Assignmenton

FLA-504

Topic: Non-plant components

Submitted to,Dr.Bijit Saud

Associate ProfessorDeptt. Of Horticulture

AAU, Jorhat

Submitted by,RUBY SHARMA

11-AMJ-54MSc.(Agri) 6th year

Deptt. Of Horticulture

NON PLANT COMPONENTS OF GARDEN

Non plant components are those components of gardens which are used other then plant components, i.e non plant components are non-living in nature. These are the items used for garden, landscape, and park enhancement and decoration.

The category can include:

1. Bird bath: A bird bath is an artificial "puddle" or small shallow pond, created

with a water- filled basin, in which birds may bathe and 'cool off,', and from which they may drink. A birdbath is an attraction for many different species of birds to visit gardens, especially during the summer and drought periods. Birdbaths that provide a reliable source of water year round add to the popularity and "micro-habitat" support. Birdbaths can be pre-made basins on pedestals and columns or hang from leaves and trees, or be carved out depressions in rocks and boulders. Requirements include: a shallow gradually deepening basin; enough open surroundings to minimize cats' stalking; clean and renewed-refilled water; and cleaning to avoid contamination and mosquitoes. Two inches of water in the centre is sufficient for most backyard birds, because they do not submerge their bodies, only dipping their wings to splash water on their backs. A birdbath requires regular maintenance. Maintenance may be as simple as a daily quick wash and refill, but it will depend on the birdbath materials. 

2. Fountain: A fountain, is a piece of architecture which pours water into a

basin or jets it into the air to supply drinking water and/or for a decorative or dramatic effect. Fountains are made to work by re-circulating or recycling the water contained in a pool. To make these fountains beautiful and colourful during nights, coloured lights fitted with automatic control of their colour change at regular intervals are placed under water with water proof fittings.

3. Garden furniture:

It  is a type of furniture specifically designed for outdoor use. It is typically made of weather-resistant materials. Garden furniture is often sold as a patio set consisting of a table, four or six chairs, and a (parasol). The most commonly sold types of patio sets are made of plastic, wood, aluminium, wicker, and wrought iron. Garden benches are also used.

Wooden garden furniture can suffer through exposure to the elements and therefore needs to be periodically treated. Teak is a commonly used material for outdoor furniture. It naturally contains silica, which makes it resistant to fungal decay, many of the effects of water (such as rot, swelling and warping), as well as chemicals. It is also resistant to fire, acid and alkalis, and there are certain oils specifically for the treatment of teak to help it resist weather and the adverse effects of being outside.

Aluminium garden furniture is robust and long-lasting. However, if the protective coating is compromised it will corrode. Plastic garden furniture is naturally waterproof, so it can be left out year-round.

4. Ornamental Tubs, Urns, and vases:

Suitable ornamental plants displayed in ornamental tubs or urns and vases of timber or preferably of brick, concrete, or craved out of stone at suitable places look beautiful. It can be build permanently in positioned over an ornamental pillar or made mobile and moved wherever needed to be placed.eg: At the end of paved path or one each on both sides, or near the gate or near the staircase of the main entrance.

5. Window Boxes:  A long narrow box, placed on or outside a windowsill, in which

plants are grown. These are also useful garden ornaments.

6. Sundial: A sundial is a device that tells the time of day by the position of the

Sun. There are different types of sundials: Some sundials use a line of light to indicate the time. Others use the edge of a shadow. The spot of light may be formed by allowing the sun's rays through a small hole or reflecting them from a small circular mirror. A line of light may be formed by allowing the rays through a thin slit or focusing them through a cylindrical lens. In India sundial made of concrete or stone with the digits craved on the cement. Before fixing the dial the movement of the sun is observed and then the dial is screwed to the base. The height of the column should not exceed60-90 cm or the dial should not be visible easily.

7. Statue: A statue is a sculpture in the round representing one or more

people or animals (including abstract concepts allegorically represented as people or animals), normally full-length, as opposed to a bust, and at least close to life-size, or larger. Its primary concern is representational. The concrete statues can be placed in the midst of a running stream or pool, the intersection of two roads, or the end of a road or the doorway of the house

8. Ornamental stones:Ornamental stone pillars or pieces of any abstract form if properly

placed, improve the look of any garden. The stones can be placed near pool or at the corner of the doorway or other suitable places.

9. Arches:

The arches are placed over walks or paths. These are usually made of angle iron and are about 2m high and 1m broad. The angle irons are fixed firmly into the ground in concrete or soil. The arches provide support to climbers and ramblers planted for shade.

10. Pergolas: A pergola, arbor or arbour is a garden feature forming a shaded

walkway, passageway or sitting area of vertical posts or pillars that usually support cross-beams and a sturdy open lattice, often upon which woody vines are trained. In short it is a series of arches forming a covered walk. It is constructed of wooden posts or brick pillars with thick timber beams put at the top and across the pillars.

11. Moon bridge: A moon bridge is a highly arched pedestrian bridge associated with

gardens . This type of bridge was originally designed to allow pedestrians to cross canals while allowing the passage of barges beneath. In formal garden design a moon bridge is placed so that it is reflected in still water. The high arch and its reflection form a circle, symbolizing the moon.

12. Pillars: Thick wooden posts about 2m high and covered with wire netting are useful as pillars for growing climbers on them. Usually 2-3 plants are grown around pillars so that it is completely clothed and concealed with the climbers. The pillars are best placed at the corners of a lawn or at the end of junction of a walk.

13. Lantern: The lantern should preferably be craved in stone and should be low and decorative. The column may be cylindrical or square. Many people fixed decorative.

14. Garden walls: wall of a brick, concrete, or stone along the periphery of the garden may be useful from safety or beauty point of view. A low brick (or concrete or stone) wall of 60-90 cm ht with some grills on it is desirable.

15. Fencing: these are utility item essentially needed for making the boundary and for protection and sometimes to separate one part of the garden from the other. Several materials such as wood, bamboo, wire, wire netting, chain link fences may be used for fencing.

Reference:

1. Salaria,Ajit Singh.,Salaria, Babita Singh., A2Z horticulture at a glance-III. Published by: Intelllects-nature to excel, New Delhi.

2. Internet source.