SYNDICATE 5

PLANTING PROCESS
• ANTHONY MACHARIA
• ALEX MACHARIA
• VERONA KIBE
• SHEILA MUTHONI
• DAVID MUCHINA
• EDWIN OSUMA
• JULIE GURA
• TANYA BUYU
• MARK MWANGI
USE OF PLANT MATERIAL
 INTRODUCTION.

• PLANT MATERIAL FULFIL A NUMBER OF ROLES IN THE LANDSCAPE OTHER THAN DECORATION
AND ORNAMENTATION.
• AMONG THE NUMEROUS USES IN THE LANDSCAPE, PLANT MATERIALS MAY CREATE SPACE OR
OUTDOOR ROOMS, BLOCK UNSIGHTLY VIEWS, STABILIZE STEEP SLOPES, DIRECT MOVEMENT
THROUGH THE LANDSCAPE AND MODIFY EXPOSURE TO SUN AND WIND.
• PLANTS CAN EITHER BE USED ARCHITECTURALLY, ENVIRONMENTAL OR/AND AESTHETICALLY.
 ARCHITECTURAL USE OF PLANTS

1. CREATION OF SPACE.
• A SENSE OF SPACE DEPENDS ON THE ACTUAL AND IMPLIED ENCLOSURE CREATED BY THE GROUND
PLANE, VERTICAL PLANE AND OVERHEAD PLANE.
• ON THE GROUND PLANE, GROUND COVER OR LOW SHRUBS MAY IMPLY SPATIAL DEFINITION THROUGH
HEIGHT VARIATIONS AND MATERIAL.THEY DO NOT HOWEVER PHYSICALLY DEFINE SPACE BUT DO
SUGGEST A WALL AT A LOWER LEVEL.
GROUND PLANE.
• IN THE VERTICAL PLANE, PLANTS CAN INFLUENCE THE PERCEPTION OF SPACE THROUGH,

TREE TRUNKS ACT AS VERTICAL

COLUMNS IN AN EXTERIOR
SETTING.

THE CLOSER THE TREE TRUNKS

ARE FROM EACH OTHER THE, THE
STRONGER THE FEELING OF
ENCLOSURE.
• OVERHEAD PLANE SPACE CAN
BE DEFINED BY THE FOLIAGE
MASS AND BRANCHES IN THE
CANOPY OF TREES; WHICH
CREATE CEILINGS OVER AN
OUTDOOR SPACE, LIMITING
THE VIEW TO THE SKY AND
AFFECTING THE VERTICAL
SCALE OF THE SPACE.
• PLANT MATERIAL CAN BE USED TO
ESTABLISH INTER-LINKED SEQUENCES
OF SPACES. THEY MAY ACT AS
WALLS AND DOORS THAT DIRECT
PEOPLE INTO AND THROUGH A
SPACE.
• PLANT MATERIALS MAY BE INTEGRATED WITH LANDFORM EITHER TO ACCENTUATE OR TO
NEGATE THE SPATIAL STRUCTURE ESTABLISHED BY LANDFORM ON THE BASE LPLANE.
• PLANT MATERIAL MAY ALSO BE USED TO MODIFY THE SPACES CREATED BY BUILDINGS. HERE,
THE MAIN FUNCTION OF PLANTS IS TO SUBDIVIDE LARGER SPACES DELINEATED BY BUILDINGS
INTO SMALLER SPACES.WITHOUT THIS, THE URBAN ENVIRONMENT WOUD FEEL HARSH,
INHUMAN AND TOO OPEN.
2. LINKAGE
• PLANT MATERIALS CAN ACT
AS LINKAGE BY VISUALLY
CONNECTING SEPARATE
ELEMENTS IN THE
LANDSCAPE. THIS PROVIDES
SOME SORT OF ENCLOSURE
THAN THAT GIVEN ONLYBY
THE SEPARATE ELEMENTS.
3. SCREENING AND PRIVACY
• PLANT MATERIALS CAN BE USED TO CONCEAL UNATTRACTIVE OBJECTS OR SCENES IN THE
ENVIRONMENTS. PLANT MATERIALS AS VERTICAL BARRIERS CAN CONTROL VIEWS SO THAT THE
DESIRABLE POINTS IN THE LANDSCAPE ARE OBSERVED WHILE UGLY POINTS ARE BLOCKED.
AND THEREFORE WHEN SCREENING IS ACHIEVED, PRIVACY IS ALSO ACHIEVED.
• PRIVACY CONTROL IS OFTEN A DESIRABLE DESIGN OBJECTIVE FOR AN INTIMATE SITTING AREA
OR THE TERRACE OF A RESIDENCE.
Aesthetic uses
COMPLEMENTORS

UNIFIERS

EMPHASIZERS

ACKNOWLEDGERS

SOFTENERS

VIEW ENFRAMEMENT
COMPLEMENTORS

These are plants used to carry the language of

the building into the landscape ,hence tying the
two together.

Used to bring a sense of unity between the

building and the landscape by repeating the
forms of the building on the landscape and
therefore expanding the lines of the building
onto the landscape.
Unifiers

Used to tie the different elements of the

environment together. The vegetation stays constant
while the rest of the environment changes.`
 Emphasizers
Used to accentuate a certain element in
the outdoor or indoor environment.
Achieved through use of a distinct :
1.Size
2.Colour
3.Texture
4.Shape/form

Used at:
1.The entrance to a site/building
2.An intersection
3.A focal point e.g. a fountain
 Acknowledgers

Plant material used to point out or to ‘acknowledge’ the importance and location
of a certain element or space in the environment.

Used to make the space obvious and easily

recognized.
Utilizes;
1.Size
2.Colour
3.Texture
4.Shape/form
 Softeners

Plants material used to soften the harshness or

rigidity of architectural form.
Establishes a balance between the hard and
soft , rigid and dynamic.
 View enframement
Plants may be used to focus our attention to one view
while blocking out any other undesired views using
their trunks , branches and foliage.

They act as blinders and create a

frame around the view of the
desired object.
 2.Environmental uses

Climate control-Modifying the micro-climate for human comfort by affecting

humidity, air temperature and air movement.

Shading and pre-cooling of air before it enters

the space.

Soil erosion control

Leaves break the impact of raindrops on the ground

Rough barks and twigs reduce speed of water flow

Roots trap and retain soil

Soft landscaping such as grass, gravel and sand allow infiltration

of water into the soil thereby reducing water runoff. The result of
this is reduced soil erosion.
CHARACTERISTICS OF PLANTS
PRESENTED BY SHEILA MUTHONI.
 PLANT COLOUR

o VIEWED AS AN EMOTIONAL CHARACTERISTIC BECAUSE IT AFFECTS

THE MOOD AND FEELING OF A SPACE.
o BRIGHT COLORS-LIGHT, CHEERFUL ATMOSPHERE.
o DARK COLOURS-SOMBRE FEELING.
o COLOR IN PLANTS SHOULD BE ORGANIZED ACCORDING TO THE
OTHER PLANT CHARACTERISTICS.
• PLANT COLOR SHOULD BE USED TO REINFORCE
THE FUNCTION OF PLANT SIZE AND FORM IN A
DESIGN.
• A COLOR TAKES MORE MEANING IF ITS
OPPOSED TO ANOTHER.
• THE ORGANIZATION OF DIFFERENT SHADES OF
GREEN CAN PROVIDE EMPHASIS, ESTABLISH
UNITY REPETITION, OR VISUALLY LINK
TOGETHER VARIOUS PORTIONS OF THE
DESIGN.
• DARK GREENS CAN PROVIDE A SENSE OF SOLIDITY AND WEIGHT TO BOTH A
COMPOSITION AND A RELATED SPACE(ANCHOR POSTS OF THE DESIGN)
• THEY CAN GIVE A QUIET, PEACEFUL, AND-IF OVERUSED DISMAL FEELING TO AN
OUTDOOR SPACE.
• DARK HUES TEND TO MOVE TOWARDS THE VIEWER HENCE SHORTEN THE
DISTANCE BETWEEN THE VIEWER AND OBJECT. ALSO THEY MAKE SPACES SEEM
SMALLER.
• MEDIUM TONE GREENS SHOULD ACT AS A TRANSITION BETWEEN DARK
AND LIGHT GREENS
• LIGHT GREEN FOLIAGE PROVIDES AIR QUALITY TO A SPACE AND MOVE
AWAY FROM THE VIEWER.
• DARK GREENS ARE USED AS THE BASE MATERIAL WHILE GREENS ARE USED
OVER HEAD AS AN EXPRESSION OF BUOYANCY.
• VARYING GREENS SHOULD NOT FORM TOO MANY
SMALL INDIVIDUAL SPOTS PROPORTIONAL TO THE
OVERALL SCALE OF THE COMPOSITION OR A
DISORGANIZED APPEARANCE WILL RESULT.
• CAUTION ALSO NEEDS TO BE USED IN PLACING
UNUSUAL FOLIAGE COLORS SUCH AS BRONZE,
PURPLE, OR VARIEGATED COLORS, AS THESE TEND
TO BE QUITE NOTICEABLE BECAUSE OF THEIR
UNIQUENESS.

• UNCOMMON GREEN FOLIAGE SHOULD BE RESERVED

FOR A FEW SPECIAL LOCATIONS WITHIN A DESIGN.
LIKEWISE, BRIGHT FLOWER COLOR SHOULD ALSO BE
MASSED AND PLACED IN ONLY CERTAIN AREAS.
 FUNCTIONS OF PLANT COLOUR IN A
DESIGN
• INFLUENCE THE UNITY AND VARIETY OF A DESIGN.
• PLANT COLOR SHOULD BE COORDINATED WITH ALL THE OTHER VISUAL
PLANT CHARACTERISTICS IN CARRYING OUT THE INTENDED OBJECTIVES
OF THE DESIGN.
• CREATES A FEEL AND MOOD OF AN OUTDOOR SPACE
FOLIAGE TYPE

• REFERS TO THE FORM AND PERMANENCE OF

THE FOLIAGE.
TYPES OF FOLIAGE TYPES
1. DECIDUOUS
 DECIDUOUS LEAVES ARE GENERALLY THIN, FLAT,
AND FOUND IN NUMEROUS SHAPES AND SIZES.
 COMMON EXAMPLES INCLUDE COTONEASTERS
VIBURNUMS, OAKS AND MAPLES.
 FUNCTIONS OF DECIDIOUS PLANTS
• IT EMPHASIZES THE SEASONS
• ARE A DYNAMIC EFFECT HENCE MAKES CLIMATIC CHANGE
MORE OBVIOUS.
• CREATE INTEREST AND FASCINATION.
• DEFINE SPACES IN ALL PLANES
• SERVE AS ACCENTS AND BACKGROUNDS.
• ACT AS THE COMMON FOLIAGE TYPE AGAINST WHICH
EVERGREEN AND BROAD LEAVED EVERGREEN PLANTS CAN
BE CONTRASTED.
• ARE THE UTILITY PLANTS IN DESIGN
• ABILITY TO ALLOW SUNLIGHT TO INTERACT WITH THEIR
FOLIAGE TO CREATE A GLOWING EFFECT.
2. CONIFEROUS EVERGREEN
• ITS FOLIAGE IS RELATIVELY NON-CHANGING AND
PERMANENTLY GREEN.
• THEY LEND A FEELING OF PERMANENCE IN THE
DESIGN.
• ARE EFFECTIVE IN BLOCKING VIEWS AND AIR
CIRCULATION AND PROVIDE PRIVACY DUE TO THERE
DENSITY
• LOCATED AROUND A BUILDING TO PROTECT IT FROM
CHILLING WINDS.
CONIFEROUS EVERGREEN AND DECIDUOUS SHOULD
BE USED TOGETHER BECAUSE THEY COMPLEMENT
EACH OTHER.
 BROAD-LEAVED EVERGREENS

• RESEMBLE DECIDUOUS VEGETATION IN LEAVES

APPEARANCE BUT RETAIN THEIR FOLIAGE
THROUGHOUT THE YEAR.
• EXAMPLES INCLUDE: RHODODENDRON ,AZALEA
MOUNTAIN LAUREL, ANDROMEDA AND
Mountain azalea
LEUCOTHOE
 CHARACTERISTICS OF BROAD-LEAVED EVERGREEN

• LEND A SPARKLING, LUMINESCENT QUALITY TO AN

OPEN OUTDOOR SPACE.
• MAKE A COMPOSITION FEEL LIGHT AND AIRY IN A
SUNNY LOCATION.
• SHOULD BE PLACED IN A DESIGN BASED PRIMARILY
ON THEIR FOLIAGE WITH FLOWERS CONSIDERED
AN ADDITIONAL BENEFIT.
• SHOWY FLOWERS ARE USED AS A FOCAL POINT
IN THE DESIGN.
DISADVANTAGES OF BROAD-LEAVED EVERGREEN

• REQUIRE ACIDIC SOILS IN THE LANDSCAPE HENCE LIMITS THERE USE IN THE
LANDSCAPE.
• CANNOT TOLERATE INTENSE HOT OR COLD TEMP, EXPOSURE LEADS TO
HIGH TRANSPIRATION WHEN WATER IS NOT AVAILABLE TO THE ROOTS.

FOLIAGE TYPE INFLUENCES SEASONAL INTEREST, VISIBILITY, AND UNITY OF

A DESIGN.
PLANT TEXTURE

• VISUAL ROUGHNESS AND SMOOTHNESS OF AN

INDIVIDUAL PLANT OR GROUP OF PLANTS.
• TEXTURE CHANGES AS IN THE CASE OF
DECIDUOUS PLANTS.
• TEXTURE AFFECTS A NUMBER OF FACTORS IN PLANTING COMPOSITIONS.
o COMPOSITIONAL UNITY AND VARIETY
o PERCEPTION OF DISTANCE
o COLOR TONE
o VISUAL INTEREST
o MOOD OF DESIGN
 COARSE TEXTURED PLANTS

PLANT TEXTURES ARE DEFINED AS COARSE,

MEDIUM AND FINE.
COARSE TEXTURED PLANTS INCLUDE:
PLANE TREE ,HORSE CHESTNUT, AUSTRIAN
PINE.
ARE MAINLY USED IN INFORMAL SETTINGS
BECAUSE THEY ARE DIFFICULT TO USE IN
SETTINGS THAT REQUIRE PRECISE SHAPES.
CHARACTERISTICS OF COARSE TEXTURED MATERIALS
• HIGHLY VISIBLE, BOLD AND AGGRESSIVE HENCE MAY BE USED AS A FOCAL
POINT TO ATTRACT OR GIVE A FEELING OF STRENGTH
• SHOULD BE USED IN MODERATION SO AS NOT TO OVERPOWER THE
COMPOSITION.
• CREATES A SENSATION OF MOVING TOWARDS HENCE DISTANCE BETWEEN
VIEWER AND OBJECT SEEMS SHORTER THAN IT REALLY IS.
• HAVE MORE VARIATION OF LIGHT AND SHADE.
• APPEAR MORE OPEN, LOOSER, AND LESS DISTINCT IN OUTLINE THAN DO
FINER-TEXTURED PLANTS.
MEDIUM TEXTURED PLANTS
• PLANT IS LESS TRANSPARENT AND STRONGER
IN SILHOUETTE AS COMPARED TO COARSE
TEXTURED PLANTS.
• SHOULD MAKE UP THE LARGEST
PROPORTION OF TEXTURE IN A PLANTING
COMPOSITION.
• SHOULD BE USED AS A TRANSITIONAL
ELEMENT.
 FINE TEXTURED PLANTS
• ARE PRODUCED BY MANY SMALL LEAVES AND TINY LEAVES.
• EXAMPLES: HONEY LOCUST ,JAPANESE MAPLE ,WHITE PINE.
 CHARACTERISTICS OF FINE TEXTURED PLANTS
•SOFT AND DELICATE IN APPEARANCE AND CONSEQUENTLY LESS
OBVIOUS IN THE LANDSCAPE.
•DISTANCE BETWEEN VIEWER AND OBJECTS INCREASE.
•ACT AS A NEUTRAL BACKGROUND TO MORE AGGRESSIVE
TEXTURES TO ADD VISUAL VARIETY.
•ARE USEFUL IN SMALL TIGHT AREAS WHERE THE SPACE NEEDS TO
FEEL EXPANDED.
 VISUAL PLANT CHARACTERISTICS

Architectural uses concern themselves primarily with the structural aspects of plants such as creation of
outdoor spaces

To be successful planting design should be at least non-descript if not attractive in conjunction with
accomplishing function.

Aesthetic uses deal primarily with visual qualities of plants such as;
 Size
 Form
 Color
 Texture
 Foliage

Each characteristic has its own subcategories , qualities and uses in the outdoor environment.
SIZE
Size directly affects the scale of a space ,its compositional aspect and the overall framework of a landscape.

The different categories of size include;

• Large and intermediate trees

• Small trees and ornamentals
• Tall shrubs
• Intermediate shrubs
• Low shrubs
• Ground cover
Large and intermediate trees

These are trees that grow to a minimum height

of 9m to 12m.
Examples are ; sugar maple
white oak
white ash
red gum
They dominate space because of their height and
mass

Give a composition its overall three dimensional

form by establishing the basic structure and
skeleton.

Large and intermediate trees are much

appreciated as the scale becomes larger. Control
should be exercised when used on small sites
otherwise they may overwhelm the scale of the
composition.
 Small trees and ornamentals

 Trees that grow to a maximum height of 4.5m to

6m.
 Examples of small trees include; European olive
mesquite
cornelian cherry
fringe tree
 Ornamental trees; crab apple
flowering dogwood
Canadian redbud
 Small trees define space in in both the vertical and
overhead planes
 Appropriately used in small scale spaces where the
area is limited or the designer desires to create a
comfortably scaled special quality.

 Ornamentals may serve as visual and compositional

accents resulting from a size contrast, distinct form
,flowers and fruit.
 Ornamentals create visual interest hence used as
focal points to attention
 Tall shrubs

 Trees which grow to a maximum height

of 3 to 4.5m.

 Tall shrubs are distinguished from small

trees by the lack of a canopy. The foliage
mass extends to or almost the ground.

 They are used like walls to furnish spatial

encloses in the vertical plane and are open
above hence create a view upwards.

 Used to create strong corridor like spaces

 Create soft green barriers as opposed to

hard wall surfaces when used for screening
and privacy control.

 They act as a neutral background for

other special objects such as sculptures
and lower shrubs .
Intermediate shrubs
These are shrubs that grow to a
height of 1 to 2m

The foliage mass extends to the

ground or slightly above the ground

It may act as a visual transition

between tall shrubs and small trees
 Low shrubs
Grow to a height of 1m to 0.3m.

Examples include; Japanese flowering quince

prickly pear cactus
cranberry cotoneaster

Articulate space by implication than by physical enclosure

They define spaces without inhibiting views into and from the space .E.g. along a walkway [to restrict pedestrians]
without affecting the line of vision.

Low shrubs are used compositionally to connect unrelated elements visually

Used to contrast taller components or bring the scale down.
Ground cover

Low spreading plant material; the vegetative rug or floor material of an outdoor space
Grows to a maximum height of between 15cm to 30cm
Examples are ; English ivy
pachysandra
common ice plant
Used in design to imply spatial edges
Define a non-walking surface as opposed to lawns or pavements.
 PLANT FORM
Plant form is the overall shape and habit of growth of individual plants; its silhouetted outline.

Establishes the structure of a plant composition while influencing unity and variety acting as accents and
backgrounds.

Basic types of plant forms include; Fastigiated

Columnar
Spreading/horizontal
Round/globular
Pyramidal/conical
Weeping
Picturesque
 Fastigiated
Upright, narrow and tapers to a point at its top

Examples are ; Lombardy poplar

American arbor –vitae
Italian cypress

Emphasizes on the vertical hence leads the eye

skywards

Gives a sense of verticality and height to both

plant mass and the space they enclose.

When contrasted against lower or more rounded

forms ,they act as accents and exclamation points

Fastigiated forms have the ability to attract

attention hence should be placed judicially in
small quantities.
 Columnar
o Upright narrow but with a rounded
top

o Emphasizes on the vertical hence

leads the eye skywards

o Gives a sense of verticality and

height to both plant mass and the
space they enclose.

o When contrasted against lower

forms, they act as accents and
exclamation points

o Columnar forms have the ability to

attract attention hence should be
placed judicially in small quantities.
 Spreading /horizontal

 Plant form that is at least as broad as it is tall with a generally horizontal habit.

 Examples are ; saucer magnolia

Washington hawthorn
dwarf
Japanese yew
 Used in design to give a composition a feeling of breadth and extent

 Spreading forms carry the eye along in a horizontal fashion hence used
in design to connect other forms visually.

 Used for contrast with the vertical fastigiate

and works at harmony with flat landforms.
 Round/globular

o Plant forms with a distinct rounded or spherical

shape

o Most numerous types of plant forms used

o Examples; European beach

Japanese maple
silver linden
Cornelian cherry dogwood
Indian laurel

o Globular forms are non-directional and neutral

in their ability to lead the eye hence can easily
be used to give a design unity by repetition.

o May also be situated to harmonize with and

echo other curvilinear forms in the landscape.
 Pyramidal/conical
 Cone-like in appearance and gradually tapers from
its base to an observable point.

 Examples are ; spruce

sweet gum
katsura tree

 They are very sharp and distinct in their outline

and are therefore used as visual accents in contrast
to globular forms

 Used to echo pyramidal building forms or peaked

mountain landforms.

 Harmoniously used in formal architectonic

designs where stiff geometric forms are
appropriate.
 Weeping
o Has predominantly pendulous or downward
arching branches.

o Examples; weeping willow

weeping beech
cranberry cotoneaster

o Often found in and

associated with low parts of the ground
[weeping willow is found along the edges of
water bodies]

o They lead the eye towards the ground.

o Could be used at the edge of a curvilinear

body of water to reflect the undulating and
to symbolize the fluid quality of the water
itself.
 Picturesque
 Uniquely structural in shape .May be
irregular ,gnarled, windblown or
contorted to an unusual shape.

 It is often a mature plant that has

adapted over a long period of time to
the environmental conditions. The
form becomes a result of unique
natural forces.

 Best used as specimens

 Located at a prominent point in

design

 Not more than one should be placed

in one area of sight to avoid a busy or
chaotic sight.
PLANTING DESIGN PROCESS
 ANALYSIS

FUNCTIONAL/
BUBBLE DIAGRAM
CONCEPT PLAN
ELEVATION MASSING DIAGRAMS
SPECIMEN PLANTS
MASTER PLAN
TYPES OF PLANTS
GRASSES
Tuft grass

regularly used on lawn and backyards

calls for a great amount of care, including
proper irrigation, fertilization, mowing
and dethatching
 Ornamental grass
 often grow in clumps and are used to add height and
texture behind shorter plants, such as annual flowers
 grows in a variety of colors and may reach several feet
in height
 provide a graceful, delicate appearance in the garden.
 introduce exciting textures to the garden, along with
movement and even sound as they rustle in the breeze
 type of grass typically adapts to even poor conditions
PRAIRIE-DROPSEED
FOUNTAIN-GRASS
TOFFEE-TWIST-SEDGE
MEXICAN-FEATHER-GRASS
 GROUND COVERS

 Provide dense, low-profile, carpet-like coverage in

the landscape
 Gardeners place ground cover plants beneath trees
and in beds to create a widespread, low-maintenance
blanket over large landscape spaces
 serve well in borders and for added texture with
their variety of foliage shapes, sizes and colors.
LAMB'S EARS
JUNIPER SPECIES
BUSH WEED
SEDUM SPECIES
HENWITHCHICKS
MONDO GRASS
LAMIUM
 PERENNIAL PLANTS
A perennial plant is a plant that lives for more than two years.

Advantages Of Perennial Plants Over Annual And Biennials

 Perennial plants remain in the ground year after year.
 They often have deep root systems which hold soil to prevent erosion,
and out-compete weeds reducing the need for herbicides.
 Once established, many perennials need minimal upkeep in the form of
watering and fertilizing, since their roots are more far-ranging than
annual plants’ roots.
Switchgrass .These roots are more than 3 meters long
Well-behaved perennials that won't flop over or sprawl work best in more formal
gardens.

iris hosta sedum'

Perennials that multiply and spread, but are easily kept in bounds, are good
choices for island beds.

daylily veronica Shasta daisy

 Types Of Perennial Plants
1. Evergreen perennials - has leaves throughout the year
e.g. Banana
2. Monocarpic perennials - those that flower, set seeds and then die.
e.g.. Agave
3.Deciduous perennials - Those that lose their leaves seasonally.
e.g. Golden rod
4. Woody perennials produce wood as its structural tissue e.g.
Sycamore Maple
5. Herbaceous perennials - Have no persistent woody stem
above ground e.g. Wheat grass
 COLOUR MATTERS
Examples of popular perennial plants and various
moods created by various colour combinations;
These gentle colors set a mood of tranquility.

foxglove pansy lupine

These bright colors energize a garden.

crocosmia lily peony

Colors that are opposite on the color wheel are described as
complementary. They add vitality to a garden

violet clematis ... ... and yellow coreopsis red lilies with green foliage
 A harmonious color scheme (colors that are next to each other
on the color wheel) unifies a garden, while allowing enough
range of color that it doesn’t become monotonous.

orange poppy ... ... and yellow rudbeckia blue and violet delphinium
 VINES
• A vine is any plant with a growth habit of
trailing or climbing
• Climbers can be trained over walls, fences,
etc.
There are many different climbing methods such as:
1.Twining their stems around a support (e.g. morning glories)
2. Adventitious, clinging roots
e.g. Hedera
3. Twining petioles e.g.., Clematis
4. Using tendrils
5. Using thorns e.g. climbing rose
LANDSCAPE DESIGN PRINCIPLES
 FOCAL POINT
• THIS IS THE POINT IN YOUR DESIGN THAT SHOULD STAND OUT.
• ONE DOMINANT ELEMENT IN YOUR DESIGN CAN BE DEFINED AS THE FOCAL
POINT.
 CONTRAST
• CONTRAST IN DESIGN REFERS TO THE ACCENTUATION OF THE DIFFERENCES
BETWEEN ELEMENTS IN A DESIGN.
• THE DIFFERENCES CAN BE IN TERMS OF LIGHT AND DARK COLORS, ROUGH AND
SMOOTH TEXTURES, LARGE AND SMALL SHAPES ETC..
 BALANCE
• IT REFERS TO THE WAYS IN WHICH THE ELEMENTS OF DESIGN ARE ARRANGED
IN ORDER TO ACHIEVE EQUILIBRIUM.
• BALANCE CAN BE SYMMETRICAL, ASYMMETRICAL OR RADIAL.
 TEXTURE
• TEXTURE REFERS TO THE DEGREE OF SMOOTHNESS OR ROUGHNESS OF AN
OBJECT.
• TEXTURE CAN EITHER BE VISUAL OR TACTILE.
 SCALE AND PROPORTION
• SCALE REFERS TO SIZE OF AN OBJECT IN RELATIONSHIP WITH ANOTHER
OBJECT WHILE PROPORTION REFERS TO THE RELATIVE SIZE AND SCALE OF
VARIOUS ELEMENTS IN A DESIGN.
• FOR EXAMPLE IN A DESIGN INDIVIDUAL PLANTS ARE SHOWN AS CIRCLES OF 75-
100% OF THE PLANTS MATURE SIZE.
 UNITY
• UNITY IS THE RELATIONSHIP AMONG THE ELEMENTS THAT HELPS ALL THE
ELEMENTS FUNCTION TOGETHER VISUALLY.
• FOR EXAMPLE IN A DESIGN PLANT MATERIALS ARE DEALT IN MASSES BECAUSE
THEY CREATE VISUAL UNITY.
 RHYTHM
• RHYTHM REFERS TO A COMBINATION OF ELEMENTS REPEATED IN A DESIGN BUT
WITH VARIATIONS.
• FOR EXAMPLE, THE ARRANGEMENT OF DIFFERENT PLANTS IN A DESIGN CREATES
RHYTHM WHICH BRINGS ABOUT VISUAL PLEASURE.
 WHAT IS A TREE
A TREE IS A WOODY STEMMED PLANT. THE STEMS ARE CALLED TRUNKS WHICH DO
NOT BRANCH UNTIL A CONSIDERABLE HEIGHT ABOVE THE GROUND. TREES CAN
GROW UP TO 6 METERS HIGH.

PARTS OF A TREES:
ROOT; PART OF THE TREE THAT REMAINS UNDERGROUND. IT ANCHORS THE TREE AND
AIDS IN WATER ABSORPTION FROM THE SOIL.
STEM; STRUCTURE THAT SEPARATES ROOTS FROM THE CROWN AND IT IS WHERE THE
BRANCHES AND LEAVES ARE.

LEAVES; PART OF THE TREE THAT CARRY OUT PHOTOSYNTHESIS.

BRANCHES; SIDE SHOOTS THAT ORIGINATE FROM BUDS IN THE STEM.

FLOWERS; REPRODUCTIVE ORGAN OF A TREE.

 TYPES OF TREES.
• DECIDUOUS TREES:
THESE ARE TREES THAT LOSE THEIR LEAVES IN THE FALL. THESE TYPES OF TREES ARE MOST POPULAR DUE TO THEIR FLOWERING ABILITIES,
FOLIAGE COLOR, AND INTERESTING SHAPES. COMMON DECIDUOUS TREES INCLUDE LARGE TYPES, LIKE OAKS AND MAPLES, OR SMALLER
VARIETIES, SUCH AS FLOWERING DOGWOODS AND CRABAPPLES.
• EVERGREENS:
THESE DO NOT LOSE THEIR LEAVES AND REMAIN GREEN YEAR ROUND. THESE INCLUDE CONIFERS SUCH AS PINE, SPRUCE, AND CEDAR
TREES. THESE TYPE OF TREES ARE FURTHER CATEGORIZED AS; 1 THOSE WITH LEAVES IN THE FORM OF SCALES OR NEEDLES. THEY ARE
USUALLY NARROW, ELONGATED AND COVERED IN RESIN. EXAMPLES ARE CONIFEROUS TREES SUCH AS PINE, CYPRESS AND CEDAR. 2
EVERGREEN TREES WITH BROAD LEAVES. TREES FROM THE EQUATORIAL AREA AND TROPICS FALL UNDER THIS CATEGORY. EXAMPLE, FICUS
AND MAGNOLIA. THESE TYPE OF EVERGREENS ARE WELL KNOWN FOR THEIR LARGE CANOPIES.
• FLOWERLESS TREES (GYMNOSPERMS):
THESE PRODUCE SEEDS BUT THEY ARE NOT ENCLOSED WITHIN THE CARPEL AND THEREFORE ARE NOT FERTILIZED. THE SEEDS ARE INSTEAD
TWO AT THE BASE OF THE SCALES WHICH ARE DISTRIBUTED ON AN AXIS FORMING A CONE. THESE TREES ARE KNOWN AS CONIFERS.
• TREES WITH FLOWERS (ANGIOSPERMS):
THESE ARE TREES WHOSE SEEDS ARE ENCLOSED TO MATURITY WITHIN THE FRUIT, ARE FERTILIZED AND PRODUCE FLOWERS.
MONOCOTYLEDONS: HAVE A SINGLE COTYLEDON IN THE EMBRYO OF THE SEED. E.G., PALMS
DICOTYLEDONS: HAVE TOW COTYLEDONS.
 USES OF TREES
• TIMBER PRODUCTION
• FRUIT PRODUCTION
• MEDICINAL VALUE
• ACT AS WIND BREAKERS
• IMPROVE THE LANDSCAPE OF AN AREA
WHAT IS A SHRUB
• A SHRUB IS A WOODY PLANT
WITH SEVERAL PERENNIAL STEMS
THAT MAY BE ERECT OR MAY LAY
CLOSE TO THE GROUND. IT WILL
USUALLY HAVE A HEIGHT LESS
THAN 13 FEET AND STEMS NO
MORE THAN ABOUT THREE
INCHES IN DIAMETER.
 USES OF SHRUBS
• FOUNDATION PLANTS. SHRUBS ARE OFTEN PLACED AT THE BASE OF A HOME TO HIDE THE FOUNDATION ACT AS A "BASE" OR "ANCHOR"
THAT IMPART A SOLID FEELING TO THE STRUCTURE AND VISUALLY LINK THE HOUSE TO THE SURROUNDING LANDSCAPE

• SHRUB (HEDGE) OR PRIVACY BORDER. ADJACENT HOUSES, SECTIONS OF LANDSCAPES, OR PRIVATE PORTIONS OF A HOME LANDSCAPE ARE
OFTEN SEPARATED OR ENCLOSED BY A SHRUB BORDER, OFTEN CALLED A HEDGE. THERE ARE MANY SHRUBS THAT CAN EFFECTIVELY SERVE AS
HEDGES. SEVERAL TREE SPECIES SUCH AS HORNBEAMS, BEECHES AND HEDGE MAPLE CAN BE PRUNED INTO HEDGES.

• ACCENT PLANTS. ACCENT PLANTS ARE THOSE PLACED NEXT TO A PROMINENT LANDSCAPE FEATURE TO FRAME OR ADD EMPHASIS TO THAT
FEATURE. EXAMPLES OF ACCENT PLANTS ARE SHRUBS PLACED ON EITHER SIDE OF A DOORWAY OR ENTRY PATH AND SHRUBS PLACED TO THE
SIDE OR BENEATH A SIGN, BOULDER, OR SCULPTURE.

• MASS PLANTINGS. SHRUBS IN AN ISLAND BED ARE GROUPED IN ORDER TO BRING OUT A LANDSCAPE STATEMENT. THEY ADD DIMENSION
AND DRAMA TO THE LANDSCAPE. MASS PLANTINGS ARE USED IN LARGE LANDSCAPES THAT CAN ACCOMMODATE THIS USE OF SHRUBS.

• GROUND COVERS. GROUND-COVER SHRUBS ARE LOW-GROWING SHRUBS (AROUND 3 FEET OR LOWER) AND OFTEN HAVE A SPREADING
HABIT. GROUND COVERS ARE COMMONLY USED TO COVER LARGE PORTIONS OF PLANTING BEDS OR LANDSCAPES. RELATIVE TO LANDSCAPE
DESIGN PRINCIPLES, GROUND COVERS AND MASS PLANTINGS SERVE THE "REPETITION" PRINCIPLE IN WHICH PLANTS OF A PARTICULAR SIZE,
SHAPE, COLOR, AND TEXTURE ARE REPEATED TO EASILY LEAD ONE'S EYE THROUGH A LANDSCAPE AND CONNECT PORTIONS OF THE
LANDSCAPE
Privacy screening Defining a pathway.
 SHRUB SELECTION AND MAINTENANCE
• YOU MUST CONSIDER THE ENVIRONMENTAL ASPECTS OF YOUR SITE. FOR EXAMPLE, IS YOUR SITE MOSTLY
SUNNY OR MOSTLY SHADY? IS THE SOIL IN THE SITE GENERALLY MOIST, AVERAGE, OR DRY? DO YOU HAVE
GOOD TOPSOIL OR POORLY DRAINED CLAY? IS THE SOIL ACID OR ALKALINE (DETERMINED BY A SOIL TEST)? IS
THE SITE PARTICULARLY WINDY? WHAT PLANT HARDINESS ZONE ARE YOU IN? ONCE YOU HAVE ANSWERED
THESE QUESTIONS, THEN YOU CAN SELECT SHRUB SPECIES THAT WILL BE SUITED TO YOUR SITE AND
ACCOMPLISHES THE DESIRED FUNCTIONS.

• AVOID USING ONLY ONE OR TWO SPECIES OF SHRUBS IN A LANDSCAPE TO REDUCE CHANCES OF PEST
INFESTATION.

• MULCHING WHICH IS PLACING STRAW, BARK CHIPS, OR SLIGHTLY DECOMPOSED LEAVES 2 TO 3 INCHES DEEP
AROUND THE SHRUB IS DOWN TO REDUCE WATER LOSS FROM THE SOIL , REDUCES WEED GROWTH AND
PROTECTS THE SHRUB FROM LAWN MOWER AND STRING TRIMMER INJURY.
 ANNUAL PLANTS
• ANNUAL FLOWERS ARE PLANTS THAT GROW COMPLETELY IN ONE YEAR. THAT IS, THEY GERMINATE, PRODUCE SEEDS,
FLOWER AND DIE IN ONE YEAR

• TO PLANT ANNUALS, IT IS IMPORTANT TO ENSURE THAT THE SOIL HAS GOOD TEXTURE AND ALLOWS AERATION. SOIL THAT
CLUMP UP EASILY ARE NOT GOOD FOR CULTIVATING ANNUAL FLOWERS.

• THE DEPTH OF THE HOLE FOR THE FLOWER SHOULD BE BETWEEN SIX AND EIGHT INCHES WHILE SPACING BETWEEN THE
FLOWERS SHOULD BE BETWEEN FOUR AND FIVE INCHES. ANNUALS NEED PLENTY OF WATER TO GROW WELL. SOME
EXAMPLES OF ANNUALS INCLUDE PETUNIAS, SWEET PEAS AND ZINNIAS.

USES:

USED FOR GARDEN DECORATION AS FLOWERS SUCH AS ZINNIAS ADD COLOR.

DECORATING OF WALLS. FLOWERS SUCH AS MORNING GLORY, HYACINTH AND PASSION FLOWER ARE KNOWN AS CLIMBING
ANNUALS AND ARE USED FOR DECORATION AND SHADING PURPOSES.
Zinnias Morning Glory