A glossary of landscape gardening & garden spa terms

We work in consultation with the customer throughout the process of any work we carry out, and always make sure we explain what we intend to do in a clear and comprehensible way. However, you may come across some terms in this site that you are not familiar with. That is why we have created this glossary to help make things clearer.

Aggregate - the density with which soil particles are clumped together.

Algaecide - a chemical used to kill algae in swimming pools and spas.

Aspect - the direction in which a garden faces.

Blower - a device which circulates air through the water of a pool or spa.

Chlorine - a naturally occurring poisonous gas derived from salt, used to disinfect pool water.

Decking - raised wooden flooring used as a feature of a garden.

Dichroic - a type of mirror which splits the light from a bulb into different colours and allows heat to dissipate from the bulb, increasing its lifespan.

Drought efficient - A garden designed for, and planted with, plants that are able to withstand long periods without summer irrigation.

Electrolysis - the method of producing a chemical reaction by passing electric current through a liquid.

Filter system - the system used to remove dirt and other matter from the water of a swimming pool or spa, and release clean, filtered water back into the pool.

Garden design - the process of planning out the architecture of a garden prior to landscaping.

Halogen - a type of artificial light which is brighter and more energy-efficient than an ordinary light bulb.

Heater - the system used to heat the water of a spa or pool.

Hot tub - a small pre-fabricated outdoor pool, normally made from fibreglass.

Landscape gardening / landscaping - the planning and building of a garden with an emphasis on improving its aesthetic look and feel.

Luminaire - word used to describe an entire light fitting and its components.

Manifold - a pipe with several outlets which distribute water to a number of pipes in a pool or spa.

Planting plan - the designs and drawings of how the garden will look after landscaping is complete, made by the landscaper, usually in consultation with the customer.

Pool chemicals - any chemicals, such as chlorine, used to purify the water of a swimming pool or spa.

Pump - the device which circulates water through a hot tub, spa or swimming pool.

Rill - a shallow drain used to channel water to or from a water feature.

Salt cell - a unit within a salt water chlorinator, comprised of a series of plates with opposing electrical charges. Electricity is passed between the plates, causing a chemical reaction which releases chlorine from the salt.

Salt water chlorinator - a device which uses natural salt instead of harmful chemicals to clean the water of a swimming pool or spa.

Shock treatment - the process of adding a large dose of chlorine or another chemical to a pool in order to destroy organic waste, algae and bacteria.

Skimmer - an inlet in the wall of a spa or pool that passes the water into the filter system.

Solar lighting - garden lighting which gathers power from sunlight during the day. Solar lights normally come on automatically as it gets dark, although some have a manual override switch.

Spa - A concrete hot pool built into the garden, which will last longer and is more adaptable than a fibreglass hot tub.

Sub-tropical plants - In gardenening terms, plants that are tender and would be cut back or killed by a hard frost. They will normally take sort periods of below freezing temperatures (-1 to -2 degrees) and will often need winter protection in the UK, especially away from the South coast.

Succulents - plants which have thick, waxy leaves which allow them to retain water well.

Water feature - any piece of garden architecture which uses running water to create an effect, such as a fountain or waterfall.