What is Ornamental plant?
[[File:Senecio_angulatus_trellis.jpg|thumb|250px|Ornamental trailing plant on a trellis: ([[creeping groundsel]]).]] [[File:Flor de Orquídea - Orchid Flower.JPG|thumb|250px|''[[Vanda]]'': an [[orchid]].]] [[File:The white garden - geograph.org.uk - 301085.jpg|thumb|250px|The white garden at [[Sissinghurst Castle Garden|Sissinghurst]]]] An '''ornamental plant''' is decorative: it is grown for how it looks, and not for other values. The term is often shortened to '''ornamental''', used as a noun Ornamental plants are plants that are grown for decoration. They are on display in gardens, landscapes and inside houses. They can be used indoors as cut flowers or potted plants. The cultivation of ornamental plants comes under floriculture and tree nurseries, which is a major branch of horticulture. Ornamental plants are usually grown in the flower [[garden]], or as house plants. They are usually grown for the display of their [[flower]]s. Other common ornamental features include [[leaves]], [[scent]], [[fruit]], [[Plant stem|stem]] and [[bark]]. In all cases, their purpose is for the enjoyment of gardeners and visitors. Ornamental plants may be used for [[landscaping]], and for cut [[flower]]s. The cultivation, called [[floriculture]], is a major branch of [[horticulture]]. Ornamental plants come in a range of shapes, sizes and colours suitable to a broad array of climates, landscapes, and gardening needs. They are also often chosen for specialised looks or feels in landscape gardening. [[Charles Darwin|Darwin]] was deeply interested in plants all his life. Several of his books are on [[plant physiology]], and [[orchids]] were a passion for him.<ref>Allan, Mea 1977. ''Darwin and his flowers: the key to natural selection''. London: Faber and Faber. ISBN 0-571-10783-4</ref> Outstanding gardens can be an attraction for visitors. The white garden at [[Sissinghurst Castle]] was created by poet and writer [[Vita Sackville-West]] (1892{{ndash}}1962), and is still bringing in the paying visitors. == Related pages == *[[C