PLANTING DESIGN interest.

Each leaf of a coarse-textured plant

Planting design is the art of composing plants to create breaks up the outline, giving the plant a looser
a design. This is usually an aspect of garden design, which form.
includes paving design, landform design, water features and the ● Color- in plant material and hardscapes adds interest
design of vertical and horizontal structures. and variety to the landscape and is often used as a focal
point.
Choice of Arrangement ● Line- are transitional linear places where one space or
● To frame View - the views in a garden can be landscape becomes part of another.
enhanced in a similar way by creating screens to block ○ Plants- are those you plant to provide a well-
undesirable views and opening avenues to direct the defined boarder along various features in your
eye to focus on a scene’s most striking components. landscape.
● To direct traffic - Planting for pedestrian and ● Form- is the three-dimensional shape of a plant or a
automobile control is an important function that you can plant mass.
fulfill with plants that guide, direct, slow and cool both ○ Trees - are distinguished by their large size,
people and their automobiles. their trunks, and their canopy.
● To create outdoor space- planting to maximize human ○ Shrubs- are typically medium sized and are
enjoyment while minimizing the costs and negative characterized by a mass of foliage covering
environmental impacts. the branches.
● To accent- used to draw attention to a particular feature ○ Groundcover- is the smallest in size and
or features in the landscape such as an entryway, varies greatly in form, but the distinguishing
stairs, water, seating, statuary or even other plants. characteristic is the way the plants are used—
They should contrast with the surrounding plants or to cover the ground.
other elements to create emphasis or focal points. ● Balance- about equality, and balancing certain
● To hide - used to keep out of sight features that is features.
unnecessary to see and not often used. ○ Symmetrical Balance is where all elements
of the design are equally divided.
Effective planting design ○ Asymmetrical Balance being unbalanced,
● Texture refers to how coarse or fine the overall surface abstract, or free form while still creating unity
and individual leaves of the plant feel or look (perceived and balance through the repetition of some
visual texture). Like form, a variety of textures provides elements.
interest and contrast in the landscape. Texture can be
found in the foliage, flowers, blades, and bark of the NATIVE PLANTS
plant, as well as in the plant's overall branching pattern. are plants indigenous to a given area in geologic time.
The size and shape of the leaves most often determines This includes plants that have developed, occur naturally, or
the perceived texture of the plant. existed for many years in an area.
○ Fine - usually have small leaves and/or
blossoms. They have a light and airy feel and Exotic plants
create an illusion of filling space. They are These species are not native in the area they are
relaxed and undemanding, and tend to recede INTRODUCED.
into the background.
○ Medium- plants have foliage and branches Bio invasive plant
that are neither overly large nor small and They outgrow native species and can be a PEST.
delicate; leaves with simple shapes and
smooth edges. branches are not densely
spaced nor widely spaced, and the overall
form is typically rounded or mounding.
○ Coarse- include thick twigs and branches;
leaves and twigs with spines or thorns; large
leaves; leaves with very irregular edges and/or
bold, deep veins; variegated colors; and bold
or irregular forms with their high contrast,
coarse-textured plants attract the eye and
tend to hold it because the light and dark
contrasts of the shadows provide more