R2111 Exam questions. Garden Features, Plants & Planning Flashcards
Name four distinct evergreen shrubs suitable for four distinct named site conditions.
- Moist well drained in part or full shade. eg Mahonia aquifolium
- Well drained soil in full sun. eg Salvia rosmarinus
- Acidic soil in partial shade. eg. Camellia japonica
- Full sun, full or partial shade. eg Fatsia japonica
Describe one decorative merit for one named summer flowering deciduous shrub.
- eg. Fuchsia* ‘Hawks head’ . Small hanging pendant flowers in white.
eg. Rosa ‘Blue Diamond’ . Hybrid tea rose of unusual lavender/grey colour.
eg. Buddleja davidii. Long cone shaped dense sprays of small flowers from white to purple.
State the meaning of the following terms in relation to garden planning.
i) asymmetry
ii) symmetry
a. i) Asymmetry is where the features in a garden are not the same i.e. they are not a mirror image of each other but have equal mass and weight.
ii) Symmetry is where the ground pattern and features are laid out either side of a central axis as an identical mirror image. eg geometrical shape plant, urns etc
Describe two ways in which the design principle of balance can be achieved in an asymmetric garden design.
- Lawns and patio are laid out in an offset pattern across the garden. The shape of these could be similar therefore balancing with each other and with the planting of a complimentary shape in the surrounding borders.
- Balancing a large mass at some distance from the viewer with several items of smaller mass nearby. eg large tree at the end of the garden balanced with a group of smaller shrubs in the foreground.
other eg. Features features of similar height and visual weight can be arranged to balance each other on opposite sides of a garden. eg tall obelisk with a climbing rose can be balanced with a shrub with an upright habit on either side of a path.
a. State five factors relating to trees and plants which should be recorded during a survey of a garden
Identification of the plants using botanical names
Location of the plants in the garden in relation to other features
Overall size and/or maturity of plants.
Health of the plants, P&D, shading, overcrowding.
Unsafe plants, raised roots, low branches
Identification of weed and/or other invasive plants.
Factors relating to soil condition, exposure could not be awarded any marks.
Describe the stages involved in plotting a garden feature when carrying out a triangulation survey.
Appropriate equipment, two tapes, notebook, metal pegs, string line
Identify and label two fixed points eg. A + B could be part of previous measured points or along a base line.
Accurately record the points on the pad
Measure from point A to feature, labelled as C ensuring tape is taut.
Measure from point B to feature ‘C’ again accurately with taut tape.
Describe microclimates created by the following garden features.
i) sloping lawn with wall at the bottom
ii) entrance to the garden patio between two buildings
iii) south facing border at the base of a wall
i) A frost pocket is caused when cold air flows down a slope and is trapped by the solid wall at the bottom. Resulting in cold damp conditions.
ii) A wind tunnel can be created between two buildings. Wind is funnelled between the walls creating turbulence which results in damage to plants
iii) A suntrap will result from the south aspect. Wall absorbs heat during the day and release it at night. The site will be warm for extended periods and create dry soil, and a potential rain shadow.
Describe two distinct factors, other than microclimates, that need to be recorded on a site appraisal.
- Soil pH can be assessed to identify how acidic or alkaline a soil is. this will effect the range of plants that can be grown.
- Visual assessment can be made of fine views, trees or other features that need to be retained. Usightly views or eyesores can also be included, pylons, neighbours to be hidden.
other eg. Soil texture can be assessed, sandy loam, silty loam or clay loam. Again this will effect plant choices, growing season, drainage.
a. Name two materials which can be used to construct an unbound loose surface path.
b. State two limitations and two benefits of materials in a.
a. Gravel, bark chippings. (other eg slate, flint, wood chip.)
b. Gravel +’ve. Security when used near a house as noisy to walk on. Durable and long life and easy to lay for curved path. -‘ve. May get kicked of the path onto lawns. Not suitable for wheelchair or reduced mobility user.
Bark chippings +’ve. Sustainable product if sourced from local sustainably managed forests. Lightweight and easy to move and is suited to woodland style. -‘ve. Will biodegrade into the soil and need replenishing. Can be moved by birds and animals, creating thin areas.
Describe one distinct way in for each of the following materials could be used to achieve a cohesive design.
Gravel
Bark chippings
Cohesion can be achieved by linking garden elements though a consistent use of style, materials, texture or colour.
Gravel could be the same colour as the stone used for garden walls, furniture and planting. This would link different areas of the garden together. Locally sourced so may also blend in with natural environment.
Bark chippings link well with a woodland garden as it is the use of rustic materials to reflect the rustic style of the garden. Using materials similar to the bark of the trees, mulch on borders will further aid cohesion.
a. Name two distinct sustainable garden features which can attract wildlife to a garden.
b. Describe two distinct benefits of attracting wildlife to a garden.
c. Describe two named herbaceous perennials which can support wildlife, giving one decorative merit for each.
a. wildlife pond, wild flower meadow. ( or log piles, dry stone wall)
b. i) Some wildlife are natural predators of garden pest. ladybird larvae eat aphids, reducing the damage caused and reduce the need for chemicals. ii) Attracting pollinating insects into a garden can ensure that garden fruiting, veg and flowering plants are pollinated. Increasing yields and production of fruit and seed.
c. i) Verbena bonariensis - Clusters of small purple flowers on upright stems. ii) Echinops retro - Rounded blue flower heads on branched stems with prickly dark green leaves.
a. Describe two distinct water features suitable for including in a domestic garden.
b. Describe one hazard and one risk associated with one of the water features named in a.
a. i) Wildlife pond - an irregular shape made from puddled clay or butyl liner with large irregular stone around the edge. With deferent levels within for a wide range of marginal, submerged and floating plants. With a gentle slop for wildlife to escape. ii) Pebble fountain - created with a pump to circulate water from a small reservoir underneath a wire mesh and the pebbles on top. Water comes up through a pipe and spurts a jet of water over the pebbles.
b. i) Pond H = Open/deep water visually concealed R = Falling in and drowning ii) Fountain H = Water splashing onto path R = People slipping on water, causing injury.
a. List four hard landscape features characteristic of an English landscape garden.
b. Describe the characteristics of formal and informal gardens with one distinct example for each of the following i) Soft landscaping ii) Horizontal hard landscaping iii) Garden boundaries
a. Ha-Ha, Grotto, Greek/Roman temple, Chinese bridge, Pagoda
b. i) Soft/formal = Neat rows of symmetrical finely clipped hedge. Soft/informal = Herbaceous border packed with drifts of plants in a variety of colour. ii) Hard/formal = Square cut York stone/granite laid with straight edged path. Hard/informal = Winding path made from bark or stone chippings and naturalistic planting. iii) Boundaries/formal = Brick wall of uniform smooth brick with coping stone. Boundaries/informal = rustic weaved fence of Corylus avellana with climbing plants.
Describe five bulbs, corms or tuberous plants from distinct genera that can be used for seasonal interest with their decorative merits.
- Galanthus nivalis - Delicate white nodding flowers in winter.
- Tulipa ‘Queen of the night’ - Dark purple flower in spring.
- Crocosmia ‘Lucifer’ - Sprays of red flowers in summer.
- Dahlia ‘Bishop of Llandaff’ - Red semi double flower with dark foliage in summer.
- Narcissus ‘Tete a tete’ - Miniature daffodil, 2-3 yellow trumpet flower in spring.
a. Describe two factors which may limit work during construction of a garden.
b. State two examples of sustainable practices that can be carries out during garden construction.
a. i) Financial constraints - Client may not have sufficient funds to complete the work all at once, especially with an increase of shipping or materials. may be completed in stages. ii) Restricted access - A narrow entrance, over hanging tree, through the house. May not be possible to use large machines, and materials in small sizes. Other eg Weather, Services not previously identified.
b. Do not waste mains water, ensure taps are off when not in use. Recycling bricks from demolished walls to build new walls. Use excavated soil to fill hollows to avoid transporting off site.
