Planting Design

  1. The Planting Design Process
    1. Project Initiation and Goal Setting
      1. Client Consultation
        1. Understanding Client Preferences
          1. Lifestyle Considerations
            1. Aesthetic Preferences
              1. Functional Needs
              2. Identifying Constraints and Opportunities
                1. Site Limitations
                  1. Budget Parameters
                    1. Regulatory Requirements
                  2. Brief Development
                    1. Project Objectives
                      1. Primary Goals
                        1. Secondary Objectives
                          1. Success Metrics
                          2. Budget Considerations
                            1. Initial Investment
                              1. Long-term Maintenance Costs
                                1. Phasing Strategies
                                2. Timeline and Phasing
                                  1. Project Milestones
                                    1. Seasonal Considerations
                                      1. Implementation Phases
                                    2. Defining Programmatic Needs
                                      1. Functional Requirements
                                        1. Activity Spaces
                                          1. Circulation Needs
                                            1. Service Areas
                                            2. User Groups and Activities
                                              1. Primary Users
                                                1. Activity Types
                                                  1. Accessibility Needs
                                              2. Site Analysis and Inventory
                                                1. Understanding Genius Loci
                                                  1. Cultural Context
                                                    1. Historical Significance
                                                      1. Cultural Traditions
                                                        1. Community Values
                                                        2. Sense of Place
                                                          1. Unique Characteristics
                                                            1. Existing Character
                                                              1. Contextual Relationships
                                                            2. Climatic Conditions
                                                              1. Regional Climate
                                                                1. Climate Zone Classification
                                                                  1. Seasonal Patterns
                                                                  2. Hardiness Zones
                                                                    1. Temperature Extremes
                                                                      1. Growing Season Length
                                                                        1. Frost Dates
                                                                        2. Microclimates
                                                                          1. Site-Specific Variations
                                                                            1. Heat Islands
                                                                              1. Cold Pockets
                                                                              2. Sun and Shade Patterns
                                                                                1. Daily Sun Paths
                                                                                  1. Seasonal Variations
                                                                                    1. Shadow Analysis
                                                                                    2. Wind Exposure and Patterns
                                                                                      1. Prevailing Wind Directions
                                                                                        1. Wind Speed Variations
                                                                                          1. Shelter Requirements
                                                                                          2. Precipitation and Humidity
                                                                                            1. Rainfall Patterns
                                                                                              1. Humidity Levels
                                                                                                1. Drought Periods
                                                                                              2. Topography and Hydrology
                                                                                                1. Slope and Aspect Analysis
                                                                                                  1. Gradient Measurements
                                                                                                    1. Orientation Effects
                                                                                                      1. Erosion Potential
                                                                                                      2. Drainage Patterns
                                                                                                        1. Surface Water Flow
                                                                                                          1. Subsurface Drainage
                                                                                                            1. Wet Areas Identification
                                                                                                            2. Water Flow and Erosion
                                                                                                              1. Runoff Patterns
                                                                                                                1. Erosion Risk Areas
                                                                                                                  1. Sediment Deposition
                                                                                                                  2. Flooding and Wet Areas
                                                                                                                    1. Flood Zones
                                                                                                                      1. Seasonal Wetness
                                                                                                                        1. Standing Water Areas
                                                                                                                      2. Soil Analysis
                                                                                                                        1. Soil Type and Texture
                                                                                                                          1. Clay Content
                                                                                                                            1. Sand Content
                                                                                                                              1. Silt Content
                                                                                                                                1. Soil Classification
                                                                                                                                2. Soil pH and Nutrient Levels
                                                                                                                                  1. pH Testing
                                                                                                                                    1. Nutrient Analysis
                                                                                                                                      1. Organic Matter Content
                                                                                                                                        1. Soil Fertility Assessment
                                                                                                                                        2. Soil Structure and Compaction
                                                                                                                                          1. Aggregate Stability
                                                                                                                                            1. Compaction Levels
                                                                                                                                              1. Porosity Assessment
                                                                                                                                                1. Root Penetration Ability
                                                                                                                                                2. Drainage Capacity
                                                                                                                                                  1. Percolation Rates
                                                                                                                                                    1. Water Holding Capacity
                                                                                                                                                      1. Seasonal Water Table
                                                                                                                                                    2. Existing Vegetation and Wildlife
                                                                                                                                                      1. Inventory of Existing Plants
                                                                                                                                                        1. Species Identification
                                                                                                                                                          1. Health Assessment
                                                                                                                                                            1. Size and Condition
                                                                                                                                                              1. Preservation Potential
                                                                                                                                                              2. Identification of Invasive Species
                                                                                                                                                                1. Problem Species
                                                                                                                                                                  1. Distribution Patterns
                                                                                                                                                                    1. Control Requirements
                                                                                                                                                                    2. Wildlife Habitats and Corridors
                                                                                                                                                                      1. Existing Habitats
                                                                                                                                                                        1. Migration Corridors
                                                                                                                                                                          1. Nesting Sites
                                                                                                                                                                            1. Food Sources
                                                                                                                                                                          2. Architectural and Contextual Analysis
                                                                                                                                                                            1. Relationship to Buildings and Structures
                                                                                                                                                                              1. Architectural Styles
                                                                                                                                                                                1. Material Compatibility
                                                                                                                                                                                  1. Scale Relationships
                                                                                                                                                                                  2. Views and Vistas
                                                                                                                                                                                    1. Desirable Views
                                                                                                                                                                                      1. Views to Screen
                                                                                                                                                                                        1. Internal Vistas
                                                                                                                                                                                          1. Borrowed Landscapes
                                                                                                                                                                                          2. Adjacent Land Uses
                                                                                                                                                                                            1. Neighboring Properties
                                                                                                                                                                                              1. Land Use Compatibility
                                                                                                                                                                                                1. Buffer Requirements
                                                                                                                                                                                                2. Access and Circulation Patterns
                                                                                                                                                                                                  1. Pedestrian Circulation
                                                                                                                                                                                                    1. Vehicle Access
                                                                                                                                                                                                      1. Service Access
                                                                                                                                                                                                        1. Emergency Access
                                                                                                                                                                                                    2. Concept Development
                                                                                                                                                                                                      1. Creating a Design Narrative
                                                                                                                                                                                                        1. Storytelling in Design
                                                                                                                                                                                                          1. Conceptual Themes
                                                                                                                                                                                                            1. Narrative Structure
                                                                                                                                                                                                              1. Emotional Connections
                                                                                                                                                                                                              2. Establishing Themes and Motifs
                                                                                                                                                                                                                1. Central Concepts
                                                                                                                                                                                                                  1. Recurring Elements
                                                                                                                                                                                                                    1. Symbolic Meanings
                                                                                                                                                                                                                  2. Bubble Diagrams and Functional Layouts
                                                                                                                                                                                                                    1. Spatial Organization
                                                                                                                                                                                                                      1. Activity Zones
                                                                                                                                                                                                                        1. Circulation Patterns
                                                                                                                                                                                                                          1. Relationship Diagrams
                                                                                                                                                                                                                          2. Zoning of Activities
                                                                                                                                                                                                                            1. Public Spaces
                                                                                                                                                                                                                              1. Private Spaces
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                1. Transition Zones
                                                                                                                                                                                                                              2. Mood Boards and Inspirational Imagery
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                1. Visual References
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  1. Style References
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    1. Plant Imagery
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      1. Atmospheric Qualities
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      2. Color and Texture Palettes
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        1. Color Schemes
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          1. Texture Combinations
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            1. Seasonal Variations
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        2. Schematic Design
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          1. Developing Planting Palettes
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            1. Selection Criteria
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              1. Site Suitability
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                1. Aesthetic Goals
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  1. Functional Requirements
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  2. Diversity and Cohesion
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    1. Species Diversity
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      1. Visual Unity
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        1. Ecological Balance
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      2. Massing and Spatial Arrangement Studies
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        1. Grouping Strategies
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          1. Mass Plantings
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            1. Specimen Placement
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              1. Transition Areas
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              2. Layering Concepts
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                1. Vertical Layers
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  1. Horizontal Drifts
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    1. Interplanting Strategies
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  2. Preliminary Plant Selection
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    1. Shortlisting Species
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      1. Primary Candidates
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        1. Alternative Options
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          1. Backup Selections
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          2. Evaluating Suitability
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            1. Site Compatibility
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              1. Design Compatibility
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                1. Availability Assessment
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            2. Design Development and Documentation
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              1. Creating the Planting Plan
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                1. Plan Graphics and Symbols
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  1. Drawing Standards
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    1. Symbol Libraries
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      1. Graphic Conventions
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      2. Plant Placement and Spacing
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        1. Spacing Calculations
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          1. Growth Projections
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            1. Mature Size Considerations
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          2. Developing Planting Details and Specifications
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            1. Planting Methods
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              1. Installation Techniques
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                1. Root Ball Preparation
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  1. Backfill Specifications
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  2. Soil Preparation Details
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    1. Soil Amendment Requirements
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      1. Drainage Improvements
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        1. Grading Specifications
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        2. Mulching and Edging
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          1. Mulch Types and Depths
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            1. Edging Materials
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              1. Installation Methods
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            2. Preparing Schedules and Cost Estimates
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              1. Plant Schedules
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                1. Species Lists
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  1. Quantities
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    1. Size Specifications
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    2. Quantity Takeoffs
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      1. Plant Counts
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        1. Material Quantities
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          1. Labor Estimates
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          2. Budgeting and Phasing
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            1. Cost Breakdowns
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              1. Phasing Strategies
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                1. Contingency Planning

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                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          1. Foundations of Planting Design

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                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          3. Plant Knowledge and Selection Criteria