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3.053.05The Elements The Elements

of of Planting DesignPlanting Design

Plant ApplicationsPlant Applications

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TreesTrees

When selecting a tree, consider these When selecting a tree, consider these uses: uses:

Shade Shade Enframement Enframement

ScreeningScreening

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ShadeShade The stronger-branched The stronger-branched

varieties may be planted varieties may be planted closer to an architectural closer to an architectural structure without fear of structure without fear of

breakage. breakage.

Fast-growing, weaker-Fast-growing, weaker-branched trees should branched trees should

never be planted too near never be planted too near a structure because of a structure because of

possible damage during possible damage during

severe ice or windstorms.severe ice or windstorms.

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EnframementEnframement Some varieties of trees may also provide enframement (the Some varieties of trees may also provide enframement (the

framing of a view) for the approach to a structure. framing of a view) for the approach to a structure.

These plants should be placed just off the front corners or to These plants should be placed just off the front corners or to the sides to give the lawn or architectural feature of a specific the sides to give the lawn or architectural feature of a specific

accent. accent.

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ScreeningScreening

Trees are useful for screening out undesirable views. Trees are useful for screening out undesirable views.

When used in natural-growing clumps, they become objects When used in natural-growing clumps, they become objects of beauty in color for form and draw attention away from of beauty in color for form and draw attention away from

undesirable objects. undesirable objects.

They may also provide protection from summer or winter They may also provide protection from summer or winter winds. winds.

Dense plantings of deciduous trees and perhaps some Dense plantings of deciduous trees and perhaps some evergreen varieties are also effective barriers to harsh evergreen varieties are also effective barriers to harsh

environmental elements. environmental elements.

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ShrubsShrubs  

Shrubs provide a different spatial scale. Shrubs provide a different spatial scale.

When selecting a shrub, consider these uses: When selecting a shrub, consider these uses:

Enframement Enframement

Screening Screening

AccentAccent

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EnframementEnframement

A shrub can provide the framing component A shrub can provide the framing component to a special view into or away from a to a special view into or away from a

landscape space. landscape space.

Place the shrub on either side of the intended Place the shrub on either side of the intended accent and frame it as if it were a picture.accent and frame it as if it were a picture.

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Screening Screening Large shrubs can screen undesirable views or provide a visual Large shrubs can screen undesirable views or provide a visual

corridor into a landscape space. corridor into a landscape space. The object of the “screen” is to obstruct a view from one area The object of the “screen” is to obstruct a view from one area

into another. into another. A small or medium shrub can also act as a screen if combined A small or medium shrub can also act as a screen if combined

with a landform or construction feature.with a landform or construction feature.

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Accent Accent Shrubs are very often used as accent features within a Shrubs are very often used as accent features within a

landscape space. landscape space. Too many accents, or one that is too strong, will confuse the Too many accents, or one that is too strong, will confuse the

viewer and create disharmony within the composition.viewer and create disharmony within the composition.

GroundcoversGroundcoversThe term groundcover refers primarily to plant materials under The term groundcover refers primarily to plant materials under eighteen inches in height, of spreading or creeping habit, that eighteen inches in height, of spreading or creeping habit, that

are used to hide unsightly areas of exposed ground.are used to hide unsightly areas of exposed ground.

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There are two functional classes of groundcovers. There are two functional classes of groundcovers.

The first is the lawn substitute, The first is the lawn substitute, used to cover a large expanse used to cover a large expanse

of ground and give the general appearance of a lawn.of ground and give the general appearance of a lawn.

The second class is the ornamental groundcover.The second class is the ornamental groundcover. These are These are used to decorate walks with borders, cover the ground where used to decorate walks with borders, cover the ground where

grass will not grow, and add beauty and accent to shrub grass will not grow, and add beauty and accent to shrub

masses.masses.

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A vine can be a groundcover growing on a A vine can be a groundcover growing on a mechanical structure. When combined with a trellis, mechanical structure. When combined with a trellis,

decorative fence, or wire frame, this plant element decorative fence, or wire frame, this plant element can be used where space is limited or as a copy, can be used where space is limited or as a copy,

baffle, screen or barrier.baffle, screen or barrier.

Vines climb in very specific patterns, and each Vines climb in very specific patterns, and each pattern should be understood before it is used in an pattern should be understood before it is used in an

environment.environment.

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Vines climb in the following ways:Vines climb in the following ways:

TwiningTwining - a vertical, twisting growth pattern as - a vertical, twisting growth pattern as plants grasp small posts or other plants. plants grasp small posts or other plants.

ClingingClinging - a habit of growth that allows the plant to - a habit of growth that allows the plant to adhere to flat surfaces.adhere to flat surfaces.

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Flower and Foliage ColorsFlower and Foliage Colors

Flowering materials add interest to any planting Flowering materials add interest to any planting design and care should be taken in their selection. design and care should be taken in their selection.

Use flowering plants together to extend the Use flowering plants together to extend the blooming season and to maintain the visual blooming season and to maintain the visual

appearance of the total compositionappearance of the total composition..

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Location Considerations Location Considerations

Proper planning of each location will allow many Proper planning of each location will allow many years of trouble-free maintenance. Here are some years of trouble-free maintenance. Here are some

locations that should be avoided whenever possible:locations that should be avoided whenever possible:

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Do not plant trees closer than four to five Do not plant trees closer than four to five feet form drives or walks. feet form drives or walks.

As they grow to maturity, the root system may As they grow to maturity, the root system may cause cracks and separations in the paving cause cracks and separations in the paving

elements.elements.

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Do not plant trees or large shrubs under Do not plant trees or large shrubs under overhead wires.overhead wires.

Utility companies have the right to prune the Utility companies have the right to prune the branches without the owner’s permission (in most branches without the owner’s permission (in most cases) and the results may not meet your design cases) and the results may not meet your design

objectives.objectives.

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Do not plant weak, fast-growing trees Do not plant weak, fast-growing trees closer than thirty to forty feet from a closer than thirty to forty feet from a

structure.structure.

These trees are easily damaged by winds and ice These trees are easily damaged by winds and ice storms, and the branches may fall and cause damage.storms, and the branches may fall and cause damage.

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Do not over plant. Do not over plant.

A few good specimens in a mass arrangement are A few good specimens in a mass arrangement are better than a large number of overcrowded, better than a large number of overcrowded,

single-species arrangements.single-species arrangements.

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Do not plant trees or large shrubs closer Do not plant trees or large shrubs closer than one to one and one-half times their than one to one and one-half times their

spread from sewer, water, or septic lines. spread from sewer, water, or septic lines.

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Do not plant trees or large shrubs too close Do not plant trees or large shrubs too close to windows or doors or directly in front of to windows or doors or directly in front of

a structure. a structure.

If you do, you may hide attractive architectural If you do, you may hide attractive architectural characteristics. characteristics.

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Planting Suggestions Planting Suggestions

Follow these general rules in order to reach the Follow these general rules in order to reach the

optimum growing conditions:optimum growing conditions:

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Select a location where a plant has enough Select a location where a plant has enough room to reach maturity. room to reach maturity.

Crowding plants may cause excessive competition Crowding plants may cause excessive competition

for light, soil nutrients, and growing space. for light, soil nutrients, and growing space.

When planting, use the measurements of the mature When planting, use the measurements of the mature

spread of plants to determine location.spread of plants to determine location.

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Choose the time of planting carefully.Choose the time of planting carefully.

Some deciduous trees are best planted while Some deciduous trees are best planted while dormant. dormant.

Most evergreen materials can be planted during any Most evergreen materials can be planted during any season as long as care is taken to maintain a soil ball season as long as care is taken to maintain a soil ball

around the root system.around the root system.

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Excavate a generous planting pit and add soil Excavate a generous planting pit and add soil amendments as required by the geographic area. amendments as required by the geographic area.

If the soil is too heavy or too sandy, it will benefit from a If the soil is too heavy or too sandy, it will benefit from a

healthy addition of organic matter such as peat or humus.healthy addition of organic matter such as peat or humus.

Plant as soon as the material is purchased from Plant as soon as the material is purchased from the nursery or collected from the field. the nursery or collected from the field.

Waiting too long may increase the “shock” a plant encounter Waiting too long may increase the “shock” a plant encounter

when being moved.when being moved.

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Trees more than two inches in caliper Trees more than two inches in caliper (diameter) should be supported with guy (diameter) should be supported with guy

wires. wires.

This allows the growing position to be corrected as This allows the growing position to be corrected as the soil around the root system settles.the soil around the root system settles.

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Environmental Environmental InsulationInsulation

Insulation is now recognized as Insulation is now recognized as the essential link in the chain of the essential link in the chain of

comprehensive energy comprehensive energy conservation, and the unique conservation, and the unique

character of the insulation character of the insulation becomes the most important becomes the most important

factor in the establishment of a factor in the establishment of a

desirable living environment.desirable living environment.

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Street PlantingsStreet Plantings   

Categories should be developed to relate to the Categories should be developed to relate to the degree of existing vegetation.degree of existing vegetation.

Unwooded streetUnwooded street:: vegetation exists on less than 30% of vegetation exists on less than 30% of the project area.the project area.

Semi-wooded street:Semi-wooded street: vegetation exists on more than vegetation exists on more than 60%, but less than 80%, of the project area.60%, but less than 80%, of the project area.

Wooded street:Wooded street: vegetation exists on more than 80% of vegetation exists on more than 80% of

the project area.the project area.

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From the inventory, functional From the inventory, functional categories (based on growth categories (based on growth habits) can then be applies to habits) can then be applies to

project needs:project needs:

Overhead zoneOverhead zone materials are the materials are the major covering components; they major covering components; they

have large, dense crowns of have large, dense crowns of foliage and are used to provide foliage and are used to provide greater visual impact into and greater visual impact into and

within the project area.within the project area. Intermediate zoneIntermediate zone materials are materials are eye-level plantings of screens eye-level plantings of screens

and baffles that are used to and baffles that are used to define the spaces on either side define the spaces on either side

of the street core.of the street core. Ground zoneGround zone materials are small materials are small shrubs and groundcovers used to shrubs and groundcovers used to accent the ground spaces and to accent the ground spaces and to identify and control pedestrian identify and control pedestrian areas within the development.areas within the development.

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Wildlife HabitatsWildlife Habitats   

Animals, like people, seek a landscaped environment Animals, like people, seek a landscaped environment for very special reasons. for very special reasons.

People often search for the solitude of space to rest from the People often search for the solitude of space to rest from the complications of the day. complications of the day.

Animals, on the other hand, need from the space the three Animals, on the other hand, need from the space the three essentials for their survival: essentials for their survival: food, shelter, and protection from food, shelter, and protection from

predatorspredators..