Botanical names vs. common names

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smiln32 Oklahoma City, OK(Zone 7a) Aug 23, 2003

What is most used most frequently on Dave's Garden... botanical names or common names? Which is better?

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MOLLYBEE Villa Rica, GA(Zone 7a) Aug 23, 2003

I think that just depends on the person. While some of the botanical names are fairly easy to remember, others aren't.
I personally have a problem pronouncing some of the names, so therefore I use the common names as much as possible.

I find that most everyone does use the botanical names more than the common names, and I find myself having to search the database or the web just so I can see what the flower looks like.
But in doing this, I have learned alot about my plants and flowers.

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Terry Murfreesboro, TN(Zone 7a) Aug 23, 2003

Botanical names are always a hot-button issue (whether you're a die-hard common name user, or a dyed-in-the-wool botanical name gardener.)

Which is more frequent on our forums? That depends on who you ask - most non-U.S. members use botanical names, while our U.S. members are fairly split on which they prefer to use.

Which is better? Botanical, hands down. It's the ONLY way you can have confidence that the plant you're discussing is the same one the other gardener is thinking of.

Botanary is a resource designed for all DG members to use and enjoy. Every day's newsletter contains a few new terms that we can read, pronounce, and learn what they mean. It's hooked into the Plants Database to help us all become more conversant in botanical latin, and it's searchable/browsable on its own, in case you want to look around a bit.

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rutholive Tonasket, WA(Zone 5a) Aug 24, 2003

Also it is good to know the botanical name if you wnat to refer to the plant in books. My A to Z does not list common names of plants. My biggest problem??? is my memory, I know a plant perfectly well, but when i want to look it up for some reason I can't remember what it is!!!!Not funny, I'm not laughing. Donna

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