Planting Design

  1. Plant Knowledge and Selection Criteria
    1. Plant Classification and Nomenclature
      1. Botanical Names
        1. Binomial Nomenclature
          1. Taxonomic Hierarchy
            1. Naming Conventions
            2. Common Names
              1. Regional Variations
                1. Cultural Names
                  1. Standardized Common Names
                  2. Genus, Species, and Cultivar
                    1. Genus Characteristics
                      1. Species Distinctions
                        1. Cultivar Development
                          1. Hybrid Classifications
                          2. Plant Family Characteristics
                            1. Family Traits
                              1. Identification Features
                                1. Horticultural Significance
                              2. Plant Types and Functions
                                1. Trees
                                  1. Canopy Trees
                                    1. Large Shade Trees
                                      1. Forest Canopy Species
                                        1. Urban Canopy Trees
                                        2. Shade Trees
                                          1. Dense Canopy Types
                                            1. Filtered Shade Providers
                                              1. Seasonal Shade Variations
                                              2. Understory Trees
                                                1. Small Flowering Trees
                                                  1. Multi-stem Trees
                                                    1. Woodland Species
                                                    2. Ornamental Trees
                                                      1. Flowering Trees
                                                        1. Fruiting Trees
                                                          1. Foliage Trees
                                                          2. Evergreen Trees
                                                            1. Coniferous Trees
                                                              1. Broadleaf Evergreens
                                                                1. Needle-bearing Species
                                                                2. Deciduous Trees
                                                                  1. Spring Flowering
                                                                    1. Fall Color Trees
                                                                      1. Winter Interest Trees
                                                                    2. Shrubs
                                                                      1. Foundation Plantings
                                                                        1. Low-growing Shrubs
                                                                          1. Medium-height Shrubs
                                                                            1. Architectural Compatibility
                                                                            2. Hedges
                                                                              1. Formal Hedges
                                                                                1. Informal Hedges
                                                                                  1. Screening Hedges
                                                                                  2. Screens
                                                                                    1. Privacy Screens
                                                                                      1. Wind Screens
                                                                                        1. Visual Barriers
                                                                                        2. Specimen Shrubs
                                                                                          1. Flowering Specimens
                                                                                            1. Foliage Specimens
                                                                                              1. Architectural Forms
                                                                                              2. Evergreen Shrubs
                                                                                                1. Needle Evergreens
                                                                                                  1. Broadleaf Evergreens
                                                                                                    1. Year-round Structure
                                                                                                    2. Deciduous Shrubs
                                                                                                      1. Spring Bloomers
                                                                                                        1. Summer Bloomers
                                                                                                          1. Fall Color Shrubs
                                                                                                        2. Perennials and Herbaceous Plants
                                                                                                          1. Flowering Perennials
                                                                                                            1. Spring Perennials
                                                                                                              1. Summer Perennials
                                                                                                                1. Fall Perennials
                                                                                                                  1. Long-blooming Varieties
                                                                                                                  2. Ornamental Grasses
                                                                                                                    1. Cool-season Grasses
                                                                                                                      1. Warm-season Grasses
                                                                                                                        1. Clumping Grasses
                                                                                                                          1. Running Grasses
                                                                                                                          2. Sedges and Rushes
                                                                                                                            1. Moisture-loving Sedges
                                                                                                                              1. Dry-tolerant Sedges
                                                                                                                                1. Ornamental Rushes
                                                                                                                                2. Ferns
                                                                                                                                  1. Woodland Ferns
                                                                                                                                    1. Moisture-loving Ferns
                                                                                                                                      1. Architectural Ferns
                                                                                                                                      2. Groundcovers
                                                                                                                                        1. Spreading Groundcovers
                                                                                                                                          1. Clumping Groundcovers
                                                                                                                                            1. Flowering Groundcovers
                                                                                                                                              1. Evergreen Groundcovers
                                                                                                                                            2. Vines and Climbers
                                                                                                                                              1. Self-clinging Vines
                                                                                                                                                1. Adhesive Disk Climbers
                                                                                                                                                  1. Aerial Root Climbers
                                                                                                                                                    1. Tendril Climbers
                                                                                                                                                    2. Twining Vines
                                                                                                                                                      1. Stem Twiners
                                                                                                                                                        1. Leaf Twiners
                                                                                                                                                          1. Support Requirements
                                                                                                                                                          2. Climbing Roses
                                                                                                                                                            1. Large-flowered Climbers
                                                                                                                                                              1. Rambling Roses
                                                                                                                                                                1. Pillar Roses
                                                                                                                                                              2. Bulbs, Corms, and Tubers
                                                                                                                                                                1. Spring-flowering Bulbs
                                                                                                                                                                  1. Early Spring Bulbs
                                                                                                                                                                    1. Mid-spring Bulbs
                                                                                                                                                                      1. Late Spring Bulbs
                                                                                                                                                                      2. Summer-flowering Bulbs
                                                                                                                                                                        1. Heat-loving Bulbs
                                                                                                                                                                          1. Moisture-loving Bulbs
                                                                                                                                                                            1. Shade-tolerant Bulbs
                                                                                                                                                                            2. Fall-flowering Bulbs
                                                                                                                                                                              1. Autumn Crocuses
                                                                                                                                                                                1. Fall-planted Bulbs
                                                                                                                                                                                  1. Naturalized Bulbs
                                                                                                                                                                                2. Annuals and Biennials
                                                                                                                                                                                  1. Bedding Plants
                                                                                                                                                                                    1. Cool-season Annuals
                                                                                                                                                                                      1. Warm-season Annuals
                                                                                                                                                                                        1. Continuous Bloomers
                                                                                                                                                                                        2. Seasonal Displays
                                                                                                                                                                                          1. Spring Displays
                                                                                                                                                                                            1. Summer Displays
                                                                                                                                                                                              1. Fall Displays
                                                                                                                                                                                          2. Aesthetic Characteristics of Plants
                                                                                                                                                                                            1. Form and Habit
                                                                                                                                                                                              1. Columnar
                                                                                                                                                                                                1. Narrow Upright Forms
                                                                                                                                                                                                  1. Fastigiate Growth
                                                                                                                                                                                                    1. Vertical Emphasis
                                                                                                                                                                                                    2. Spreading
                                                                                                                                                                                                      1. Horizontal Growth
                                                                                                                                                                                                        1. Wide Canopies
                                                                                                                                                                                                          1. Ground-hugging Forms
                                                                                                                                                                                                          2. Weeping
                                                                                                                                                                                                            1. Pendulous Branches
                                                                                                                                                                                                              1. Cascading Forms
                                                                                                                                                                                                                1. Graceful Habits
                                                                                                                                                                                                                2. Rounded
                                                                                                                                                                                                                  1. Globe-shaped Forms
                                                                                                                                                                                                                    1. Mounded Habits
                                                                                                                                                                                                                      1. Symmetrical Growth
                                                                                                                                                                                                                      2. Upright
                                                                                                                                                                                                                        1. Vertical Growth
                                                                                                                                                                                                                          1. Erect Habits
                                                                                                                                                                                                                            1. Architectural Forms
                                                                                                                                                                                                                            2. Mounding
                                                                                                                                                                                                                              1. Low Mounded Forms
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                1. Cushion-like Growth
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  1. Soft Outlines
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                2. Texture
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  1. Coarse Texture
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    1. Large Leaves
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      1. Bold Features
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        1. Strong Visual Impact
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        2. Medium Texture
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          1. Moderate Leaf Size
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            1. Balanced Features
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              1. Versatile Applications
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              2. Fine Texture
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                1. Small Leaves
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  1. Delicate Features
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    1. Refined Appearance
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    2. Foliage Texture
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      1. Leaf Surface Quality
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        1. Leaf Shape Effects
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          1. Seasonal Changes
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          2. Bark Texture
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            1. Smooth Bark
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              1. Rough Bark
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                1. Exfoliating Bark
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                2. Flower Texture
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  1. Flower Size
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    1. Flower Form
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      1. Cluster Arrangements
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    2. Color Theory in the Garden
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      1. Principles of Color Theory
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        1. Color Wheel Applications
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          1. Primary Colors
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            1. Secondary Colors
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              1. Tertiary Colors
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              2. Seasonal Color Interest
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                1. Spring Color
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  1. Summer Color
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    1. Autumn Color
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      1. Winter Color
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      2. Foliage Color
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        1. Green Variations
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          1. Variegated Foliage
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            1. Colored Foliage
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              1. Seasonal Changes
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              2. Flower Color
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                1. Single Colors
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  1. Bicolored Flowers
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    1. Color Progressions
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      1. Bloom Timing
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      2. Bark and Stem Color
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        1. Colorful Bark
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          1. Stem Colors
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            1. Winter Interest
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            2. Color Harmonies
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              1. Monochromatic Schemes
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                1. Analogous Schemes
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  1. Complementary Schemes
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    1. Triadic Schemes
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    2. Color Contrasts
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      1. High Contrast
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        1. Subtle Contrast
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          1. Temperature Contrasts
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        2. Light and Shadow Effects
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          1. Dappled Shade
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            1. Filtered Light
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              1. Moving Shadows
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                1. Light Quality
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                2. Backlighting
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  1. Translucent Effects
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    1. Rim Lighting
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      1. Dramatic Effects
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      2. Silhouetting
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        1. Dark Outlines
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          1. Form Emphasis
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            1. Contrast Effects
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        2. Horticultural and Ecological Criteria
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          1. Site Suitability
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            1. Matching Plant to Site Conditions
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              1. Environmental Matching
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                1. Stress Tolerance
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  1. Adaptation Potential
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                2. Growth Rate
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  1. Fast-growing Species
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    1. Moderate Growth
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      1. Slow-growing Species
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        1. Growth Pattern Variations
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        2. Mature Size
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          1. Height Projections
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            1. Spread Projections
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              1. Size Management
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              2. Water Requirements
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                1. Drought Tolerance
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  1. Xerophytic Adaptations
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    1. Water Storage Mechanisms
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      1. Drought Survival Strategies
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      2. Moisture Needs
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        1. Consistent Moisture
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          1. Seasonal Water Needs
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            1. Irrigation Requirements
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          2. Light Requirements
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            1. Full Sun
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              1. High Light Needs
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                1. Heat Tolerance
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  1. Sun Adaptations
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  2. Partial Shade
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    1. Filtered Light
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      1. Morning Sun
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        1. Afternoon Shade
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        2. Full Shade
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          1. Low Light Tolerance
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            1. Shade Adaptations
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              1. Deep Shade Conditions
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            2. Soil Preferences
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              1. pH Tolerance
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                1. Acid-loving Plants
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  1. Alkaline-tolerant Plants
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    1. pH Adaptability
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    2. Drainage Needs
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      1. Well-drained Soils
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        1. Moisture-retentive Soils
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          1. Wet Soil Tolerance
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        2. Pest and Disease Resistance
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          1. Natural Resistance
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            1. Susceptible Species
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              1. Integrated Management
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              2. Maintenance Needs
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                1. Pruning Requirements
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  1. Pruning Frequency
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    1. Pruning Techniques
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      1. Timing Considerations
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      2. Deadheading and Cleanup
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        1. Flower Removal
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          1. Leaf Cleanup
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            1. Seasonal Maintenance
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          2. Wildlife Value
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            1. Attracting Pollinators
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              1. Bee Plants
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                1. Butterfly Plants
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  1. Hummingbird Plants
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  2. Providing Habitat
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    1. Nesting Sites
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      1. Food Sources
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        1. Shelter Provision

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                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  Go to top

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                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  4. Principles of Planting Composition