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Placing Your Plants
Living trees, shrubs, vines, groundcovers, annuals and
perennials
are usually the most important materials in landscaping.
Their
selection, placement and maintenance are the main criteria
the
layman uses to evaluate landscape work. It is extremely
important, therefore, to select plants that will serve the
function
as dependably as possible. For every landscape need there
are
numerous plants to choose from.
Plant Grouping
Plants are basically used as specimens, in
lines,
in groups or in masses. Each method creates a different
effect.
Most landscapes will use all four types of groupings.
•
Specimen or accent: You can use plants as specimens to
emphasize a character shrub or an unusually interesting tree.
Use sparingly an accent plant can can create interest and
contrast. Flowering trees are commonly used for accents.
Placing a specimen plant or small tree near the homes
entrance
can draw attention to that area.
• Line: Lines of trees, shrubs and other plants can help
carry the
home's architectural lines into the landscape. Straight or
curved
lines of tree plantings can shade parking or play areas or
serve
as a windbreak. Always select hardy, well-adapted plants to
form a line since the visual effect can be spoiled if any of
the
plants become damaged. Also be sure that the same soil,
drainage and sun conditions occur along the entire row since
any of these factors will significantly affect the plant.
• Group: Grouping is a relatively natural way to use plants.
Placing several trees, shrubs, etc. fairly close together
will
create a more massive effect. Since plants are often grouped
naturally, this is a good method to relate your landscape to
the
natural environment.
• Mass: The mass is an extension of group planting. In mass
plantings the individual plants tend to lose identity. Mass
plantings are useful for relating larger buildings to the
site since
these plantings can be large enough to be in scale.
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