2025 Nursery and Landscape CDE

MULTIPLE CHOICE

1. Which of the following groups of landscape plants are all commonly propagated by division?
A. Rose, Boxwood, Azalea, Juniper
B. Zinnia, Marigold, Petunia, Salvia
C. Hosta, Ajuga, Daylily, Liriope
D. Ficus, Quercus, Acer, Ilex
ANS: C

2. Why is turning and mixing materials in a home garden compost pile important?
A. It helps prevent and discourage insect problems in the pile
B. It helps retain moisture inside the pile to maintain even heating
C. It introduces oxygen and helps ensure that aerobic processes continue
D. It cools the material and helps speed up the aerobic process
ANS: C

3. A homeowner complains that the junipers they planted last year are not growing well. The plants have grown slowly, the foliage is not dense, they have poor color and generally appear unhealthy. Which of the following environmental conditions is most likely contributing to the junipers' poor performance?
A. Little or no fertilizer applied at planting
B. Planting on a southern slope with excessive sunlight
C. Too much soil amendment added in the planting hole
D. Planting in dense shade, limiting photosynthesis
ANS: D

4. Which of the following is the most important advantage of adding composted organic materials to a landscape garden?
A. It increases the need for and utilization of chemical fertilizers
B. It creates a hard surface layer that increases water infiltration
C. It helps eliminate weed seeds and plant pathogens in the soil
D. It improves soil structure, moisture retention, and nutrient availability
ANS: D

5. Which of the following best describes cross-pollination?
A. Pollen transferred from the anther to the stigma of the same flower
B. The transfer of pollen from the stigma of one flower to the anther of another flower 
C. Pollen transferred from one plant’s anther to the stigma of another plant of the same species
D. The process by which plants produce seeds without the transfer of pollen
ANS: C

6. Which human activity is most likely to negatively impact pollinators in ecosystems?
A. Destruction of native flowering plants
B. Clear cutting of forest lands
C. Loss of topsoil from wind erosion
D. Widespread use of pesticides in agriculture
ANS: D

7. If the blooms on a hydrangea are pink, which of the following is most likely true about the soil?
A. The soil is acidic (low pH)
B. The soil has a high nitrogen content
C. The soil is neutral or alkaline (higher pH)
D. The soil is deficient in phosphorus
ANS: C

8. A landscaper plants four types of annuals in the landscape to provide fall color. After the plants become established and begin blooming, unexpected freezing temperatures and snowfall affects the area. After a couple of days the weather returns to mild, more normal temperatures. Which of the following plants is most likely to survive and continue blooming?
A. Impatiens
B. Begonias
C. Pansies
D. Coleus
ANS: C

9. A customer’s home is nestled in a heavily wooded area with large mature trees on every side of the house, providing cooling shade for the entire landscape during the summer. Which of these plant materials would be least appropriate for the landscape of this home?
A. Bermudagrass
B. Lenten rose
C. Hosta
D. Ajuga
ANS: A 

10. What is the primary purpose of hardening off seedlings before moving them from the greenhouse propagation area to the outdoor nursery growing area?
A. To increase water absorption  
B. To speed up flowering  
C. To increase resistance to pests 
D. To acclimate them 
ANS: D

11. Which of the following soil types is most likely to be described as fine in texture?
A. Sandy loam
B. Clay loam
C. Loamy sand
D. Coarse sand
ANS: B

12. Why is product knowledge in the garden center industry critical in retail sales?
A. It reduces the need for customer interaction as most questions can be answered at the register
B. It builds credibility and helps match products to customer needs 
C. It minimizes inventory management   
D. It maximizes inventory management   
ANS: B

13. A customer in the garden center is indecisive between two products. What should the salesperson do?  
A. Tell the customer which product they should choose to save time for both the customer and the salesperson
B. Criticize one product to simplify the customer’s decision  
C. Add in a third item, similar to the first two items for consideration
D. Compare the pros and cons of each item based on the customer’s needs 
ANS: D

14. What is the general effect on plants when high-nitrogen fertilizer is applied in excess?
A. Excessive vegetative growth and reduced flowering
B. Improved flowering and more vegetative growth
C. Drought tolerance due to deeper root penetration
D. Pest resistance due to pest avoidance of vegetative growth
ANS: A

15. How is stratification carried out to prepare seeds for germination in nursery crop production?
A. Seeds are exposed to a cold, moist environment for a specific period of time to break seed dormancy
B. Seeds are soaked for a period of time, based on the hardness of the seed coat, to break seed dormancy
C. The seeds are physically broken to stimulate germination and break dormancy
D. Seeds are exposed to an extended dry period, followed by soaking under pressure
ANS: A

16. A nurseryman recommended the homeowner plant three ‘Blue Princess’ meserveae hollies and one “Blue Prince” meserveae holly. What is the most likely reason for this combination?
A. Meserveae hollies are dioecious
B. Blue Prince holly has better color and is often used as a focal point
C. Meserveae hollies are monoecious
D. The Blue Prince holly will provide contrast while maintaining simplicity
ANS: A

17. Which of the following groups all contain recognized principles of landscape design?
A. Balance, Unity, Coordination
B. Proportion, Rhythm, Unity
C. Focalization, Scale, Alignment
D. Simplicity, Variety, Cycle
ANS: B

18. Which of these is the best definition of composting?
A. The process of refined growing methods using inorganic plant material
B. Mixing soil with animal manure, fertilizer and other inorganic matter 
C. Breaking down organic matter into a nutrient-rich soil amendment
D. Recycling inorganic and organic matter into reusable plant nutrients
ANS: C

19. Which group consists entirely of beneficial insects? 
A. Wasps, lacewings, and praying mantis
B. Praying mantis, spiders, and snails
C. Increment borers, grubs and leafhoppers
D. Spiders, ticks, and borers
ANS: A

20. Which scenario would create the least favorable conditions for plant disease development, helping to prevent disease outbreaks in nursery crops?
A. High humidity, warm temperatures, and dense plant spacing 
B. Moderate temperatures, low humidity, and good sanitation practices
C. Fluctuating temperatures, intermittent irrigation, and good sanitation practices
D. Cool temperatures, dry soils, and high humidity
ANS: B

21. Which group of plant diseases or disorders listed below are all caused by a fungus?
A. Powdery Mildew, Apple Scab, Fire Blight
B. Anthracnose, Canker, Crown Gall
C. Fire Blight, Botrytis, Root Rot
D. Cedar Apple-Rust, Black Spot, Anthracnose
ANS: D

22. On push lawnmowers, a safety feature called a blade control or operator presence lever is held against the handle during operation. What happens when the lever is released?
A. It shuts off the engine and stops the blade 
B. It engages the self-propel drive to move the mower forward
C. It raises the cutting deck to its highest position and stops the blade immediately
D. It activates the mower’s choke and sparkplug for easier re-starting once the operator returns
ANS: A

23. Which of the following practices is most likely to promote bushier, more compact growth in ornamental shrubs?
A. Heavy fertilization with high-nitrogen fertilizer to stimulate rapid shoot elongation
B. Selective heading back of stems to encourage lateral bud development
C. Frequent deep irrigation to promote extensive root growth and taller top growth
D. Close plant spacing to maintain natural apical dominance and growth
ANS: B

24. Which of the following nutrients is most commonly applied to prevent or correct interveinal chlorosis in landscape plants?
A. Potassium (K) – supplied as potassium sulfate or muriate of potash
B. Iron (Fe) – supplied as chelates or soil drenches
C. Phosphorus (P) – supplied as superphosphate or bone meal
D. Nitrogen (N) – supplied as urea or ammonium nitrate
ANS: B

25. The term LD₅₀ is sometimes used in the description of pesticides and pesticide research. Which of the following best defines LD₅₀ used in this context?
A. A scientific technique used to track insect populations
B. A process for determining the most effective way to apply pesticides for 50% control of a pest population
C. A system for describing weather patterns that affect pesticide use
D. A measure of the amount of pesticide required to kill 50% of a test population
ANS: D

26. In landscape construction, weep holes are often incorporated into retaining walls. What is their primary function?
A. To anchor the wall more securely to its foundation and prevent shifting
B. To allow water to drain from behind the wall, reducing hydrostatic pressure and soil saturation
C. To increase airflow behind the wall to prevent mold growth on the soil surface
D. To stabilize the topsoil by promoting root growth near the base of the wall
ANS: B

27. In residential landscape design, the recommended minimum width for a front walkway should allow for comfortable, side-by-side pedestrian movement and accessibility. Which of the following dimensions best meets this standard?
A. 18 to 24 inches
B. 24 to 30 inches 
C. 36 to 48 inches
D. 60 to 72 inches  
ANS: C

28. Why is knowing a plant’s hardiness zone especially important when selecting perennial landscape plants?
A. It predicts how quickly the plant will grow and flower
B. It indicates whether the plant will survive winter temperatures in a given location
C. It determines how often fertilizer applications are needed
D. It identifies potential soil nutrient deficiencies in the area
ANS: B

29. Which of these plant hormones is most directly involved in stimulating root formation in stem cuttings used for propagation?
A. Gibberellin
B. Cytokinin
C. Abscisic acid
D. Auxin
ANS: D

30. Spring-flowering shrubs such as lilac, forsythia, and azalea should be pruned at what time of year to maximize flower production the following year?
A. Late winter, before new growth begins
B. Immediately after flowering is complete in spring
C. Mid-summer, during peak vegetative growth
D. Early fall, before dormancy begins
ANS: B