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R2112

UNDERSTANDING THE CHOICE, ESTABLISHMENT & MAINTENANCE OF GARDEN PLANTS & LAWNS

Level 2

Tuesday 7 February 2017

11:20 – 12:10

Written Examination

Candidate Number: ………………………………………………………………… Candidate Name: …………………………………………………………………… Centre Number/Name: ……………………………………………………………..

Ofqual Unit Code T/601/0263 Please turn over/…..

IMPORTANT – Please read carefully before commencing:

i) The duration of this paper is 50 minutes;

ii) ALL questions should be attempted;

iii) EACH question carries 10 marks;

iv) 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) Use black or blue ink only. Pencil can be used for drawing purposes only;

vii) Where plant names are required, they should include genus, species and where appropriate, cultivar;

viii) 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.

Including Examiners comments

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ANSWER ALL QUESTIONS

MARKS Q1 a) b

b)

Name SIX distinct plants suitable for sowing in a decorative hardy annual border.

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Describe TWO tasks carried out when thinning hardy annuals in a decorative border.

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MARKS Q2 a)

b)

Name FOUR distinct herbaceous perennial plants suitable for growing in an

herbaceous border.

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State SIX distinct tasks carried out on an herbaceous border during the dormant

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MARKS Q3 a)

b)

State TWO differences between planting a bare-root tree and a container grown tree

by completing the table below.

Differences Bare-root tree Container grown tree

Timing

Staking

Describe THREE maintenance tasks carried out during the establishment of a newly

planted tree.

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MARKS Q4 a)

b)

c)

Describe a suitable method of pruning a shrub grown for its winter stem interest.

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Name ONE shrub grown for its winter stem interest.

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Describe TWO methods of weed control in an established shrub border.

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MARKS Q5 a)

b)

c)

Describe the characteristics of a container suitable for aquatic plants.

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List FOUR characteristics of a growing medium/compost suitable for aquatic plants.

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Name TWO distinct deep water aquatic plants.

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MARKS Q6 a)

b)

Describe FOUR maintenance tasks carried out on a newly sown lawn from sowing to

establishment.

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State TWO grass species found in a high quality lawn.

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Total Mark

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©These questions are the property of the Royal Horticultural Society.

They must not be reproduced or sold.

The Royal Horticultural Society, Wisley, Woking, Surrey GU23 6QB.

Charity Registration Number: 222879/SC038262

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R2112

UNDERSTANDING THE CHOICE, ESTABLISHMENT & MAINTENANCE OF GARDEN PLANTS & LAWNS

Level 2

Tuesday 7 February 2017

Candidates Registered 470 Total Candidates Passed 258 67.54% Candidates Entered 382 81.28% Passed with Commendation 81 21.20% Candidates Absent/Withdrawn 79 16.81% Passed 177 46.34% Candidates Deferred 9 1.91% Failed 124 32.46%

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.

2 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.

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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.

6 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.

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MARKS Q1 a) b

b)

Name SIX distinct plants suitable for sowing in a decorative hardy annual border.

Describe TWO tasks carried out when thinning hardy annuals in a decorative border.

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Q1a) The majority of candidates were able to name a range of distinct plants suitable for a

hardy annual border and were awarded full marks. Acceptable answers included:

Calendula officinalis, Nigella damascena, Tropaeolum majus, Helianthus annuus,

Lathyrus odoratus, Centaurea cyanus, Cosmos bipinnatus.

Candidates who named half hardy annuals, biennials or perennials could not be

awarded any marks.

Q1b) Most candidates described two tasks that are carried out when thinning hardy

annuals and gained full marks. Suitable answers included:

Watering lightly, using a fine sprinkler or a watering can with a fine rose along the row to help re-settle disturbed plants after thinning, weeding or gapping up.

Weeding using a hoe or by hand to remove annual/ephemeral weeds ensuring that the roots of the hardy annuals are not disturbed. Seedlings of hardy annuals can look like weeds.

Gapping up is carried out when areas have failed or if seeds are station sown. Small groups of seedlings are replanted approximately 20cm apart.

Checks are made for any signs of pest and disease damage, e.g. botrytis and slug and snail damage. Affected seedlings are removed by hand and controls can be put in place to avoid further damage e.g. the use of metaldehyde for slugs.

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MARKS Q2 a)

b)

Name FOUR distinct herbaceous perennial plants suitable for growing in an

herbaceous border.

State SIX distinct tasks carried out on an herbaceous border during the dormant

period.

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Q2a) A range of distinct herbaceous perennial plants were named by the best candidates

who gained full marks. These included: Echinacea purpurea, Alchemilla mollis,

Astrantia major, Anemone x hybrida, Helenium autumnale, Aster novi-belgii,

Rudbeckia fulgida

Q2b) Candidates who stated distinct maintenance tasks carried out on an herbaceous

border specifically in the dormant period were awarded full marks. Acceptable

answers included:

Cutting back and removing old foliage and flower stems.

Removing dead plants and replacing them.

Weeding by hand pulling or hoeing.

Mulching with garden compost before growth commences in the spring.

Lifting and dividing overcrowded plants with a fork and replanting.

Removing/replacing/repairing stakes, canes and supports.

Reshaping the border/tidying the edge with a half moon cutter if it is positioned within a lawn.

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MARKS Q3 a)

b)

State TWO differences between planting a bare-root tree and a container grown tree

by completing the table below.

Differences Bare-root tree Container grown tree

Timing

Staking

Describe THREE maintenance tasks carried out during the establishment of a newly

planted tree.

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Q3a) The differences between the timing of planting and staking a bare-root and a

container grown tree were clearly stated by the majority of candidates who gained

maximum marks.

Timing

Bare-root trees are planted in the dormant season between November and February,

whereas container grown trees are planted anytime in the year as long as the

weather and soil conditions are suitable.

Staking

Bare-root trees are staked using a single upright stake placed in the planting hole

between the roots at the time of planting. They can also be staked using double

stakes, inserted upright with a cross bar/ties or an angled stake. Container grown

trees are staked using an angled stake or double stakes, inserted upright with a

cross bar/ties to avoid damage to the rootball.

Q3b) The majority of candidates were able to describe a range of maintenance tasks

carried out during the establishment of a newly planted tree and were awarded full

marks.

Mulch using garden compost or shredded bark to a depth of 75-100mm for a radius of 1m around the base of the tree but not touching the trunk.

Watering during dry conditions/summer period through the pipe installed at the time of planting. Alternatively soak the soil to a depth of 25mm.

Weeding can be carried out by hand or by using a hoe. Herbicides e.g. glyphosate can be used as a spot treatment in a gel form or a tree spat can be placed around the base of the tree.

Marks were also awarded to candidates who described maintaining the tree stakes

and ties or the use of rabbit guards.

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MARKS Q4 a)

b)

c)

Describe a suitable method of pruning a shrub grown for its winter stem interest.

Name ONE shrub grown for its winter stem interest.

Describe TWO methods of weed control in an established shrub border.

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Q4a) The best answers which gained full marks were from candidates who described a

specific method of pruning a shrub grown for its winter stem interest. Candidates

included the following details in their descriptions. Pruning is carried out in early

spring, e.g. March using clean sharp secateurs or loppers. The shrub is stooled by

pruning all stems to approximately 5cm above a bud at an angle or horizontally

above a pair of buds.

Q4b) Candidates named a range of shrubs grown for winter stem interest and gained

maximum marks. Examples included: Cornus alba ‘Sibirica’, Cornus sanguinea

‘Midwinter Fire’, Rubus cockburnianus, Salix alba.

Q4c) Most candidates described mulching, hand removal or the use of herbicides as

suitable methods of weed control in an established shrub border. Descriptions which

were awarded full marks included:

Mulching the border using farm yard manure, garden compost or composted bark to a depth of 75-100mm in the spring just before or as new growth appears.

Hand weeding or with the use of a hoe. Seedlings of annual weeds can be left on the border to dry but larger weeds must be removed.

A translocated herbicide e.g. Glyphosate can be used to control perennial weeds or used as a spot treatment in a gel form. A contact herbicide, e.g. Diquat can be used to control annual weeds.

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MARKS Q5 a)

b)

c)

Describe the characteristics of a container suitable for aquatic plants.

List FOUR characteristics of a growing medium/compost suitable for aquatic plants. Name TWO distinct deep water aquatic plants.

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Q5a) Full marks were gained by candidates who described the characteristics of a

container for aquatic plants. Candidates answered this question either as the type of

container used to pot a single plant prior to being placed in a pond or as the type of

container that could be used to display plants on a patio etc.

Descriptions included details of the size of the container linked to the plants to be

grown; the use of a plastic mesh basket to allow water movement or the need for the

container to be watertight; the durability of the container; the material that the

container was made from and whether visual appearance was important.

Q5b) Candidates who were able to list suitable characteristics of a growing medium for

aquatic plants were awarded full marks. Acceptable answers included:

Stable structure

Suitable pH

Ability to hold some nutrients

Weed free

Pest and disease free

Heavy

Loam or clay

Q5c) Most candidates were able to name deep water aquatic plants and gained full marks.

Suitable answers included: Nymphaea alba, Nuphar lutea, Aponogeton distachyos,

Nymphoides peltata.

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MARKS Q6 a) b)

Describe FOUR maintenance tasks carried out on a newly sown lawn from

sowing to establishment.

State TWO grass species found in a high quality lawn. Q6a) A range of maintenance tasks carried out on a newly sown lawn were

described well by the majority of candidates who gained maximum

marks. Suitable answers included:

Irrigate in hot weather to provide a thorough soaking without disturbing the seedlings. This can be carried out in the evening with the use of a sprinkler.

Roll the lawn with a garden roller or a cylinder mower to push in the stones and to induce tillering.

Oversow patches where germination has failed with the same grass species mix at a rate of 30g per m².

Control weeds either by hand or with the use of a selective herbicide e.g.2,4-D.

Initial mowing carried out when grass is 100mm high. Reduce by a third by setting the blades high on the mower.

Q6b) The majority of candidates stated appropriate grass species that are

found in a high quality lawn and were awarded full marks. These

included: Festuca rubra subsp. commutata, Agrostis capillaris or

Agrostis tenuis.

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