1

3.063.06

The Elements of Planting The Elements of Planting Design Design

Supporting the Plants In A CompositionSupporting the Plants In A Composition

Designing the Natural CompositionDesigning the Natural Composition

2

To fill this void, the planting designer To fill this void, the planting designer often uses several alternative often uses several alternative

materials to take the place of plants. materials to take the place of plants.

3

StoneStone

The most popular of these materials is stone.The most popular of these materials is stone. Allow Allow soil pockets to collect below and between the stones. soil pockets to collect below and between the stones.

This provides the shade needed to support plant This provides the shade needed to support plant

growth.growth.

4

Do not place stones perpendicular to the soil base. Do not place stones perpendicular to the soil base.

This does not allow the stones to protect the soil for plant This does not allow the stones to protect the soil for plant growth. growth.

Allow only a portion of a large stone to appear above ground; Allow only a portion of a large stone to appear above ground; expose only the weathered part. expose only the weathered part.

If stratified material is used, make sure that all stones follow If stratified material is used, make sure that all stones follow the same formation. the same formation.

With a large collection of stone material, use large boulders With a large collection of stone material, use large boulders for the central elements and support them with smaller ones for the central elements and support them with smaller ones

around the edges of the composition.around the edges of the composition.

5

WaterWater

As a reflecting pool, a producer of soothing As a reflecting pool, a producer of soothing sounds, or a supplier of moisture for exotic sounds, or a supplier of moisture for exotic plants, water can be an excellent support plants, water can be an excellent support

element for planting designs.element for planting designs.

6

Aquatic varieties can be classified as: Aquatic varieties can be classified as: deep aquaticsdeep aquatics, ,

marginal aquaticsmarginal aquatics, or , or floating aquaticsfloating aquatics

7

Screens and FencesScreens and Fences  

A screen is a freestanding visual barrier, while a fence functions A screen is a freestanding visual barrier, while a fence functions more as a physical barrier. more as a physical barrier.

Screens or fences can be used independently from plants, in Screens or fences can be used independently from plants, in association with small shrubs or groundcovers, or as the association with small shrubs or groundcovers, or as the

framework for the support of vines or climbing groundcovers.framework for the support of vines or climbing groundcovers.

8

Berms Berms   

Berms are mounds of soil, used when visual Berms are mounds of soil, used when visual niches or vistas are needed in the niches or vistas are needed in the

composition.composition.

9

Plant ContainersPlant Containers  

Useful for the introduction of annuals or exotic species into a Useful for the introduction of annuals or exotic species into a composition, the container itself should not be the major composition, the container itself should not be the major

concern of the planting designer. concern of the planting designer.

The plants in the container are still the most important The plants in the container are still the most important considerations, and regular design approaches should be used considerations, and regular design approaches should be used

in solving design problems with these plants.in solving design problems with these plants.

10

Designing Designing the the

Natural CompositionNatural Composition

To solve this problem, the planting designers need only look To solve this problem, the planting designers need only look at the relationships between the two terms. at the relationships between the two terms.

The following principles may help in developing a natural The following principles may help in developing a natural

landscape setting:landscape setting:

11

Final composition should lack formality and Final composition should lack formality and repetition of elements. repetition of elements.

The plants should be placed according to their The plants should be placed according to their environmental needs first – and then according to environmental needs first – and then according to

their design functions. their design functions.

No artificial or mechanical devices should be used to No artificial or mechanical devices should be used to supplement growing conditions. supplement growing conditions.

12

The design forms should follow the basic life forms The design forms should follow the basic life forms as they are found naturally. as they are found naturally.

13

The composition should represent, as closely as The composition should represent, as closely as possible, the possible, the successionalsuccessional stage in which the plant stage in which the plant

materials are found. materials are found.