1. Principles of Landscaping, Maintenance, Xeriscaping, and Water Gardens
Unit 34

2. Objectives
Apply the principles of landscaping, maintenance, xeriscaping, to an actual setting to understand the goals of the landscape profession.
Describe 3 major career fields within residential landscaping
List the main objectives of good residential landscaping
List the 5 principals of landscape design and examples of an application of each principle
List 3 hard paving and 3 soft paving materials
List the technical procedures for landscape maintenance
Calculate the volume of mulch needed to cover a landscape bed

3. Objectives (cont’) List the basic concepts of xeriscaping
List ways the soil can be improved to conserve water
Identify plants that can be used in xeriscape setting
Explain why mulches are important
Explain what a water garden is

4. The Landscape Industry
See Assignment at

5. Objectives of Residential Landscaping
To serve the needs and desires of people in development of the outdoor environment, specifically…
To Determine the exact landscape needs and desires of the homeowner.
To determine the capabilities of the land to fulfill those needs and desires.
To develop the outdoor living area of the landscape in a manner similar to the way indoor living areas are developed.
To design the landscape in such a way that maintenance practices do not exceed that which the homeowner is willing to do.
To keep costs within the budget of the home owner.

6. Questions to ask a client before designing their landscape.
How many family members are there? What are their ages?
How much does the family use the outdoor areas around the home?
Does the family entertain frequently? Large or small groups?
How much privacy from the neighbors and passing cars do they desire?
How much maintenance are they willing to do in the upkeep of the landscape?

7. More Questions
Are there certain plants they are fond of, dislike, or are allergic to?
What service needs will the landscape be expected to accommodate?
Will the family be using the garden after dark?
How much does the family want to spend on the total development of the landscape?
Is the family willing to wait several years for the plants to reach maturity or do they want large plants installed for an immediate effect?

8. Site Analysis
Important step for determining the capabilities of the site
Take note of the following areas…
Dimensions of the property
Topography of the site (how flat or rolling it is)
Quality of the topsoil and subsoil
Condition of the lawn areas
Types and condition of existing plants
Location of utility lines, meters, and utility easements
Good and bad views from the site
Locations of glass areas in the house and where they open onto in the landscape
Architectural style of the neighborhood
Environmental setting of the site and the neighborhood
Existing natural features such as streams, rock outcroppings, specimen plants, and wildlife habitat areas

9. Also take note of…
Location of utility lines, meters, and utility easements
Good and bad views from the site
Locations of glass areas in the house and where they open onto tin the landscape
Architectural style of the neighborhood
Environmental setting of the site and the neighborhood
Existing natural features such as streams, rock outcroppings, specimen plants, and wildlife habitat areas

10. The Outdoor Room
Visualizing the outdoors in a similar manner as the indoors can be helpful in developing a landscape
Each area of the outdoor landscape is a “room” separated by shrubs, fences, brick or stone, exterior walls, or trellises
Floors include sand, stone, concrete, brick, decking, grass
Trees make an excellent ceiling, as do awnings, canopies, or other overhead structures

11. Walls
“Wall” materials are selected based on how much privacy and security is needed
Total security = 6’ tall, solid wall
Less security = lower and more open
Wall will provide the shape and limits of the outdoor room

12. Floor Hard paving – concrete, flagstone, tile, decking and brick
Expensive to install
Inexpensive to maintain
Soft paving – crushed stone, wood chips, marble chips, washed gravel, pine needles
Moderate cost for both installation and maintenance
Turf Grass – most popular
Low installation, but high maintenance costs
Ground covers – cover areas no one will be walking such as slopes or under trees

13. The Principles Of Landscape Design
Simplicity
Balance
Focalization
Rhythm and line
Scale and Proportion

14. Simplicity Important to overall unity of design
Accomplished by repeating specific plants throughout design, by massing plant types or colors rather than spacing

15. Balance
If properly balanced, the left side should have no more visual weight than the right
Symmetrical balance – attained when 1 side is an exact duplicate of the other
Asymmetrical balance – one side of the landscape has the same visual weight as the other, but no duplicates

16. Focalization of Interest
Recognizes that the viewer’s eye wants to see only 1 feature as being most important
All other elements complement that important feature
Specimen plants are used to create the focal point

17. Rhythm and line Contribute to overall unity of the landscape
Develop continuity among different areas of the landscape
Repeating shapes and angles, or lines between various areas and elements of the design

18. Scale and Proportion
Keeps all elements of the landscape in the correct size relationship w/o towering over the buildings

19. Unity Master principle of landscape design
Creates the flow among scale and proportion, balance, accent, rhythm, and simplicity
Design will complement the surroundings and create an aesthetic appeal

20. Landscape Maintenance
One of the fastest growing divisions of the green industry
Involves technical knowledge of the following skills
Replacement of plant material
Application of mulch to proper depth around plants
Application of soil analysis
Pruning
Weed Control
Planting and caring for flower beds
Proper mowing procedures
Maintenance of landscape accessories.

21. Xeriscaping Used to practice water conservation in creative landscape
Ensures water efficiency in al future landscape practices
Basic concepts involve…
Good design and planning
Improving the soil
Turf areas
Use of ground covers
Low water use
Plant selection
Use of mulches
Use of low-volume irrigation
Proper landscape maintenance