Softscapes: Choosing Plants Flashcards
What is the most important question to ask when selecting plants?
“Can this plant survive & thrive in the existing environment?”
What five qualities should you consider when determining if a plant is the “right plant for the right place?”
- Soil pH
- Soil drainage
- Daily Sunlight
- Space for canopy and roots
- The purpose of the plant in the landscape.
What seven maintenance considerations do you need to consider when selecting plants?
- Pest or disease issues
- Pruning requirements
- Fertilization or irrigation needs
- Pesticide applications
- Clean-up duration in fall and spring
- Mess from fruit, leaves, etc.
- Safety
When selecting plants, what key factors should you consider about its development and eventual maturity?
- The expected size of the mature plant.
- Growth habits of the plant.
- The plant’s seasonality.
When selecting a young plant, what considerations should you make about a plant’s size at maturity?
- Think about how big it is likely to get in all dimensions, rather than how it looks now.
- Shrubs and herbs are easier to prune than trees, and so can fill in gaps early in the landscape’s life.
- Consider the growth RATE of the plant.
When selecting a young plant, what considerations should you make about the plant’s growth habits?
- For woody or herbaceous plants, the main consideration is whether the plant clumps or spreads.
- A plant with a “clumping” habit means that the plant has a central “clump” of mass, with multiple root, shoot, or branch growing points. Stems emerge from the central area and don’t quickly overrun or out-compete neighbors.
- A plant with a “spreading” habit has multiple crowns and produces many different stems in different directions. It can spread through rhizomatous root systems, or arcing or prostrate stems that rest into the ground. They are strong competitors, and some are very aggressive.
When selecting a young plant, what considerations should you make about the plant’s seasonality?
- Some plants are pretty all year round, while others are highlights in specific seasons.
- Visualize appearances across all seasons, to balance mass and forms.
What are the three roles plants play in landscape design?
Specimen, massing, and accent
What are “specimen” plants?
- Typically a tree or shrub with distinct, visually attractive features.
- Often used as a focal point in the landscape.
- Designers tend to use plants that are interesting in multiple seasons to fill this role.
What are “massing” plants?
- Plants planted in large numbers to fill large amounts of space to make a visual impact.
- Spreading or clumping habits are both okay.
- Typically woody or herbaceous.
- Massing plants typically should do well in spring through fall, and have few pests or diseases.
What are “accent” plants?
- Accent plants pull attention through the landscape, usually toward a focal point.
- Can be a single plant or grouped.
- They break up the monotony of mass planting.
What are five common types of plantings?
- Beds
- Borders
- Foundation Plantings
- Ground cover
- Edging
What is an island bed?
A plant bed in the middle of a lawn. It is viewed from all sides, so taller plants should be toward the center while shorter plants radiate outwards.
What is a border planting?
A plant bed with a vertical backdrop on at least one side, such as a wall, hedge, or fence. Typically viewed from a single side, so taller plants should be toward the back, while shorter plants are toward the front.
What is a foundation planting?
A foundation planting is a type of border planting where the backdrop is a building foundation. It may be as simple as a line of shrubs but can be more complex and expansive.
A foundation planting frames a building and anchors it into the landscape. It can welcome visitors and guide them toward focal points. It also complements architecture.
