Site analysis and Landscape Design

Catherine Wissner

Horticulturist

University of Wyoming,

Cooperative Extension Service

Laramie County,

Cheyenne, Wyoming

True or False?

• If you want afternoon summer shade plant a tree on the north side of your house?

Know your Weather• Albany County Weather.

– Average summer high temp 79 degrees.– Average summer low temp 46 degrees.

– Average winter high temp 32 degrees.– Average winter low temp 8 degrees.

– Annual Precipitation 11 inches.– 50% chance of a Frost as late as June 13, as

early as Sept 2.

– http://www.climate-charts.com/USA-Stations/WY/WY485435.php

Step one

• Get a map of the

site or measure the

area to be Landscaped.

• Locate North.

Site Analysis

• 1. Microclimates, good and bad spots.

• 2. Where is North..• 3. Seasonal Sun angles• 4. What Scale will you be using?

– For example: 1inch = 10 feet.

Why the scale of your plan is important

Site Analysis - Wind•

Site Analysis

Site Analysis

Site Analysis

Site Analysis – Topography • 0-3% flat to gently sloping, possible

surface drainage problems, soil depth is greater here.

• 3-8% gently sloping to rolling terrain soil concentration in low areas.

• 8-15% hilly often rocky terrain, site modification cost increase. Soil depth is very limited.

Site Analysis- Sun Angles

Sun Angles 41st Parallel

Site Analysis• Identify the:

– Hot. -Sunny

– Cold. -Shady

– Dry.

– Wet.

Areas within the landscape, the micro-climates.

Existing Plants• Old Plantings, Trees & Shrubs.

• Size of the plants.

• Health of the plants.

• Stage of development.

• Will new plants it fit in?

• If there isn’t any plants on the site, Why?

New Plant Locations• What will be the mature plant size?

• Shade and sunny locations.

• Will they adapt?

Site Analysis• Call Before You Dig.

• 811

• Wyoming One Call

1-800-348-1030

It’s the Law.

What are the Soils?

• What are your soils?

• Get a soil test.

• Has the soil been disturbed by construction?

• Is the soil compacted?

Wildlife

• What is the existing wildlife?

• Is the existing wildlife a problem?

• Do you want to attract wildlife?

Site Analysis

•North arrow•Sun angles•Micro climates•Wind direction•Views•Topography•What is the goal?

Develop a Design Theme• Such as:

– Rose Garden.– Victorian Garden.– Shade Garden.– Wood land Garden.– All Gardens Should be Water Wise.

Water Wise Garden• 1-Plan and Design.

• 2-Create practical turf areas.

• 3-Improve the soil.

• 4-Use Mulches.

• 5-Irrigate efficiently.

• 6-Maintain the Landscape.

Design Principals

• Unity: consistent style.

• Texture: surface quality of plants & objects.

• Balance: symmetrical vs. Asymmetrical.

• Transition: sequential order.

• Proportion of Scale: size of plants & objects.

• Focalization: curved lines, features.

Transition

Step Two

• Schematic Design First.– Get your General ideas down on paper.

• Different areas around the property have different functions. – like play areas, bar-b-queue areas,

private secluded areas. – Storage area for tools.– Areas for pond, greenhouse, gazebo.– Plant types are the last thing you do.

Define your landscape areas

• Define a clear separation between:

– Turf* Do not do turf corner to corner.

– Shrubs*– Trees.– Perennial Beds.– Play.– Vegetable Gardens.– Hard-scape Areas*.

• Why, for ease of mowing/maintenance.

Step Three

• Draw in your Hardscape areas– Patio.– Walkways.– Decks.– Bar-B-Que area.– Retaining Walls.– Pond.– Garden Structures.– Fences.

Step Four• Draw in the areas for:

– Shrubs.– Perennial Gardens.– Vegetable Garden.– Trees.– Specific Plants are the last thing you do.

• Make Notations on your plans on the heights for the above plants.

Color Theory

•There are no bad color combinations in Nature.

•What colors do you like?

However: • In the Garden Color should:

– Be calming– Have a sequence– Repeat itself

Step Five•Time to add Color

–Seasonal Color for shrubs, trees, perennials.•Winter texture, Spring, Summer and Fall color.

–Write the colors in on your design.

Step Six• THE VERY LAST THING

• ADD Specific plants.

Have Fun gardening