Planting Design

Planting design is the art and science of selecting and arranging plant materials, a core component of landscape architecture that uses living elements to shape outdoor space. This discipline involves composing trees, shrubs, perennials, and other flora based on their aesthetic qualities—such as color, form, and texture—as well as their functional roles in providing shade, screening views, managing water, and creating habitat. A successful planting plan considers horticultural requirements and ecological principles to ensure sustainability, while also orchestrating a dynamic composition that evolves with seasonal changes and plant growth over time, ultimately defining the character and experience of the landscape.

1. Foundations of Planting Design
   1. Defining Planting Design
      1. Definition and Scope
      2. Distinction Between Art and Science
         1. Aesthetic Considerations
         2. Ecological Considerations
         3. Functional Considerations
         4. Integration of Multiple Approaches
      3. Role in Landscape Architecture
      4. Role in Garden Design
      5. Role in Urban Planning
      6. Relationship to Other Design Disciplines
         1. Architecture
         2. Interior Design
         3. Environmental Design
         4. Horticulture
   2. Historical Perspectives
      1. Ancient Planting Traditions
         1. Egyptian Gardens
            1. Sacred Garden Symbolism
            2. Irrigation and Water Features
            3. Plant Selection and Layout
         2. Persian Gardens
            1. Four-Part Garden Structure
            2. Paradise Garden Concept
            3. Water Channel Systems
         3. Classical Greek and Roman Gardens
            1. Peristyle Gardens
            2. Villa Gardens
            3. Sacred Groves
      2. Medieval and Renaissance Planting
         1. Monastic Gardens
            1. Herb Gardens
            2. Cloister Gardens
            3. Kitchen Gardens
         2. Italian Renaissance Gardens
            1. Villa Gardens
            2. Terraced Landscapes
            3. Geometric Patterns
            4. Integration with Architecture
      3. Baroque and Formal Traditions
         1. French Formal Gardens
            1. Parterre Design
            2. Bosquet Development
            3. Axial Compositions
         2. English Landscape Gardens
            1. Naturalistic Movement
            2. Capability Brown's Influence
            3. Picturesque Theory
      4. 19th and 20th Century Movements
         1. Arts and Crafts Movement
            1. Gertrude Jekyll's Contributions
            2. Herbaceous Border Development
            3. Color Theory Applications
         2. Prairie Style
            1. Jens Jensen's Work
            2. Native Plant Emphasis
            3. Regional Identity
         3. Modernist Planting
            1. Minimalist Approaches
            2. Architectural Integration
            3. Abstract Compositions
      5. Contemporary Trends
         1. Ecological Planting
            1. Ecosystem Services
            2. Biodiversity Enhancement
            3. Climate Adaptation
         2. Naturalistic Planting
            1. New Perennial Movement
            2. Matrix Planting
            3. Seasonal Dynamics
         3. Sustainable Design
            1. Low-Maintenance Approaches
            2. Resource Conservation
            3. Resilient Landscapes
      6. Influential Designers and Their Contributions
         1. Gertrude Jekyll
            1. Color Theory in Planting
            2. Herbaceous Border Design
            3. Plant Combinations
         2. Piet Oudolf
            1. New Perennial Movement
            2. Naturalistic Design
            3. Seasonal Structure
         3. Roberto Burle Marx
            1. Tropical Modernism
            2. Abstract Plant Compositions
            3. Native Plant Advocacy
         4. James van Sweden and Wolfgang Oehme
            1. New American Garden Style
            2. Ornamental Grass Usage
            3. Bold Massing Techniques
         5. Beth Chatto
            1. Right Plant, Right Place Philosophy
            2. Dry Garden Innovations
            3. Ecological Gardening
   3. Core Principles of Planting Design
      1. Unity and Harmony
         1. Visual Cohesion
            1. Consistent Plant Palettes
            2. Repeated Elements
            3. Thematic Continuity
         2. Thematic Consistency
            1. Style Coherence
            2. Cultural Appropriateness
            3. Contextual Sensitivity
      2. Balance
         1. Symmetrical Balance
            1. Formal Arrangements
            2. Mirror Compositions
            3. Classical Layouts
         2. Asymmetrical Balance
            1. Dynamic Compositions
            2. Visual Weight Distribution
            3. Informal Arrangements
      3. Proportion and Scale
         1. Human Scale
            1. Comfortable Proportions
            2. Accessibility Considerations
            3. Viewing Distances
         2. Plant-to-Plant Proportion
            1. Size Relationships
            2. Mass Proportions
            3. Height Variations
         3. Plant-to-Space Proportion
            1. Spatial Relationships
            2. Enclosure Ratios
            3. Open Space Balance
      4. Rhythm and Repetition
         1. Repeated Elements
            1. Plant Species Repetition
            2. Form Repetition
            3. Color Repetition
         2. Patterns and Sequences
            1. Linear Patterns
            2. Rhythmic Spacing
            3. Progressive Sequences
      5. Emphasis and Focal Points
         1. Creating Visual Interest
            1. Contrast Techniques
            2. Surprise Elements
            3. Seasonal Highlights
         2. Use of Specimen Plants
            1. Sculptural Forms
            2. Unique Characteristics
            3. Strategic Placement
         3. Placement of Features
            1. Sightline Considerations
            2. Compositional Balance
            3. Accessibility Factors