LARC105 Chapter 15: Plant Design Quizlet

Each and every plant installed should serve a predetermined ____. It is to be selected as the best of the available alternatives to suit the specific growing conditions and the precise design requirements, for planting design of excellence is a _____________.

- from Simonds & Starke, Landscape Architecture (5th ed.)

Purpose, blending of science and art.

Why is vegetation very important in planning and design of our environment?

Vegetation and existing ground cover are in fact one of the primary considerations in the selection and planning of most properties.

• They establish the site character

• They hold the soil

• They modify the climate, provide windbreak, and shade

• Screen views

• Define space

Why are new plantings given careful consideration?

Because with new planting; for a single inappropriate plant can alter or destroy the quality of a landscape or disrupt its ecological balance.

What can new plantings do to the environment?

New plantings can do much to transform an otherwise dull and barren site into a more useful, comfortable, and pleasant place to be.

Why is it important to preserve the existing vegetation?

• Fit streets, buildings, and use areas amid natural growth 

• Preserve continuity and scenic quality 

• Reduces installation and maintenance costs 

How does one select each plant to serve an intended purpose?

• Prepare a conceptual planting diagram as an overlay 

• Sketch area-by-area planting intent (e.g., screen billboard to provide shade)

Why are trees the basic

• They establish the site framework 

• Often, little additional planting is needed

When planning trees what should we avoid doing? 

We should avoid regular spacing or grids except in civic/monumental settings. 

Why should you use a canopy tree to unify the site?

• To provide the neighborhood character and identity. 

• Offer shade, soften architecture form spatial ceiling 

Why should you install intermediate trees?

• It understorys screening, windbreak, and visual interest

• Subdivide larger sites into smaller use areas

Why do planners utilize shrubs?

• Provide low-level baffles and screens

• Reinforce paths, nodes, and accentuate key points. 

Why should we treat vines as nets and draperies?

• Stabilizes slopes and drunes 

• Cool exposed walls cascade over walls and fences 

What is the purpose of installing ground covers?

• Retain soils and moisture 

• Define paths and used areas 

• Provide lawn where required 

When planning species, how should planners go about it?

• Select one theme tree, 3-5 supporting secondary trees

• Limited supplementary palette assures simplicity and strength 

How should the dominant theme tree be picked?

• Indigenous, moderately fast growing, low-maintenance

• Plant in groups, swaths, and groves

How does one go about with secondary species?

• It should complement the primary installation 

• Define spaces of lesser magnitude

• Harmonize with the theme and landscape character

How do planners utilize supplementary species?

• To differentiate unique areas of topgoraphy, use, or speical needs

• E.g. Windscreen, shade, and seasonal color

Why should the use of exotics be limited?

Because they often need high maintenance as they take forever to grow, or they’re weird with restrictions.

How should tree groupings be arranged?

• Provide views and expansive open spaces

• Use plants as enframers, not fillers

What is closed or compressed planting like? 

How do planners reinforce path and roadway alignments?

• Used to clarify layout and give direction

How are parking lots and service areas concealed? 

• The use of trees, hedges, and shrubs 

• Combine with mounding, walls, fencing

Why should climate be considered when planting?

• To block winter winds, channel breezes

• Temper sun and impro

Why should planting complement the topography? 

To enclose, subdivide, and otherwise articulate the various functional spaces of a site

Why should plants be used as space definers?

Why is quality better than quantity in planting?

Because one well-selected plant can replace 100 poorly placed ones. So be careful where you place the trees at.

Why should monotonous edges be avoided?

• Undulate horizontal alignment

• Vary vertical profile for appeal

Where can structural trees be used at

Building closures and traffic ways

Why is there an emphasize point in mass planting?

• To highlight dominant points

• Recede bays for depth

Plant qualities for different roles is true because?

• Backdrop/screen/shade: strength, clean form, subtle color 

• Featured plants: sculptural quality ornamental traits 

What should be done to keep sight lines clear?

Avoiding shrubs and low-branched trees in the sight zones