Planting Design

  1. Principles of Planting Composition
    1. Creating Spatial Structure
      1. Defining Outdoor Rooms
        1. Enclosure and Openness
          1. Degree of Enclosure
            1. Opening Sizes
              1. Transition Spaces
              2. Transitions Between Spaces
                1. Gradual Transitions
                  1. Abrupt Changes
                    1. Threshold Elements
                  2. Use of Canopy, Understory, and Ground Plane
                    1. Vertical Stratification
                      1. Layer Relationships
                        1. Height Variations
                          1. Density Gradations
                        2. Framing Views and Vistas
                          1. Directing Sightlines
                            1. View Corridors
                              1. Focal Point Emphasis
                                1. Visual Pathways
                                2. Creating Visual Destinations
                                  1. Terminal Features
                                    1. Distant Views
                                      1. Borrowed Landscapes
                                    2. Screening and Privacy
                                      1. Living Screens
                                        1. Evergreen Screens
                                          1. Deciduous Screens
                                            1. Mixed Screens
                                            2. Buffer Plantings
                                              1. Noise Buffers
                                                1. Visual Buffers
                                                  1. Wind Buffers
                                              2. Layering and Massing
                                                1. Vertical Layering
                                                  1. Canopy Layer
                                                    1. Tree Canopy Structure
                                                      1. Canopy Density
                                                        1. Seasonal Variations
                                                        2. Understory Layer
                                                          1. Small Trees
                                                            1. Large Shrubs
                                                              1. Intermediate Heights
                                                              2. Shrub Layer
                                                                1. Medium Shrubs
                                                                  1. Foundation Plantings
                                                                    1. Structural Elements
                                                                    2. Groundcover Layer
                                                                      1. Low Plantings
                                                                        1. Carpet Effects
                                                                          1. Soil Coverage
                                                                        2. Horizontal Drifts and Masses
                                                                          1. Repetition of Masses
                                                                            1. Mass Sizes
                                                                              1. Spacing Patterns
                                                                                1. Visual Rhythm
                                                                                2. Flow and Movement
                                                                                  1. Directional Flow
                                                                                    1. Curved Masses
                                                                                      1. Linear Arrangements
                                                                                    2. Intermingling and Matrix Planting
                                                                                      1. Mixed Plant Communities
                                                                                        1. Species Combinations
                                                                                          1. Natural Associations
                                                                                            1. Ecological Relationships
                                                                                            2. Naturalistic Patterns
                                                                                              1. Random Distributions
                                                                                                1. Organic Arrangements
                                                                                                  1. Spontaneous Effects
                                                                                              2. Designing with Time
                                                                                                1. Seasonal Dynamics and Change
                                                                                                  1. Spring Emergence
                                                                                                    1. Early Growth
                                                                                                      1. Bud Break
                                                                                                        1. Fresh Foliage
                                                                                                        2. Spring Bloom
                                                                                                          1. Flowering Sequences
                                                                                                            1. Bloom Duration
                                                                                                              1. Color Progressions
                                                                                                              2. Summer Foliage
                                                                                                                1. Mature Leaf Development
                                                                                                                  1. Texture Contrasts
                                                                                                                    1. Shade Provision
                                                                                                                    2. Summer Flowering
                                                                                                                      1. Peak Bloom Periods
                                                                                                                        1. Heat-tolerant Bloomers
                                                                                                                          1. Extended Flowering
                                                                                                                          2. Autumn Color
                                                                                                                            1. Fall Foliage Changes
                                                                                                                              1. Color Timing
                                                                                                                                1. Duration of Color
                                                                                                                                2. Autumn Fruiting
                                                                                                                                  1. Fruit Development
                                                                                                                                    1. Wildlife Food Sources
                                                                                                                                      1. Ornamental Value
                                                                                                                                      2. Winter Structure
                                                                                                                                        1. Bare Branch Patterns
                                                                                                                                          1. Evergreen Framework
                                                                                                                                            1. Architectural Elements
                                                                                                                                            2. Winter Interest
                                                                                                                                              1. Bark Features
                                                                                                                                                1. Persistent Fruits
                                                                                                                                                  1. Seed Heads
                                                                                                                                                2. Plant Succession and Maturation
                                                                                                                                                  1. Early Successional Species
                                                                                                                                                    1. Pioneer Plants
                                                                                                                                                      1. Fast Establishment
                                                                                                                                                        1. Temporary Plantings
                                                                                                                                                        2. Long-term Canopy Development
                                                                                                                                                          1. Mature Tree Growth
                                                                                                                                                            1. Canopy Evolution
                                                                                                                                                              1. Understory Changes
                                                                                                                                                            2. Designing for Long-term Growth
                                                                                                                                                              1. Anticipating Mature Size
                                                                                                                                                                1. Growth Projections
                                                                                                                                                                  1. Space Allocation
                                                                                                                                                                    1. Future Maintenance
                                                                                                                                                                    2. Allowing for Change Over Time
                                                                                                                                                                      1. Adaptive Management
                                                                                                                                                                        1. Plant Replacement
                                                                                                                                                                          1. Evolution Acceptance
                                                                                                                                                                      2. Creating Visual Effects
                                                                                                                                                                        1. Repetition and Rhythm
                                                                                                                                                                          1. Repeated Plant Forms
                                                                                                                                                                            1. Form Repetition
                                                                                                                                                                              1. Size Variations
                                                                                                                                                                                1. Spacing Rhythms
                                                                                                                                                                                2. Rhythmic Planting Patterns
                                                                                                                                                                                  1. Regular Intervals
                                                                                                                                                                                    1. Progressive Changes
                                                                                                                                                                                      1. Beat and Tempo
                                                                                                                                                                                    2. Contrast and Harmony
                                                                                                                                                                                      1. Contrasting Textures
                                                                                                                                                                                        1. Coarse vs Fine
                                                                                                                                                                                          1. Smooth vs Rough
                                                                                                                                                                                            1. Bold vs Delicate
                                                                                                                                                                                            2. Harmonious Color Schemes
                                                                                                                                                                                              1. Tonal Variations
                                                                                                                                                                                                1. Subtle Gradations
                                                                                                                                                                                              2. Creating Focal Points
                                                                                                                                                                                                1. Specimen Plants
                                                                                                                                                                                                  1. Unique Characteristics
                                                                                                                                                                                                    1. Strategic Placement
                                                                                                                                                                                                      1. Seasonal Interest
                                                                                                                                                                                                      2. Sculptural Elements
                                                                                                                                                                                                        1. Architectural Forms
                                                                                                                                                                                                          1. Unusual Shapes
                                                                                                                                                                                                            1. Dramatic Features
                                                                                                                                                                                                          2. Guiding Movement and Circulation
                                                                                                                                                                                                            1. Directing Foot Traffic
                                                                                                                                                                                                              1. Path Definition
                                                                                                                                                                                                                1. Directional Cues
                                                                                                                                                                                                                  1. Destination Emphasis
                                                                                                                                                                                                                  2. Visual Pathways
                                                                                                                                                                                                                    1. Sight Line Management
                                                                                                                                                                                                                      1. Sequential Views
                                                                                                                                                                                                                        1. Journey Experience

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                                                                                                                                                                                                                  3. Plant Knowledge and Selection Criteria

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                                                                                                                                                                                                                  5. Ecological and Sustainable Planting Strategies