This document discusses elements of landscape architecture, including typology of plants. It begins by defining landscaping and noting the living, natural, and human elements that can modify land areas. It then discusses types of natural and manmade materials used in landscaping. The document outlines various plant types like trees, shrubs, and climbers and discusses their architectural, environmental, and aesthetic uses. It provides a detailed typology of plants according to physical appearance, form, texture, size, color, and other characteristics. It discusses the importance of landscape in urban design, the environment, and the economy. Overall, the document provides a comprehensive overview of plant selection and use in landscape architecture.

1. Theory of Landscape Architecture :
Elements of landscape architecture – Part 1
Typology of plants for landscape architecture
Visual and Physical role of plants in
architecture
BACH 505:LANDSCAPE ARCHITECTURE
Ar.Shruti.H.Kapur

2. What is landscaping?
 Landscaping refers to any
activity that modifies the
visible features of an area
of land, including:
1. Living elements flora or
fauna.
2. Natural elements
such as landforms, terrain
shape and elevation, or
bodies of water;
3. Human elements
such as structures,
buildings, fences or other
material objects created
and/or installed by humans;
and
4. Abstract elements
such as the weather and
lighting conditions.

3. landscapedesign

Natural

Manmade
Natural Plants/vegetation
Water
Earth forms/landforms
Rocks
Stone
Manmade Brick Wood
Plastic Glass

4. landscapedesign
 There are many varieties of plant
materials such as:
• Trees
• Shrubs
• Creepers and climbers Land covers
.etc.
Architectural
1. Enframement
2. Scale induction
3. Creation of plaza
4. Defines pathway
5. Welcoming look and
aesthetic appeal to the
building

USES:
Environmental
1. Microclimatemodifiers
2. Conservationbelt
3. Erosion control
4. Retains ground water
5. Retains soil fertility
6. Preventssiltation

5. landscape- Plants
 Plants create outdoor
rooms. Trees, shrubs,
and ground covers can
be used to emphasize
the desirable
architectural lines and
masses.
 Plants can be used to
soften and balance
harsh and awkward
architectural masses and
Angles,materials.

6.  Allowingaccessto andexperience of nature.
 Influencinghumanphysicalandpsychologicalhealth andwell being.
 Providespaceandfacilitiesfor leisureand recreation.
 Improvethe legibilityofthe cityor neighborhood.
 Facilitatingsocial contact.
 Establishingasenseof place.
The Importance of Landscape inUrban Design

7. The Importance of Landscape inEnvironment
 Plantsprotect water quality.
 Proper landscapingreduces soil erosion.
 Plantsimproveair quality.
 Landscapefor nation identity.
 Landscapingconservesnatural resources.
 NoiseandGlare Reduction.

8. The Importance of Landscape in Economic
 Plantsincreasetourism revenues.
 Landscapingincreasesproperty market value.
 Horticulture andlandscapingindustry offer job opportunities.
 Nature increasesworker productivity.
 Landscapingreduces crime.
 Viewsofplants increasejob satisfaction.

9. Typology of plants

10. Typology of plants
According to:-
 Physicalappearance:-Form,Texture, Size&Color
 LifeSpan
 Growth Habit
 Climaticadaption
 Water requirement
 FunctionalUse
 Aesthetic&Detail

11. Physical appearance
 Physical characteristics are the outward appearance of organisms.
 These can be inherited (come from the parents) or acquired (changed
during the life of the organism.)
 Texture, form, size, and color are the physical characteristics of plants that
provide interest, variety, and aesthetic appeal to a landscape.
 Physical characteristics give each plant a distinct look and personality.
 Some plants are extroverts—loud, boisterous, and energetic attention- getters—
while other plants are introverts—quiet, calm, and content to be in the
background.
 A good mix of plant personalities creates an interesting and appealing garden.
 Some plants may have more value as a visual element in the landscape based on
their physical characteristics.
 Although color usually attracts the most attention, form and texture are more
enduring, and they are the characteristics used most often to identify and classify
plants. Common plant forms are well established and standardized; most people
first recognize a plant by its form.

12. Form
Plant forms can be divided into three groups—trees, shrubs, and
groundcover.
Tree Forms
Tree forms are often dominant in the garden because of their size. Trees are also the
most functional plants in the landscape, providing shade and blocking views, so
when choosing a tree form, consider function first. Creating a shady area in the
garden requires a round or oval tree, while a screen usually requires a more
columnar or pyramidal form, and a weeping tree form makes a good focal point. It is
also important to ensure the tree will not outgrow the space and require severe
pruning. Choose the tree for its mature size and shape in relation to the space.
Common tree forms include vase, columnar, round, weeping, and pyramidal .

13. Shrub Forms
 Shrubs have a variety of forms, so it is important to consider how shrubs will
look when massed together. Mounding and spreading shrubs look best in a mass,
while cascading and spiky forms work well for individual specimen plants.
Shrub forms include arching, irregular, cascading, upright, spiky, rounded,
mounding, and vase shaped.

14. Groundcover Forms
 Groundcover or bedding plants tend to have the most complex forms, but they
typically look better in masses because they are often small and have little
impact as individual plants. Masses of groundcover plants usually lose
individual form and look like one plant, so it's important to consider how plants
will look as a mass. Groundcover forms include clumping, matting, sprawling,
short spikes, and spreading .

15. Properties of Form
 Forms that have high visual weight include columnar and weeping. Round and
vase shapes have medium weight. Horizontal forms, such as spreading and
sprawling, have low visual weight.
 Tall, vertical forms draw the eye upward and add height to a space; low,
horizontal forms pull the eye along the horizon and add width to a space.
 Plant forms can also create and define the open spaces between the plants. For
example, high arching tree branches typically create an open space under the
branches for a roomlike feel. A round canopy with low branches fills the space
under the tree and closes the space.
 Vertical forms tend to be dominant; therefore, several vertical forms clustered
together must be balanced by a greater quantity of horizontal forms, which act as
the link to tie the vertical forms together.
Avariety ofplant forms in a container

16. Texture
Texture refers to how coarse or fine
the overall surface and individual
leaves of the plant feel or look
(perceived visual texture). Like form,
a variety of textures provides interest
and contrast in the landscape. Texture
can be found in the foliage, flowers,
blades, and bark of the plant, as well
as in the plant's overall branching
pattern. The size and shape of the
leaves most often determines the
perceived texture of the plant. A plant
can generally be described as having a
coarse, medium, or fine texture.
Coarse texture is more dominant than
fine and tends to stand out
individually, while fine texture is more
subordinate and tends to unify
compositions.

17. Properties ofTexture
 Coarse textures have high visual weight, and fine textures have low visual
weight. Figures 11 and 12 show the contrast between a visually dominant
landscape with all coarse texture and a less visually strong landscape with all
fine texture.
 High color contrast can highlight texture contrast and make plants appear to have
coarser texture.
 The texture of a plant can depend on its surroundings. A medium-textured plant
can look coarse when surrounded by fine-textured plants or fine when
surrounded by coarse- textured plants.
 Texture affects the perception of distance and scale.To make a space feel larger,
locate plants so that the fine textures are along the outer perimeter, the medium
textures are in the middle, and the coarse textures are closest to the viewer
Avisuallydominant landscapewith coarse textures

18. Aspacefeelslarger with fine
textures on the perimeter.
Aspacefeelssmaller with coarse
textures on the perimeter.

19. Strategies for UsingTexture
Following are several strategies for using texture effectively in the landscape:
Mix textures for a balance of all three—coarse, medium, and fine.
Use all of the same texture (monotexture) if you want to emphasize the form or
color of
the plants.
Choose one texture as the dominant texture; add just a few plants of the other
texture for
specimen plants and contrast. Use the dominant texture throughout the composition.
Use texture and color together to emphasize plants.

20. Size
Size refers to the overall height and width of the plant and its relative size or scale
when compared to other plants, structures, and spaces in the yard. Plants are most
often sized by height. Large plants are trees and shrubs that grow 4–6 ft. or higher at
mature size. Medium plants, typically shrubs, range from 2–4 ft. in height. Small
plants, typically groundcover and bedding plants, are 2 ft. tall or shorter. Plant size is
closely related to form. Columnar, pyramidal, and upright plants are narrow and
occupy less horizontal space, while sprawling, arching, and mounding plants tend to
use less vertical space. Locations that require consideration of size include overhead
utility lines, underground water and electrical (no large trees), building height,
windows and doors, and architectural features, such as arbors and archways. Spaces
that require size consideration include planters, plant beds, and containers,
particularly next to the walkway and house.
Choosethe right sizefor planters and walkways.

21. Color
Color is the characteristic that most people notice first in a landscape, and it is also the
characteristic by which most people select plants. However, designs based on color
often fail because color is fleeting. Choosing a color theme requires an understanding
of the properties of color and the basics of color theory. A color theme is the overall color
pattern of the entire landscape. For example, an analogous theme is made up of colors adjacent
to each other on the color wheel and might include the colors from yellow to red. This means
there are many considerations when choosing individual plants to stay true to the red to yellow
palette. This is true for all the various color themes used in the landscape.
Manytropical plantshavecolor in thefoliage
andflower.

22. Monochromatic color
scheme with variations
of violet
Complementary
color scheme
with orange
and blue

28.  Aesthetics or curb appeal tends to be the most notable quality of a landscape.The
success or failure of a landscape is often judged on the visual quality of the plants.
 All plants will take up space, some more so than others.To ensure the integrity of
the planting we must plan accordingly and identify the amount of space we want
or will allow the plants to cover.
 The size of the available space influences the type of plant we select. Each plant
type sparks an image, some large, some small.
 ―Shade tree‖ implies large canopy; ―evergreen tree‖ usually suggests
dense foliage and a conical shape; an ornamental/flowering tree could be a
small, delicate threadleaf Japanese maple or a wide-spreading crabapple.
 Shrubs offer a diverse array of sizes from dwarf barberries to massive viburnums.
 Ornamental grasses and perennials offer seasonal changes in color and texture as
well as in size. ―Ground cover‖ implies a carpet-like growth habit.
Aesthetics

29. landscape design-Plants
Bygraduating plant sizesawayfrom the house, the apparent sizeofthestructure
isincreased.
Plants that reach large sizes at maturity are often planted too
closely to the house when small.When mature, they dominate
and make the house look smaller
Tall evergreen create an uninviting, inhibiting appearance
to this entrance.
The human eye has a tendency to
follow the outline of the objects in
the landscape.
With this idea in mind the
apparent
size in affected.

30. landscape design-Plants

Creating outdoor rooms
Asmallsideyard developedinto an intimate
strollinggarden.
• The development of outdoor
rooms utilizes the same
elements as indoor
architecture-floors, walls, and
ceilings.
• The difference is that the
elements of outdoor rooms
are composed of plant
materials that have a
changing and dynamic,
living quality.

31. landscape design-Plants
Outwardly focused space
Inwardly focused space
Inwardly oriented
space is characterized
by either complete or
nearly complete
enclosure and a strong
central focal point.
Central areas for
sitting, sculpture
displays, patios, and
hot tubs require
enclosure for purpose
of privacy, quit, and
concentration.
Outwardly oriented rooms
are enhanced by amenities
outside the space such as
good views and breezes.
Activities taking place
within the front yard are
more public in nature and
will require free visual
access on and off the site
and little enclosure.
Planting beds and walks act as a
breezeway between driveway and
entrance courtyard.
Various plant types, heights,
and combinations create
walls, partial screens, and
overhead canopies

32. landscape design-Plants
Environmental role
• Pollution control
• Noisecontrol
• Climate control
embankments., deciduousandevergreenplantingsand masonry
wallsareusedtogether for effectivesound control.
Useofwindbreaksto control winter winds
Use of deciduous plants to direct summer
breezes

33. landscape- Plants
Shrubs
Creepers
Climbers
Coveredpathways

34. GROUNDCOVERS TREES
landscape- Plants

35. ELEMENTS OF LANDSCAPE- PLANTS

36. THE 5 ELEMENTS OF LANDSCAPE DESIGN INCLUDE:
• Color –
It is important to use a complementing color scheme throughout the yard. Sometimes Contrast can create
some interest and excitement.
• Direction or Line –
Linear patterns are used to direct physical movement and to draw attention to areas in your garden.
• Form – Form can be expressed through built objects or trees and shrubs of various shapes and sizes
which create natural patterns.
• Texture – Paving and building materials along with plants with varying textures can add to the atmosphere
of your outdoor area.
• Scale – Your outdoor design should balance the size of the buildings or established plants it surrounds,
while maintaining a comfortable human environment for the individuals who will use the area.
ADVANCED ELEMENTS OF LANDSCAPE
 Water features
 Stone
 Shelters
 Sitting
 Fencing
 Sculptures
 Lightning
 Other Elements
STONE:
Stones are hard, impermeable inorganic elements used extensively in
landscape architecture. Stones are basically used for the following:
•Paving
•Retaining walls
•Stacked stone wall
•Sitting
•Shelters
The surfaces of pathways or patios that lead to, or are under structures,
can be just as important as the structure itself, and should tie into the
total design….These pictures illustrate using stone that was already on
the site
Water Features;

37. Shelters
SEATING
Seating should be sited so as to:
• Be sheltered from wind
• Take advantage of site views
• Be situated back of circulation paths
• Provide a variety of options for pedestrians such
as…
sunlight, shade, multitude, activity, formality,
informality etc.
•They include benches, stools, ledges, seat walls,
steps etc.
Paving :
Paving is the method of creating durable surfaces laid down on an area intended to
sustain traffic (vehicular or foot traffic). The most common modern paving methods are
stone and concrete. In the past, brick was extensively used. Today, permeable paving
methods are beginning to be used more for low-impact roadways and walkways.
changes of grade must be accomplished with least disturbance
RETAINING WALLS
They are used to create relatively level areas at
different
elevations, where changes in elevation can’t be
accomplished by grading because of limited horizontal
distances or where
to topography.
Used as a
 Bench wall,
 Base for a fence,
 An accent
element in the
landscape.
SEATING
Seating should be sited so as to:
• Be sheltered from wind
• Take advantage of site views
• Be situated back of circulation paths
• Provide a variety of options for pedestrians such as…
sunlight, shade, multitude, activity, formality,
informality etc.
•They include benches, stools, ledges, seat
walls,
steps etc.
BENCHES
Benches, in the cityscape, are a focus of activity and
welcome relief for those who wish to sit and relax or simply
pass their time between various activities.

38. ELEMENTS OF LANDSCAPE-
LANDFORM

39. ELEMENTS OF LANDSCAPE- LANDFORM

40. ELEMENTS OF LANDSCAPE- LANDFORM

41. Water flows inevitably, from the
source to the
receiving ocean basin.
USES:
•Excellent land water interface gives
an ecological home for the animals
and plants.
•Water runoff reduced.
•Hydrological cycle maintained.
ELEMENTS OF LANDSCAPE- water

42. • Microclimate created.
• Moisture level maintained.
• Wetland, marshes, swampy areas are
conserved.
• Maintaining vegetation into wetlands.
• Site aesthetics are enhanced

43. ELEMENTS OF LANDSCAPE- WATER
Water is also another most important landscape
element.
Water bodies improve the quality and the worth of
the site.it makes the site attractive. There are
many types of water bodies :
1.Fountains
2.Pools
3.Ponds
4.Spouts
5.Artificial waterfalls. etc.
A d d s o u n d , m o v e m e n t ,a n d
e n j o y m e n t
i n t o t h e l a n d s c a p e .

44. ELEMENTS OF
LANDSCAPE- LANDFORM
SLOPED LANDFORM
BLOCKS VIEWS &
CREATES SPATIAL
EDGES.
LEVEL LANDFORM
DOES THE OPPOSITE.

45. ELEMENTS OF LANDSCAPE- LANDFORM

46. ELEMENTS OF LANDSCAPE- LANDFORM

47. ELEMENTS OF LANDSCAPE- TIMBER

48. ELEMENTS OF LANDSCAPE- TIMBER

49. ELEMENTS OF LANDSCAPE- STONE

50. ELEMENTS OF LANDSCAPE- STONE

51. ELEMENTS OF LANDSCAPE- BRICK

52. THANK YOU