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Landscape Horticulture
Landscape horticulture encompasses landscape design, plant selection,
planting and maintenance. We address these concepts by providing
guidelines to creating and maintaining quality landscapes.
Landscape Design Basics
Landscape design can be defined as organizing and enriching outdoor space
through the placement of plants and structures in an agreeable and useful
relationship with the natural environment.
Designing landscapes is an art. Merely planting trees and shrubs is not
landscaping. Landscaping is creating a plan to make the best use of available
space in the most attractive way. It means shaping the land to make the most of
a site’s natural features and advantages, and it includes building such
necessary structures as fences, walls and patios. Finally, landscaping involves
selecting and growing plants that best fit the design.
The smaller the house, grounds and budget, the greater the need for effective
and complete planning because every square foot of space and every dollar should
produce maximum results. Plan for the best use of the site and minimum upkeep as
well as pleasant appearance.
Plan for complete development. There is no need to develop all of the lot at
once. However, there should be an overall plan so that when any work is done on
the lot, it will be part of the general scheme. Carrying out the landscape plan
generally takes several years since plants need time to grow. Do not allow a
spade of earth to be turned until a grading schedule has been prepared from a
well-studied plan for house and lot. To do otherwise is to sacrifice other
things, such as valuable trees and soil.
Analysis of Site and Family Needs
The fundamental principle of landscape design is that each development should
be based upon a specific program. In turn, this program should be based upon the
following criteria: (1) the people who will use it, their cultural needs,
individual desires and economic abilities; (2) the climate; (3) the site, its
immediate surroundings, its topographic and ecological conditions and all
objects, natural or man-made, now existing on the site or planned for the
future; and (4) the available materials and methods of fabrication.
The landscape designer must study the habits of people and what they do, and
understand their desires and needs. The landscape designer also must determine
what space and materials are available and how they may be used to accommodate
these goals.
The first step in landscape design is to divide the available space into use
areas including: the public area, the private area, and the service or work area. The public area is the section seen by passersby. It is generally
in front of the house and should present an attractive public view. The living
or private area is for the family and may consist of a patio, deck or porch for
outdoor sitting, entertaining or dining. A play area may be incorporated into
the living area, depending on the family’s interest and the ages of any
children. A service or storage and work area should provide a place for garbage,
garden tools, supplies, etc. It should have convenient access and may be
screened from other areas. A cut flower bed or vegetable garden may be
conveniently located in or near the service area.
Factors Influencing Landscape Design
The Lot and Its Characteristics. In planning a design, preserve the best
natural resources on the site, such as mature trees, ponds, brooks, rock
outcroppings, good soil, turf and interesting variations in the terrain. These
natural elements affect the ease of construction and contribute to the overall
landscape possibilities. Carefully survey the area to determine whether site
conditions will be a deterrent or whether they can be incorporated into a design
plan. Thin, overcrowded trees may be a problem and should be removed.
Micro-environmental problems may exist on a site, such as low places with cold
air drainage or areas with poor soil and inadequate water drainage.
Changes in elevation can add interest and variety to the home landscape. The
character of the land, its hills, slope and trees should determine the basic
landscape pattern. A hilly, wooded lot lends itself to an informal or natural
design, with large areas left in their natural state. In such a setting, large
trees can be retained.
Although natural slope variations are an asset, avoid creating too many
artificial slopes. Excessive grading of terraces or retaining walls should be
avoided. If these features are necessary to facilitate construction or control
water drainage, they should be designed to detract as little as possible from
the natural terrain.
Neighborhood Sights and Sounds.
Keep attractive views visible and screen undesirable views. A
shrub or two will often provide any necessary screening. Plants can also act as
noise barriers. Principal rooms of the house should look out on the lawn or the
garden. Design special areas to be viewed from favorite windows.
Climate.
Climate includes sunlight, wind, temperature and all forms of
precipitation. Climate affects the way a house should be placed on a lot, how
the land is used and what is planted. In planning the grounds, do not fight the
climate; instead, capitalize on its advantages. In warm regions, enlarge the
outdoor living area. In cold regions, plan the landscape so that winter scenes
are enjoyed from indoors. Evergreens and hedges are picturesque when covered
with snow. Since people respond differently to sun and shade, it is also
important to study the amount and location of each on the lot. Sun and shade
patterns change with the seasons and vary each minute of the day.
The sun is higher and shadows are shorter in summer than in winter.
Northern exposures receive the least light and are therefore the coolest.
Eastern and western areas receive more light; western exposures are warmer than
eastern because they receive afternoon light. Southern orientations receive the
most light and tend to be warmest.
The principal rooms of a house should benefit from winter sun and summer
breeze. This means that the house must be correctly oriented. A plan suited to
one lot will not be correct for another lot facing a different direction.
Sunlight and shade can be controlled by the location of buildings, fences and
trees. Also consider possible shade from trees and houses on neighboring lots.
Plan future shade from tree plantings with great care in order to keep sunny
areas for the garden and summer shade for the house and terrace. Deciduous trees
(those that shed their leaves) shade the house in summer and admit the sun in
winter. Place trees off the corners rather than the sides of the house where
they will accent the house and not block views and air circulation from windows.
Remember that too many trees tend to shut out sunlight and air.
Family Activities.
How the land is going to be used should be a determining
factor in landscape design. Analyze family activities; for example, small
children need an open lawn for playing and gardeners need space for growing
vegetables and flowers. Make allowances for future changes. Consider outdoor
living, playing, gardening and household servicing. Family routines follow a
general pattern, but they vary with each family’s way of living.
Cost Effective Maintenance.
Decide on maintenance standards. For the person
who enjoys puttering about the yard, landscape design may be elaborate. In
general, the simpler the site, the less there is to maintain. A low maintenance
plan is the goal of most homeowners. This may be achieved to a large extent in
the planning stage by careful attention to the nature of the site. Existing
trees, elevations and projected use of the area should be prime considerations.
Low maintenance may be achieved by adopting one or more of the following:
- Have small lawn areas
- Use ground covers or natural pine straw, bark chips and other mulches
- Pave heavily-traveled areas
- Provide brick or concrete mowing strips for flower beds and shrub borders
- Use fences or walls instead of clipped formal hedges for screening
- Design raised flower beds for easy access and to help control weeds
- Install an underground irrigation system in areas of low rainfall
- Have small flower beds and use flowering trees and shrubs for color
- Be selective in the choice of plant materials; some plants require much less
pruning, spraying and watering than others
- Use native plant materials
- Keep the design simple
- Use mulches for weed control when possible, but if herbicides become
necessary, use caution and follow directions
Definition of Areas and Design Considerations
The residential landscape can be divided into three areas: public, private
and service.
Public Area.
This is the area the public sees, generally in front facing the
street. The landscape in this area should create an illusion of spaciousness.
Tall trees in the backyard and medium-sized trees on the sides and in front will
help accomplish this effect. Keep the lawn open and keep shrubs to the side or
in foundation plantings. When selecting shrubs to frame the front door, consider
their texture, color, size and shape so they will enhance the total effect of
welcoming guests. The house is to be the focal point of the view.
Driveways should be pleasing in appearance, useful and safe. The landscaping
of many homes is spoiled by poorly designed and maintained driveways. Some
driveways tend to unnecessarily cut up the yard. Parking areas and turnabouts
should be provided when practical. If possible, the driveway should be
hard-surfaced because it is neater and requires less maintenance than unpaved
driveways. Do not plant tall shrubbery at a driveway entrance or allow
vegetation to grow so tall that it obstructs the view of the roadway in either
direction.
In planning the home grounds, give careful consideration to foot traffic
patterns so there will be easy access from one area to another. This traffic may
be served by walkways, terraces or open stretches of lawn. In areas of heavy
use, a paved surface is best.
Design of the walkway to the front door often depends on the location of the
front door relative to parking and the topography of the land. When guest
parking is at the edge of the street, a straight walk is probably best if the
grade is suitable. When the guest parking area is planned for the property, the
walk might more logically lead from the guest parking area to the front door.
Foot traffic can use the driveway.
Sometimes land topography makes it desirable to have the entrance walkway
start at the edge of the property and curve to the front door to take advantage
of a gradual grade. However, avoid curved walks that have no apparent reason for
curving.
Generally, the walkway to the front door parallels the house and joins the
driveway. This design is sometimes used if the driveway entrance grade at the
street is less steep than the area directly in front of the door. This type of
design might eliminate the need for stairs. When the walkway is parallel to the
house, be sure sufficient space is left for plant material.
For a residence, make the front walkway at least 4 feet wide. Build safe
walkways, avoiding use of materials that are rough or raised since it is
possible to trip or stumble on such materials. Design steps so they will be
safe, especially in wet or icy weather. Make the treads wider and the risers
less tall than the treads and risers used indoors. Install handrails where
needed.
Private or Outdoor Living Area. The private living area or outdoor living
room has become an important part of American homes. No yard is too small to
have a private sitting area where family and guests can gather. Where possible,
there should be easy access from the house to the outdoor area. The ideal
arrangement is to have the living room open onto a porch or terrace and have the
kitchen near the outdoor dining area. The outdoor living room can be simple. An
open, grassy area enclosed by a wall or shrubs enables the homeowner and guests
to sit outdoors in private. Alternatively, a more elaborate outdoor living room
can be developed by introducing a series of gardens or garden features.
The outdoor private area serves the following functions:
Outdoor entertaining
Family relaxation
Recreation
Outdoor eating
Aesthetic enjoyment When planning major private areas, several factors should be considered.
Privacy. The area should be screened from public view or nearby neighbors
using properly grouped shrub borders or trees. For a small area, use a fence to
save space. The private area should be screened from work areas, such as
clotheslines, wood piles, garden sheds or other less pleasant views.
Livable touch. Furniture should be attractive, designed for outdoor use and
appropriate for the size of the landscaping. Garden accessories should be kept
to a minimum and should be simple and unobtrusive.
Year-round interest. The outdoor living area should be planned so that the
selection of plant material is varied and there is interest throughout the year.
This is especially true if the area is visible from the house. For winter
interest, select shrubs and trees with colorful bark, evergreen foliage or
colorful fruit. During the rest of the year, use flowers, shrubs and trees to
create interest. Pools, stone steps, paving, walls, bird-feeders and other
architectural features will add interest to the garden. Architectural details do
not change with the seasons and can give interest and meaning to the garden
throughout the year.
Climate control. Control of climate in the outdoor living area helps extend
its period of usefulness. Shade trees screen the area from hot sun, and
windbreaks reduce some of the wind in the spring. An awning or trellis-type roof
can provide shade or shelter from rain. A garden pool or fountain conveys the
effect of coolness during the hot summer season.
The terrace or sitting area. The center of activity for a living area is
often a space arranged with garden or patio furniture. It may be a porch, deck
or terrace next to the house or a special section of the living area. It may be
under the shade of a large tree or in a shady corner. The sitting center may be
either paved or in turf. Flagstone, brick, concrete blocks or concrete with
redwood dividers are materials commonly used for surfacing the outdoor terrace.
The size of the paved terrace depends upon its expected use and the type and
amount of furniture. A 10 by 10 foot area will hold four chairs and is about the
minimum size to comfortably accommodate four people. Increase the size if space
is desired for a picnic table and a grouping of four to eight chairs. This area
may also include a grill or outdoor cooking area.
The play area. The play area can be part of the outdoor living area, or it
can be separate from it. For very young children, a small area enclosed by a
fence near the kitchen or living area is desirable. A swing, sand box or other
playing equipment can be placed here. In yards with a good deal of open lawn
space, there is room for croquet, badminton or a pool. A large
tree in the back yard may be ideal for a tree house. A paved driveway or parking
area makes an ideal area for badminton, basketball or shuffleboard for older
children, as well as tricycling or roller skating for younger ones. Since
children’s ages and interests are always changing, it is necessary to make
design adjustments to meet changing recreational needs.
Enclosed front yard as a private area. The front yard of most homes is
traditionally left open so that the home can be viewed by passersby. However,
privacy for the front area can be provided by hedges or a screen of trees and
shrubs along the street. For example, privacy in the front yard may be desired
if a picture window faces the street or if the front yard is used for outdoor
sitting. Where space is limited, a tall fence may provide privacy and may be an
attractive background for shrubs and smaller plants. Check city codes and
ordinances. Tall front yard fences may not be allowed without a variance.
Service, Work or Production Areas. Space often needs to be provided for
permanent clotheslines, garbage cans, trash burners, air-conditioner units, tool
storage, wood storage, a vegetable garden, compost bin or pile, a cutting
garden, propagating structures, small greenhouses or a kennel. Service
facilities should not be visible from the outdoor living area or from the
street. However, an exception might be an attractive greenhouse or tool-storage
building designed and constructed so that it blends into the overall setting and
has an interesting composition of plants around it. Wood or wire fences, brick
or masonry walls, plant material alone or a combination of these elements are
most commonly used to hide or partially screen service areas.
In a small backyard, it may not be feasible to completely enclose a permanent
clothesline if such a drying fixture is needed or wanted. Homes equipped with
dryers may not wish or need to have clotheslines. Hiding poles with one or two
large shrubs or using a vine-covered trellis will make them less noticeable.
Portable clotheslines are a solution if there is not enough space for
permanent drying areas. When possible, the permanent or portable drying areas
should be located near the laundry center.
02/01/2009
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