Introduction

Plant is mans friend in survival- giving him food and fuel, shelter and medicine from the days beyond the dawn of civilization. It is again mans
need for survival that has put the plants in danger. The ever increasing need of the growing human family for more and more land for dwelling and
for food, compounded with the fast growing industrialization coupled with the nuclear adventure, is taking a heavy toll of the plant life. The net
result is the global menace of environmental pollution. And so to survive, man has to turn to his friend- the plant. It is high time that we learn the
lesson, before it is too late.
Apart from the much- needed a forestation, there is an imperative need for growing as many plants as possible, whether economic or ornamental, in
home gardens, in parks and public gardens and in wastelands, river banks and sea shores to restore the environments natural balance to save the
mankind from the impending catastrophe.
A home or a neighborhood with well-planned greenery not only enhances the aesthetic beauty of the place but contributes considerably to our
environment. But to grow and to nurse the plant, we must have some understanding of the nature and characteristics of the plants, their growth
habits and environment, soil and nutrient requirements.
It is often observed that under favorable conditions, plants flourish into their characteristics shapes and sizes. The distinctive shape and spread of the
crown of a particular tree gives it a conspicuous look that enables us to differentiate it from other trees.
The normal shape of a plant and its growth habit undergo change when planted closely- mainly due to the competition for sunlight, the plant then
grows tall instead of spreading branches. Flowering also is adversely affected in these plants. Trees and shrubs that produce flowers on trunks and
thick branches flower well also in semi-shade. Temperature, light, soil moisture and atmospheric humidity have a profound influence on the time of
season of flowering.

Moist soil and high humidity promote emergence of leaves in deciduous perennials at time of flowering, but in dry areas leaves appear on these trees
much later than flowering. Vegetative growth is much less in high summer and low winter in temperatures and dry atmosphere.
The influence of climatic conditions on growth and flowering is best experienced in Kalimpong in the eastern Himalayas, situated at an altitude of
1300m-1500m, and many other plants that usually grow in diverse climate. Mild day temperature, cooler nights (without frost), less rains and bright
sunshine almost throughout the year are the major climatic advantages of this place.

Sunshine is not a limiting factor in tropical region. But in case of house plants, through most of them thrive well in shade, semi-shade or under
partial sun, their foliage attains bright color if exposed to bright diffused light or morning sun for few hours. Their tolerance to sunlight depends on
the intensity together with the relative humidity and temperature. In dry and hot summer, exposure to direct sun with high light intensity damages
foliage, while in mild winter (low temperature range of 12 15 degree C ), these plants tolerate sunlight for a considerable longer period. Plants in
pots are most sensible to high light intensity and adverse environment than those in the ground.
Another aspect considered very important for achieving success in growing ornamental plants is the process and well drained substrate whether in
ground or pot. This is more important in tropical countries where peat is not available for using in pot compost. In clay soil or ill drained compost,
thorough soaking requires more time, resulting in temporary stagnation, making the soil remain wet for a long time which impairs aeration, and both
root and shoot growth are badly affected.

All the knowledge and experience are important as well as essential for growing plants indoors or outdoors, it is a fascinating study and a pleasant
experience too. Attempts have been made to provide useful and practical information for growing a wide range of tropical garden plants successfully
along with their morphological characters, growth habit and color illustration.
Bangladesh situated in the eastern part of the south Asia, lies between 20 degree 34 minutes and 26 degrees and 38 minutes north latitudes, has a
tropical to sub tropical monsoon climate with a mean annual rainfall verifying from 1500 mm in the north west to more than 5500 mm in the north
east of the country. The precipitation is mostly concentrated between the later parts of May to August. The average minimum temperature during
winter is 10 degree C and in the summer maximum ranges from 32-35 degree C. Relative humidity during the monsoon being more than 80% .
Bangladesh with an area of 147570 square kilometer has a total land area of 14.3 million hectare (H) of which 2.4 million H is forest. Forest areas
are distributed in the eastern and south eastern hills, central terraces and in the south western mangroves. The village forests compost of wood lots
and other multi purpose fast growing trees, bamboos, shrubs etc are estimated to be 0.27 million H.
Trees affect landscape in many ways. Roots are usually found in greatest profusion at the drip line of the leaf canopy, where the water dripping from
the tree, is most plentiful. It is not difficult, then top see that tempering with the water supply at the drip line- either by compacting the soil and
preventing absorption of surface water, as might be done by the passage of heavy construction equipment or by trenching and thus charring the
water off, as might be done in installing new utility lines can affect a tree.
The plants that possess therapeutic properties or exert beneficial pharmacological effects on the human body are generally designed as medicinal
plants. Although these are no apparent morphological characteristics in the medicinal plants that make distinct from other plants growing with them,
yet they possess some special qualities on virtues that make them medicinal importance.

Medicinal plants are used in traditional medicine. Plants, plant parts and plant products of all description, particularly those with medicinal
properties, are invariably used as principal components of various traditional medicines. In the traditional system at the present time almost every
plant and herb growing in the country has ascribed to its some medicinal virtues and is used as either principal agent on as necessary associates in
medicinal preparation to increase the potency of the principal ingredients.
Moreover in many cases using only their local or native names with incomplete description often refers to medicinal plants. Therefore proper
identification, codification and awareness regarding the plants are essential.
Plants are one of the major elements of landscape planning and design, we cannot avoid using them for various purpose or effect but if we use plants
of multiple purpose values then it will be more helpful to the mankind.