USING PLANTS FCHP Chapter 5 HOS1010C - Introduction to Horticulture

Landscape Design is… the planning needed to accomplish the 3-dimensional arrangement of plants with other elements, to provide beauty and functional use of space.

4.1 List personal qualifications necessary to produce good landscape plans. Good landscape design… * is both and art and a science. * provides a competitive advantage in business. * requires a person who: - is knowledgeable - has artistic talent - can apply artistic principles - has training/experience

4.2 Describe the importance of PLANNING for landscape design. A well-planned landscape… * increases useful area (living and recreational) * increases property value.

4.3 List reasons the horticulture professional should have knowledge of landscape design principles. Even if you never prepare even a simple landscape design, understanding good design… increases your professionalism. allows you to help customers select the best plant material (“right plant/right place”) help customers understand the real value of landscaping.

4.4 List the steps in preparing a landscape design. 1.Map or sketch the property/area to be landscaped 2.Do a site analysis/inventory to show: trees, walks, borders, buildings, beds, sun/shade areas, windows (w/height), doors, power lines, faucets, underground utilities, slope, wet areas, splash areas, soil characteristics (texture, pH) 3.Refine the sketch on graph paper to scale 4.Consult with the customer to determine needs, wants, goals, limitations… 5.Get help from horticulturalists or design professionals as needed. 6.Communicate your plan, provide options and be flexible.

4.5 Describe and define the role of the functional areas of the landscape. Home landscapes usually include 3 distinct areas: 1.PUBLIC AREA - Area open to scrutiny of the public (front; curb appeal) 2.SERVICE AREA - Storage areas for garbage cans, compost bins, utility sheds, parking for recreational/service equipment (side) 3.PRIVATE AREA - The “outdoor living area” or the extension of the indoor living area (back) Student groups research and report on specific landscape principles for each area.

4.6 Describe the roles of tree and shrub plantings in the landscape. TREES… 1.Stabilize/unify the house 2.Soften architectural lines 3.“Frame” the house 4.Focus attention on the house 5.Provide shade (slightly forward and outside corners of house) 6.Add to (not detract) from appeal

4.6 Describe the roles of tree and shrub plantings in the landscape. SHRUBS… 1.Arranged to focus attention on the house and entrance 2.Soften corners and lines of the house 3.Be in scale with the house and yard 4.Add to/not detract from the house 5.Arranged to allow full use of doors, walks, windows 6.Should NOT completely block view of the foundation

4.7 Describe the roles of entrance and corner plantings. ENTRANCE PLANTINGS… 1.Selected based on year-round effect 2.In proportion (height and size) 3.Similar plantings on each side of entrance (symmetrical houses) 4.Most attractive/striking plants on short side (asymmetrical) 5.Should not provide hiding places or access points for criminals

4.7 Describe the roles of entrance and corner plantings. CORNER PLANTINGS… 1.Soften corners and frame house (irregular/informal growth habit) 2.No taller than 2/3rd house height 3.Use a corner tree in foreground to reduce apparent width of long houses 4.For narrow/tall houses, place plants beside the corner to add apparent width 5.For proportional houses, place plants in front of corner

4.8 Describe the importance of a Florida Friendly Landscape. FLORIDA FRIENDLY LANDSCAPE principles… 1.Originated as Xeriscape (1981 Denver Water Department) 2.“Xeri” = Latin for “dry” and “scape” for landscape 3.Conserve and protect water resources without sacrificing beauty. 4.NOT “Zero-scape” 5.In Florida the xeriscape concept is known as ‘Florida Friendly Landscape”.

4.8 Describe the importance of a Florida Friendly Landscape. FLORIDA FRIENDLY LANDSCAPE principles… 6. Saves money on water bills, energy and maintenance costs. 7. Preserves valuable freshwater resources 8. Preserves Florida’s unique landscape beauty (lush/not arid) 9. Based on Florida Yards and Neighborhoods (FYN) program implemented by UF/IFAS. 10. Right Plant/Right Place - 1st of 9 FYN Principles

4.9 Describe the 2 aspects of plant selection. Plants should be selected to suit site conditions determined during site analysis/inventory. The 2 Major aspects of Plant Selection are… 1.Selection of individual plant species and cultivars (based on aesthetic, cultural, and environmental needs) 2.Selection of individual plants based on quality, size and field/container grown.

4.10 Describe the role of color in landscape plantings. COLOR… 1.Colors other than green should be used for accents. 2.Color should complement, not draw attention away from other landscape features. 3.Warm colors decrease apparent distance (red, orange, yellow) 4.Cool colors increase the impression of distance (blue, green, violet) 5.A balance of warm and cool colors provides harmony.

4.11 Define texture and describe the role of texture in landscape design. TEXTURE is the impression of the coarseness or fineness of a plant gained from seeing or feeling the plant. 1.Texture in a landscape is sensed by mainly by sight. 2.A relationship between plant size, number, spacing and types of leaves, twigs, flowers and fruits. 3.Texture comparisons include: coarse/fine, rough/smooth, hard/soft, shiny/dull, light/dark and combinations of these qualities. Student groups research and report on the following plant qualities: size and shape, mass or weight and line quality.