UNIT I - INTRODUCTION TO PLANTING DESIGN

Planting Design

 Planting design is the design of the outer spaces using materials including
plants.

 To understand how to design with plants, it’s important to segregate the

different ways in which plants can be used in the landscape designing
process.

 Planting design is an art that requires a professional knowledgeable in

horticulture and creativity with nature's palette.

 Includes effectively use living materials in the design of environments that

are functional and sustainable and that harmonize aesthetically with their
surroundings.

 Includes growth requirements of plants, plant nomenclature, plant

selection and procurement, nursery production, and ecologically
sustainable plant use.
 UNIT I - INTRODUCTION TO PLANTING DESIGN

INTRODUCTION TO PLANTING DESIGN

Planting Design

Planting design cannot be separated from landscape design, but has to analyzed
together in different angles

Analyzing the appearance of an individual plants…

Exploring how plants can be used to fulfill various design requirements

Assimilation of extensive body of data about plants…

 Its synthesis into a framework which is directly applicable to the process of

designing with plants…

Principles involved in developing a systematic approach to

designing with Plants:

-Ecology -Aesthetic values

-Botany -Growth & Survival
-Horticulture -Use of Plants in design
 UNIT I - INTRODUCTION TO PLANTING DESIGN

Plants are like green building blocks that defines or creates spaces.
They are the living and changing structures, which used to build a frame
work that defines or orders space in the landscape.
 UNIT I - INTRODUCTION TO PLANTING DESIGN

PLANTS AS LIVING MATERIALS

•Structural
– to create vertical lines and shape
of design

• Focal Points
– to create interesting pictures in
the landscape

• Ground cover
– to create horizontal pattern to
connect all the design

• Ornamental
– to create decorated landscape / to
add interest

• Functional
– planting for use. Eg. Vegetable
garden, kitchen garden
 UNIT I - INTRODUCTION TO PLANTING DESIGN

PLANTS AS STRUCTURAL, FUNCTIONAL AND DECORATIVE ELEMENTS

FUNCTIONAL AND SPATIAL

Form & foliage density affects its ability  FUNCTIONAL AND SPATIAL
to shelter, screen or shade.
 VISUAL AND OTHER SENSORY
Rooting habit determines its binding to
soil and protects erosion.  PLANT GROWTH HABIT AND
CULTURAL
Height act as a barrier function

VISUAL AND OTHER SENSORY GROWTH

Depends on nature and visual sensitivity Existence of species in a habitat or
of the location. ecological niche. For e.g.:

Garden or courtyard – more of details Urban street trees – suited to the

and composition is expressed. environment.

Reclamation site – the aesthetic & Site with inhospitable or polluted the
decorative qualities are given less technical demands of plants would
importance. outweigh the visual qualities of
foliage and flowering
 UNIT I - INTRODUCTION TO PLANTING DESIGN

ROUND Rounds – are spherical plants where the foliage

forms a ball of equal height and width with the base
curving in FORMAL shape

Uses: 1. used at landscape of avenues

2. Creation of bulging effect
Demerits: 1. Creates Minor focal points
2. Growth: space ratio is not mutual
Domes – have rounded tops (canopies) with
the width of the foliage greater than the height.

Merits: Its lovely shape associates well with

other shapes softening their impact
DOME
BELL
Bell shaped groups have the height, greater than the
width, and the foliage spreads outwards at base.

Merits: These shaped plants are good for boundary &

shelter beds.
 UNIT I - INTRODUCTION TO PLANTING DESIGN
Cypress (Cupressus sempervirens
COLUMNAR / FASTIGATE
When the height is 5 times greater than the width, then the
spread is called as Columnar.
Merit: Creates focal points
Note: These trees should be properly placed or integrated to
avoided the disturbances for the eyes.

OVAL
Oval shaped – has its height greater than its width and
the base of the shape turning inwards.

Merits: Looks very formal; Good for avenues

Araucaria columnaris,Christmas Tree,
CONE Populus tremula – aspen
These are conical plants where the base of the
foliage tapering towards the top till the apex is
reached.

Merits: Formal planting

Focal points
Can be softened with dome or bell shaped plants.
 UNIT I - INTRODUCTION TO PLANTING DESIGN

FAN Ravenala madagascariensis

(Travelers Palm)
This fan shape – is narrow at the base and spreads out
at the top.

Merits: VISUAL INTEREST Can be created with these

type of trees by adding them at the appropriate places

SPIKE
These are the ones with no clear definition
in the shape and very irregular, possessing
spiky foliage.

Demerit: Focal points can not be created.

IRREGULAR
These shapes – do not have definite shape, but
specifically irregular. The difference between Spikes
and this is – the rigidity in the form.

Merit: A fine shape against building makes good focal

point Mangifera indica,Mango
 UNIT I - INTRODUCTION TO PLANTING DESIGN

CLASSIFICATION ACCORDING TO HABIT OF PLANTS

WEEPING
An effect caused by the branches of the tree all dropping
down from the main trunk
Merit: Lovely habit especially in round trees
Uses: Good focal points esp. neat Water bodies

This effect is caused when the Main

branches grow upwards, but then
droop at the ends and sag. Shrubs with
the drooping ends are called
ARCHING

Pendulous trees make a good focal PENDULOUS

point if placed near any built structure
 UNIT I - INTRODUCTION TO PLANTING DESIGN

TORTUROUS
This variety of trees has the twisted branches even at a
young age. It is difficult to place torturous plants as
they tend to “quarrel” with each other or with other
plants. Informal Habit / Most effective when used in
water gardens.

VERTICAL
This classification of trees is found in
most COMMON

But, the leaves hide this structure of the

branches

HORIZONTAL
Here, significant branching is seen.

When used as focal points, it is distinct & stand alone.

 UNIT I - INTRODUCTION TO PLANTING DESIGN

PLANTING CAN CREATE THE FLOOR, WALLS AND CEILING OF INTIMATE OUTDOOR ROOMS.
 UNIT I - INTRODUCTION TO PLANTING DESIGN

SPATIAL FUNCTIONS OF PLANTS:

The spatial characteristic of plants contribute to
the space structure of the landscape. The height of
the plants determines the spatial frame,
movement, vision control and physical
experience.
Canopy Plant type
height
Ground level Mown grasses, turf plants, ground
hugging and carpeting
herbaceous plants and shrubs.

Below knee Dwarf shrubs, sub-shrubs, low –

height growing herbaceous plants
Knee- waist Small shrubs and medium
height growing plants
Waist – eye Medium shrubs and tall growing
level plants
Above eye Tall shrubs and trees
level
 UNIT I - INTRODUCTION TO PLANTING DESIGN

Ground level planting – carpet plants.

Foliage canopy close to ground lvl.
The plants are grass and turf
species.
Obstructs vision nor movement
They allow free vision and
movement.
Even and firm ground plants
provide a pedestrian and
circulation surface. Visual link between related areas
Wear tolerant species when grazed/
mown form surface suitable for
relaxing, walking, play and sport.
This accounts way for grass lands Occasional circulation surface
and meadows.
Carpet of mown grass enhance
ground modeling
Breaks of slopes can be emphasized
by change of ground cover Patterns on the ground.
contrasting foliage
 UNIT I - INTRODUCTION TO PLANTING DESIGN

Shrubs And Herbaceous Plants – Below Knee ht (Low Planting)

Ground cover – Species adapt to the local conditions.

Free Visual Movement, defined edges,.
Hanging Curtains – effective barriers.

Allows uninterrupted vision but deters movement.

Can form a carpet of foliage below

Can form a Carpet of patterns viewed taller plants.
from above
 UNIT I - INTRODUCTION TO PLANTING DESIGN

Knee to eye level planting – Medium Height Planting

Barrier to movement.
Visual platform
Effective barrier / separate areas
Keeping people or vehicles away
from steep slopes, water or from
each other.
Emphasize pathways. Can Link horizontal and vertical planes

Climbing Species on a support can Shrubs or small trees act as an edge or

form an effective barrier separating element.
 UNIT I - INTRODUCTION TO PLANTING DESIGN

Planting Above eye level – (Tall shrubs , Small tree planting)

Shrubs, Small trees – canopy extending eye
level.
Visual and Physical barrier.
Isolated pair of tall shrubs or small trees
create a frame, vista, focus or land mark.
Tall plant placed close act in a similar way
to wall, fence, screen and shelter.
It also screen intrusions like car parking,
service areas and trash bins. Can Define territory

Provide visual focus

Improve privacy within building
UNIT I - INTRODUCTION TO PLANTING DESIGN
UNIT I - INTRODUCTION TO PLANTING DESIGN
 UNIT I - INTRODUCTION TO PLANTING DESIGN

TREE PLANTING

Used for screening, separating,

sheltering, enclosing accompanying
and completing large structure.
Mature Ht trees range from – 5m – 10m
Medium Ht – 10 – 20m
Tall – Above 20m.
Tall tree planting form tree belts and
plantations which provide screening so
visual anchority.
Single specimen / small group of trees
act as a focus
UNIT I - INTRODUCTION TO PLANTING DESIGN
UNIT I - INTRODUCTION TO PLANTING DESIGN
 UNIT I - INTRODUCTION TO PLANTING DESIGN

PLANTING DESIGN

Design with plants involve the 4th dimension “Time”.

Thus, long term consequence of design dimensions play an important role in

the success or failure of a designed landscape.

Growth & Life span are closely related…

It is classified into two types:

1. Faster Growing species GROWTH & LIFE SPAN

2. Slower Growing species

FASTER GROWING SLOWER GROWING

SPECIES SPECIES
 UNIT I - INTRODUCTION TO PLANTING DESIGN

1. FASTER GROWING SPECIES:

 ….have shorter life

 …generally have sparser foliage. Eg. Eucalyptus

 Thus growth rate can determine the physical

appearance and also its suitability of various
design purposes.
Context of Use:
Fast growing trees are appropriate in situations where…

 quick results are preferred. Eg. Wind-breaks, shelter beds.

Immediate results with respect to soil stabilization are necessary

“Nurse plants” required to protest lower sensitive species are necessary

 UNIT I - INTRODUCTION TO PLANTING DESIGN

2. SLOWER GROWING SPECIES:

 have longer life

 Generally have denser foliage and

mostly used to encourage wild life in
the neighborhood.
Context of Use:

Slow growing trees are preferred where,

sustained environmental benefits are
required in situations such as…

 Road-side planting
 Campuses
 Township
 Public landscapes