papers should be answered in a time constrained situation. Appropriate feedback must, in any case be provided. 10
Q1 a) State what is meant by EACH of the following terms in relation to seasonal displays: i) bedding; ii) tropical. Name TWO distinct plants suitable for seasonal displays for EACH of the following: i) edging; ii) groundwork (infill); iii) dot plant. Q1a) The best candidates were able to state clearly what is meant by the specific terms in relation to seasonal bedding and gained full marks. Suitable answers included: i) Bedding refers to the temporary planting of fast growing plants in flower beds to create colourful displays. Bedding is usually planted twice a year; in the autumn to provide winter/spring displays and in the late spring to provide summer displays. Plants used for bedding are generally annuals, biennials or tender perennials. ii) Tropical refers to the effect that the plants provide i.e. tropical style a tropical look or an exotic effect rather than the use of only tropical plants. To give the effect plants with large, bold, dramatic, highly colourful (hot colours), lush foliage are used. Examples include: Canna indica, Ricinus communis, Musa basjoo, Paulownia tomentosa and Catalpa bignonioides. Q1 The majority of candidates provided a range of suitable plants for the distinct sections of a seasonal display and gained full marks. Acceptable answers included: i) Edging Lobelia erinus, Ageratum houstonianum, Begonia semperflorens. ii) iii) Groundwork (Infill) Pelargonium zonale, Erysimum cheiri, Salvia splendens. Dot Plant - Ricinus communis, Canna indica, Kochia trichophylla. 11
Q a) Describe TWO methods of staking herbaceous perennials in a border. Name FOUR distinct herbaceous perennial plants suitable for growing in an herbaceous border. 4 Qa) A range of methods of staking herbaceous perennials were described by candidates who were awarded full marks. These included: The use of Betula or Corylus sticks which are positioned as the plant is coming into growth in the spring ensuring that minimal damage is made to the crown of the plant and its roots. The plant whose foliage hides the support is supported by growing up through it. Individual flowerheads of plants e.g. Delphinium can be staked using bamboo canes. The canes are obscured by the flower and are tied in using discrete coloured biodegradeable twine. Candidates who included diagrams to illustrate the staking methods were also awarded marks. Q Candidates who were able to name a range of herbaceous perennials suitable for growing in an herbaceous border e.g. Anemone x hybrida Honorine Jobert, Echinacea purpurea, Sedum Herbstfreude and Bergenia cordifolia were awarded full marks. Candidates who named shrubs could not be awarded any marks. 1
Q3 a) Describe how to plant shrubs in a domestic garden to ensure successful establishment. 7 Name THREE distinct shrubs suitable for a small garden. 3 Q3a) Most candidates were able to give good descriptions of how to plant a shrub and were awarded full marks. The best answers included the following details: Removal of weeds from the top of the rootball and water if required. Carry out any formative or health related pruning. Dig a hole 50% wider than the rootball and to the same depth. Place the plant in the hole, backfill and firm in stages ensuring that the plant is at the same level as it was in the container. Placing garden compost as a mulch around the base of the plant to a depth of 75-100mm, keeping it away from the stem. There are many different theories on how to plant shrubs and where candidates described the application of fertiliser e.g. Blood, Fish and Bone at a rate of 70g per m² or the inclusion of mycorrhiza marks were awarded. Q3 The majority of candidates were able to name a range of shrubs including: Choisya ternata, Berberis darwinii, Euonymus fortunei Emerald Gaiety, Viburnum davidii and gained full marks. 13
Q4 a) Describe the soil characteristics required when growing alpine or rock garden plants in open ground. Name FOUR distinct alpine or rock garden plants. 4 Q4a) Candidates who clearly understood the soil characteristics required to grow alpine or rock garden plants were awarded full marks. Suitable answers included: Good drainage. Good aeration. Moisture retentive. Retain suitable levels of nutrients. Free from pests and diseases. Free from weeds and weed seeds. Suitable ph for the plants being grown. Candidates who described how to prepare the soil could not be awarded any marks as this was not asked for. Q4 Most candidates were able to name a range of alpine or rock garden plants and gained full marks. Acceptable answers included: Armeria maritima, Phlox subulata, Dryas octopetala, Lewisia cotyledon and Lthodora diffusa Heavenly Blue. 14
Q5 a) State SIX annual maintenance tasks carried out on aquatic plants in a garden pool. Name TWO distinct aquatic plants for EACH of the following groups: i) floating; ii) marginal. Q5a) The best candidates stated a wide range of maintenance tasks that are carried out on aquatic plants and gained full marks. Suitable tasks included: Dividing and re-potting deep water aquatics in spring e.g. waterlilies. Dead head flowers in summer and remove dying foliage. Remove debris from plants early in the autumn to avoid decomposing vegetation building up in the pool. Thin out excessive growth of oxygenating plants. Application of aquatic fertiliser into containers of established plants. Removal of algae by wrapping it around a cane or by the use of a rake. Lower deep water aquatics by removing the bricks they have been positioned on. Check and control pests e.g. aphids by washing off with a jet of water. Q5 Most candidates were able to provide suitable examples of both floating and marginal aquatic plants and were awarded full marks. i) Floating Hydrocharis morsus ranae, Ceratophyllum demersum, Stratiotes aloides. ii) Marginal Calla palustris, Menyanthes trifoliata, Pontederia cordata. 15
Q Describe the annual maintenance of a high quality ornamental lawn under EACH of the following headings: i) scarification; ii) feeding. 4 Q) The majority of candidates described the annual maintenance of a high quality ornamental lawn well and gained full marks. Suitable answers for the specific tasks included: i) Scarification This is the removal of thatch which is the build-up of debris e.g. weeds, dead grass and moss over the season. It is removed by the vigorous raking in two directions of the lawn surface using a spring tined rake, a tractor mounted or pedestrian operated mechanised scarifier. It is carried out in the autumn or spring when the soil is slightly moist to a depth of approximately 15mm. Candidates who confused aeration with scarification could not be awarded any marks. ii) Feeding This can take place either in the spring where a high nitrogen feed is applied or in the autumn where a low nitrogen but high potassium feed is applied. Fertiliser can be applied in two directions to obtain a more even distribution by dividing the total amount of 35g per m² in half. Apply the fertiliser when the soil is moist or when rain is expected. If this does not occur shortly after the fertiliser has been applied then the lawn must be irrigated. If the lawn loses its vigour and freshness between late spring and late summer (May to August) it is possible to repeat the spring fertiliser application. ******* 1