102 Horticulture Today
Copyright Goodheart-Willcox Co., Inc.
Studies have shown that interiorscapes provide an abundance of benefi ts to
an interior space:
• Live plants fi lter the air and produce oxygen.
• Plants are aesthetically pleasing.
• The presence of plants improves employee productivity and
discourages absenteeism.
Interiorscaping is a unique division of horticulture. Regardless of what
the weather is like, the interior temperature of a building is normally around
70°F (21°C). The plants used in interior designs are usually acclimated to
lower light levels and moderate temperatures. They are fed a limited amount
of fertilizer to maintain their size and shape. In larger installations, such as
shopping malls and large offi ce buildings, the plants are usually changed
seasonally and for certain holidays.
Interiorscapers, the people who design and install indoor landscapes, may
work with designers and architects to create displays that will work with the
architecture and interior design of a building. Interiorscapers usually contract
with businesses to maintain and/or replace plant materials throughout the
year. Interiorscapers have the unique opportunity of installing landscapes in a
controlled environment. They may also encounter unusual challenges, such as
installing and maintaining plants at different heights and in unusual spaces.
Turfgrass Industry
Turfgrass is a collection of grass plants that form a ground cover. Many
people commonly refer to turfgrass as sod. The turfgrass industry includes
the cultivation of lawn grasses for homes, commercial sites, athletic fi elds,
and golf courses. Sod farms produce turfgrass that can be grown, harvested,
and sold onsite or shipped to retailers. Sod farms may also be associated with
university or corporate research. Companies conduct trials and experiment
with varieties of turfgrass to improve insect and disease resistance as well as
tolerance to salinity, heat, foot traffi c, and drought conditions.
Home Lawns
Turfgrass has been cultivated for
centuries all over the world. Lawns have
been referenced in British history dating
to the 1500s. Aristocratic society coveted
a lush, green lawn. The same desire for
a beautiful lawn is still coveted today
in many societies. In the 1940s, after the
workweek was decreased to 40 hours,
Americans had more free time. Many
chose to use this free time to work on their
homes and lawns. When people began
having more time to establish a lawn,
horticultural companies began advertising
the therapeutic benefi ts of working on the
home lawn, Figure 4-10.
Did You Know?
There are more than 40
million acres of tended
lawns in the United
States. These lawns
sequester more than
13.2 million pounds of
carbon each year.
fotocraft/Shutterstock.com
Figure 4-10. The nursery and landscape industry provides
products and services that help create beautiful home
landscapes.
Corner Question
Where is the oldest
garden center in the
United States located?