Placing Your
Plants
Living trees, shrubs, vines,
groundcovers, annuals and perennials are usually the most
important materials in landscaping. Their selection, placement
and maintenance are the main criteria the layman uses to
evaluate landscape work. It is extremely important, therefore,
to select plants that will serve the function as dependably as
possible. For every landscape need there are numerous plants
to choose from.
Plant
Grouping
Plants
are basically used as specimens, in lines, in groups or in
masses. Each method creates a different effect. Most
landscapes will use all four types of groupings.
• Specimen or accent: You can use
plants as specimens to emphasize a character shrub or
an
unusully interesting tree. Use sparingly an
accent plant can can create interest and contrast.
Flowering trees are commonly used for accents. Placing a
specimen plant or small tree near
the homes entrance
can draw attention to that area.
• Line: Lines of
trees, shrubs and other plants can help carry the home's
architectural lines into
the landscape. Straight or
curved lines of tree plantings can shade parking or play areas
or
serve as a windbreak. Always select hardy,
well-adapted plants to form a line since the visual
effect can be spoiled if any of the plants become damaged.
Also be sure that the same soil,
drainage and sun
conditions occur along the entire row since any of these
factors will
significantly affect the
plant.
• Group: Grouping is a
relatively natural way to use plants. Placing several trees,
shrubs, etc.
fairly close together will create a
more massive effect. Since plants are often grouped
naturally,
this is a good method to relate your
landscape to the natural environment.
•
Mass: The mass is an extension of group
planting. In mass plantings the individual plants
tend
to lose identity. Mass plantings are useful for
relating larger buildings to the site since these
plantings can be large enough to be in
scale.
Selecting, Final Planning,
and Purchasing
Landscape
professionals can help you choose and locate new trees,
shrubs, or ground cover. Share your drawings and tentative
ideas with your local nursery or landscape contractor.
As
long as you have defined intended uses and spaces in
which planting is actually possible, a competent nursery or
landscape specialist will be able to help you make
decisions.
When planting
trees, shrubs, hedges, or bushes, find out how large the
mature specimen will grow. In all cases, determine spacing by
the mature sizes. For those plants close to your house, plan
for at least 1 foot (30 centimeters) of extra clearance
between the full-grown shrub and the wall of the home. This
will prevent heavy pruning or damage to home siding in the
future.
After considering the placement of your trees
and consulting landscaping and nursery professionals, go back
to your drawings or plans and add the new information on
species,
shape, and mature-size spacing. This provides a
final, pre-purchase review to make sure
that all elements
will work well together-in the short and long term.
|
