1. Plant Selection
Landscaping
Chapter 7

2. Objectives
Describe the origins and forms of the plant used in landscapes
Explain plant nomenclature
Describe the factors relevant to proper plant selection

3. Origins of Landscape Plants
Native Plants
Evolved naturally within a certain geographic location over a long period of time.
Ex: Eastern White Pine, Douglas Fir
Exotic Plants
Introduced into an area by some means other than nature.
Ex: Junipers and Yews are native to China and Japan
Naturalized Plants
Entered the country as exotics but have adapted so well that they have escaped cultivation and are often mistaken for native plants
Ex: Bird of Paradise is a plant native to South America but grows like a native plant in the desert of the SW US.

4. Plant forms available Woody plants Herbaceous
Trees, shrubs, vines, many ground covers
May be broken down further into coiferous and flowering
Herbaceous
Vines, grasses, nearly all plants used to create floral displays (flowers)

5. How Landscape plants are sold
Bare rooted
Balled and burlapped
containerized

6. Bare rooted plants
Dug from the nursery field and then had the soil washed away from the roots
To prevent drying the roots may be wrapped in damp moss and inserted into a plastic bag or dipped in wax
Plants sold in bare-rooted form are usually deciduous species that are small and dormant at the time of harvest

7. Bare Rooted plants Advantages Disadvantages Light weight
Least expensive
Harvesting techniques reduce the root system and slows new growth
Transplanting season is limited to early spring and late fall

8. Balled & Burlapped (B & B)
Dug at the nursery with a ball of soil intact around the root system
Ball size is determined by plant size and standards established by The American Nursery and Landscape Association
Once the root ball is dug it is wrapped in burlap and tied or pinned to prevent the soil ball from breaking apart
Another harvest trend is to replace or supplement the burlap with a wire basket around the root ball
Essential for the successful transplant of all types of evergreens and large deciduous wood plants

9. Balled & Burlaped Advantages Disadvantages
Less disturbance to the root system
Allows a longer season for transplanting
Allows large plants to be moved and installed
Added weight makes handling difficult
More costly

10. Containerized
Plants are grown and sold in containers such as metal cans, plastic buckets, bushel baskets, plastic bags and wooden boxes
No loss of roots because they are grown in the container they are sold in
Transplant easily with little to no transplant shock and no loss of growth time
Young plants—3 to 4 years old or less
Can be installed at almost any time of year

11. Containerized Advantages Disadvantages
Usually small and easy to handle
Entire root system is intact. No harvest injuries to impede transplanting success
Few restrictions on time of transplant
Large plants seldom available
Plants become rootbound if in container too long

12. Herbaceous Plants
May be started from seeds
Bedding plants
bulbs

13. Plant nomenclature (X)
Common name- the name the plant is know by within a country or region of a country
Botanical name- name that is used and recognized internationally
Expressed in Latin
Assigned to the plant by a taxonomist
Important for landscapers to know both the common and botanical names of plants

14. Selecting the proper plant
Plants need to be selected for more reasons than sentimentality, easy availability, low price or trendiness.

15. Selection factors
Role
Hardiness Heat zone
Physical
Cultural Factors

16. Role factors What function will it serve in the landscape?
Architectural element
Engineering element
Climate control
Aesthetic
See fig 7-6 p. 103

17. Hardiness factor Will it survive the winter?
Most reliable measurment of a plants potential for survival is its hardiness rating
USDA prepares and periodically updates a Hardiness Zone Map
fig 7-10

18. Heat Zone Considerations
Not as well studied
Mid 90’s the American Horticultural Society tracked the number of days various regions of the US experienced tempertures over 86˚F
This is called a heat day
AHS developed a map similar to the one put out by USDA only for heat
To view a copy of a heat map go to

19. Physical factors Mature size and rate of growth
Density of the canopy with and without leaves
Branching habit
Thorns
Shape or silhouette
Leaf size and thickness
Leaf pubescence
Type of root system
Flowering characteristics
Seasonal variation

20. Cultural factors
The requirements for the growth and maintenance of plantings

21. Summary Landscape plants can either be native, exotic or naturalized
Several types and forms available for use
Plants are sold bare rooted, balled and burlaped or containerized
Flowers also come in a variety of forms
Important to know both the common and botanical names of plants
Plants should be selected based upon 4 factors- role, hardiness/heat zone, cultural and physical

22. Assignment Achievement Review parts A, B, C, E 35 points
Due on Thursday