Plant material in landscape

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PLANT
MATERIAL
SITE PLANNING
AND
LANDSCAPING
RAHAT SINGLA 2015UAR1092
RAJESH KANAUJIA 2015UAR1523
SHRUTI YADAV 2015UAR1719
VIDUSHI KASANA 2015UAR1779

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TOPICS TO
BE
COVERED
1. CLASSIFICATION OF PLANT MATERIAL
2. ROLE OF VEGETATION IN LANDSCAPE
DESIGN
3. DESIGN CRITERIA
4. PROCESS OF PLANTING AND
TRANSPLANTING

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1. CLASSIFICATION OF PLANT MATERIAL
PLANT
MATERIAL
HERBS SHRUBS TREES
CLIMBERS
AND
CREEPERS
If we consider plants, based on their height some are too short while some
are too tall to climb. Besides the height, stem thickness, delicacy also varies.
Hence, on the basis of their growth habits they are classified as follows
ON THE BASIS OF GROWTH HABITS

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HERBS
Starting from the smallest, herb is a
short plant with green, delicate stem
without the woody tissues.
Generally, they have few branches
or branchless.
 These can be easily uprooted from
the soil.
They contain enough nutritional
benefits and vitamins to make it a part
of the diet. Tomato, wheat, grass are
few examples of herbs.

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SHRUBS
 woody plant with several perennial
stems that may be erect or may lay
close to the ground.
 usually have a height less than 13
feet and stems no more than about
three inches in diameter
 stems are hard, flexible but not
fragile.
 can be deciduous or evergreen
ROSE PLANT
HIBISCUS PLANT

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TREES
 Trees are big, tall and strong
plants. They have a thick, brown
and woody stem called trunk.
 They have many branches that
bear leaves, flowers and fruits.
 Their roots are thick and strong
 Trees usually live for many years.
NEEM TREE
BANYAN TREE

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CLIMBERS AND
CREEPERS
 Climbers and creepers is a group of
plants or vines which need support.
 Climbers and creepers grow
vertically in the garden, they are
great space savers and can be used
to provide masses of foliage.
 They are used to cover walls
 They provide great privacy but they
do need a bit of attention and care.
COBAEA SCANDENS
PARTHENOCISSUS HENRYANA

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CLASSIFICATION OF PLANT MATERIAL
ON THE BASIS OF PATTERN AND SEASONALITY GROWTH
PLANT
MATERIAL
EVERGREEN DECIDUOUS

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DECIDUOUS TREES
 Deciduous refer to trees, which seasonally shed their
unnecessary parts especially the leaves from their structure.
 Deciduous trees are adapted to tolerate the cold and dry
weather conditions by shedding their leaves seasonally.
 Majority of the trees shed their foliage at the end of their
typical growing season.
MAPLE TREE
BIRCH TREE

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EVERGREEN TREES
 Evergreen tree’s foliage persists
throughout the year.
 No seasonal leaf shedding, they
shed their old leaves throughout
the year.
 Favored in warm temperate
climatic conditions
EUCALYPTUS TREE
HEMLOCK TREE

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2. ROLE OF VEGETATION IN LANDSCAPE
DESIGN
 ENVIRONMENTAL VALUE
 FUNCTIONAL AND ARCHITECTURAL VALUE
 HEALTH VALUE
 AESTHETIC VALUE

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ENVIRONMENTAL
VALUE
 PREVENTION OF SOIL EROSION
Plants with shallow fibrous root systems
are effective to prevent soil erosion.
Turf grasses are also effective in
preventing soil erosion.
The deep roots of trees help hold the soil
tight.
Trees also absorb some of the nutrients
in the soil that would otherwise be
washed away. Fig: Turf grass used for foreshore stabilization

Fig: Effect of vegetation in minimizing soil erosion

Fig: Vegetation can help protect slope and watershed
Trees, shrubs, and
groundcovers can maintain
slopes and reduce erosion
from surface water, shallow
groundwater and, to some
extent, coastal processes.
Large trees can arrest, retard,
or reduce the severity and
extent of failures by
buttressing a slope. This
works in much the same way
as retaining walls.

ENVIRONMENTAL VALUE
IMPROVING WATER QUALITY
Trees and other vegetation improve
water quality by decreasing soil erosion
and water runoff containing fertilizers
and pesticides from landscapes, oil,
and sewage pollute waterways and
lakes.
Communities can have cleaner water
by managing existing natural
vegetation, planting additional trees,
and reducing the use of pesticides and
fertilizers.
IMPROVING AIR QUALITY
Plants can purify the air by removing
carbon dioxide and limited quantities
of sulfur dioxide by replacing them
with oxygen.
Plants can also cleanse the
atmosphere by removing dust, ash,
smoke particles from the air. The
particles settle on the leaves and
branches and are eventually washed
by rain to the ground.

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ENVIRONMENTAL VALUE
NOISE POLLUTION CONTROL
Excessive or unwanted sound has
negative physical and psychological
effects. Noise can come from many
sources, especially roads and
highways. Trees can play an important
role in deadening unwanted noise.
Sound waves are absorbed by a tree’s
leaves, branches, and twigs. Plants can
add, absorb and deflect sound by the
presence and movement of their foliage
and branches.
LOWER HEATING AND COOLING COST
Trees have demonstrated the ability to
reduce heating and cooling costs and
counteract the “heat island” effect in urban
environments.
Urban areas with little vegetation can
experience temperatures of up to seven
degrees higher than those with tree cover.
This translates into significantly higher
energy costs to cool buildings.
Properly planted trees can cut heating and
cooling costs by as much as 12 % and
reduce overall power demand.

Fig: Embankments, deciduous and evergreen plantings, and masonry walls
are used together for pollution control.

FUNCTIONAL AND ARCHITECTURAL
VALUE
 Can cater to the need for privacy, protection from glare or direct sunlight
into windows, or shade.
Fig: Trees used for privacy purposes

VALUE
Fig: Plants can be used to screen the hot
summer sun while allowing sunlight through
bare branches in winter for a type of climate
control.
Fig: Engineering with plant design reduces light
glare.

Fig: Use of windbreaks to control winter winds Fig: Use of deciduous plants to direct summer breeze
Control and direction of winds using plants in landscape design
VALUE

Fig: Tall evergreen trees at the entrance
create an inviting and inhibiting character to
the house.
Complementing and reinforcing the existing architecture of the house or structure. Trees shrubs
and ground cover can be used to emphasize desirable architectural lines and masses of the house.
VALUE

Fig: Apparent size of the structure is increased by graduating plant sizes away from the
house
VALUE

Creation of outdoor rooms. Outdoor rooms can be created by
either of the two approaches.
VALUE
Fig: An inwardly focused
space
Inwardly oriented space
is characterized by either
complete or nearly
complete enclosure with
a strong focal point.
INWARDLY FOCUSED SPACE
Fig: View of a backyard, an enclosed
space with a sculpture as a focal point.

VALUE
Fig: An outwardly
focused space
Outwardly oriented
rooms are enhanced by
amenities outside the
space such as good
views and breezes.
OUTWARDLY FOCUSED SPACE
Fig: Front yard of a house providing a good
view of the outer space.

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HEALTH VALUE
 Using plants for interior landscaping can help reduce symptoms of Sick Building
Syndrome important factors of which are poor air quality, excessive background noise and
inadequate control of light and humidity.
Benefits of indoor plants include:
1. Reducing carbon dioxide levels
2. Increasing humidity
3. Reducing levels of certain pollutants, such as benzene and nitrogen dioxide
4. Reducing airborne dust levels
5. Keeping air temperatures down
 MEDICINAL BENEFITS
The roots, leaves, bark, fruit and blossoms of plants and trees have been used for medicinal
purposes since before recorded history. Teas, tinctures, poultices and extracts made from
countless plants are used to soothe sore throats, boost immunity, ease congestion and
relieve pain throughout the world.

HEALING GARDEN or THARAPEAUTIC GARDEN

AESTHETIC VALUE
Trees provide a variety of aesthetic values and accentuate the architectural design of
buildings.
The aesthetic value of the plants is through the physical senses of sight, sound, smell and
touch.
Individual parts of plants-blooms, fruits, leaves and branches are valued for their color,
shape, aroma and texture.

Plants can be appreciated for the
sculptural quality of overall size,
color, and form. Unusual or rominent
plants can be used as focal points to
contrast their surroundings.
Whether you want the focal point to
be viewed from one or several
vantage points, the subject must
appear dominant within its context
but never overpowering.

The composition of views to
particular focal points or open
vistas can be done with
plants, keeping in mind the
general rules of composition
within painting- utilizing a
foreground, middle ground
and background.
Contrast of sunlight and
shade between all three can
be used to emphasize the
subject, placed in the middle
ground, more effectively.

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4. DESIGN CRITERIA
 MAJOR FUNCTIONS OF PLANT MATERIAL
 COST
 HARDINESS
 SAFETY CONSIDERATIONS
 MAINTENANCE CONSIDERATIONS

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MAJOR FUNCTIONS OF PLANT MATERIALS
 AESTHETICS
 SCREENING
 CIRCULATION CONTROL
 PRODUCTION

AESTHETICS
• COLOR
Color is the most attractive and visual characteristic of plants, but it also is the most
fleeting, as most plants display prominent color only during short bloom periods. Light
qualities of the site—sunny or shady areas—affect the perception of color. Warm, bright
colors, such as yellows and whites, are best for shade, and all colors work well in sunny
areas.

AESTHETICS
• 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.

COARSE TEXTURE MEDIUM TEXTURE FINE TEXTURE
With their high contrast,
coarse-textured plants
attract the eye and tend
to hold it because the
light and dark contrasts
of the shadows provide
more interest. Each leaf
of a coarse-textured
plant breaks up the
outline, giving the plant
a looser form.
Medium-textured
plants act as a
background to link
and unify the
coarse- and fine-
textured plants.
Fine-textured plants can
sometimes have a
stronger form because
the small individual
leaves are densely
packed (e.g., boxwoods)
to create a solid form.

A space feels smaller
with coarse textures on
the perimeter.
A space feels larger with
coarse textures on the
perimeter.

AESTHETICS
• SCALE AND 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.
The placement of the plants of various sizes
creates the difference of accentuating of an
object or camouflaging it to the background.

AESTHETICS
• FORM
Form is the three-dimensional shape of a plant or a plant mass. Overall form is more or less
relevant depending on the viewing perspective.
For example, the form of a tree can appear quite different when the viewer is standing under the
canopy than it does when the viewer is standing in an open field.
Plant forms can create and define the open spaces between the plants.

TREE FORMS GROUND COVER FORMS SHURB FORMS
Tree forms are dominant in the
garden because of their size.
They are the most functional
plants in the landscape, providing
shade and blocking views.
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.
Shrubs have a variety of
forms, it is important to
consider how shrubs will look
when massed together. The
form of the shrub determines
its most suitable function.
Upright, vase, mounded,
and round forms work best
as taller screens and
buffers;irregular and
spreading forms work well
as groundcovers; and
arching ,cascading,
pyramidal, and spiky forms
work best as focal points..
Groundcover or bedding
plants tend to have the most
complex forms. 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. Matting,
spreading, or sprawling
plants are used to form a
solid, low cover over large
areas. Plants that grow in
clumps or short spikes can
be used in smaller masses
and work well in planters or
enclosed areas.

AESTHETICS
• LINE
Line is related to eye movement or flow. The
concept and creation of line depends upon
the purpose of the design and existing
patterns.
In the overall landscape, line is inferred by
bed arrangement and the way these beds fit
or flow together.
Line is also created vertically by changes in
plant height and the height of tree and shrub
canopies.
Straight lines tend to be forceful, structural
and stable and direct the observer's eye to a
point faster than curved lines. Curved or
free-flowing lines are sometimes described
as smooth, graceful, or gentle and create a
relaxing, progressive, moving and natural
feeling.

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SCREENING
 Plant screens can provide privacy, mark
boundaries, discourage intruders, or block
unpleasant views.

SCREENING DONE IN THE FORM OF GREEN
BELT BUFFER, BLOCKING THE VIEW AND
CONTROLLING THE SOUNDS FROM THE
FRAFFIC

SCREENING DONE TO
BLOCK THE VIEW OF
THE OUTDOOR
STORAGE

CIRCULATION CONTROL
Plantings can control and direct the movements of
people, animals, or vehicles.
Where established pedestrian shortcuts are to be
discouraged, thorned, dense-growing plants may
be necessary to change user habits.
Not always the vertical trees

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Cost
 Initial nursery and planting costs must always be balanced against the
cost of long-term maintenance.
 Some slow-growing trees are expensive as nursery stock but require
little care once established and can grace the landscape for hundreds
of years.
 Plants can be used in many of the same ways that "hard" building
materials are used - to form outdoor walls, ceilings, fences, etc .
Although they require more space on a site, plants are typically less
expensive to buy and install than hardscape materials, and can require
less maintenance if properly chosen.

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Hardiness
 Hardiness of plants describes their ability to survive adverse growing conditions. It is
usually limited to discussions of climatic adversity. Thus a plant's ability to
tolerate cold, heat, drought, flooding, or wind are typically considered
measurements of hardiness.
 Locally grown plant materials that are fully adapted to the region should be used
whenever possible.
 Favorable microclimates on-site can also be exploited to allow the use of plants that
might not normally survive the conditions of a region.

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Safety Considerations
Poisonous Plants:
 Plants with brightly colored poisonous berries or leaves should not be used where children
may be tempted to eat them. Some plants can cause an allergic reaction when touched.
These should be located out of reach.
Litter-producing Plants :
 Plants that produce messy fruit or nuts, cones, seed pods or excessive leaf litter are
hazardous to pedestrians and hinder passage of many wheeled vehicles like strollers and
wheelchairs. In addition, some may stain clothing or pavement surfaces.
Weak-branched Plants:
 Large branches may be susceptible to breaking from wind and ice and can cause damage
or pose obstacles if they fall.
Plants with Droping Branches:
 Branches that hang into walkways or streets can injure pedestrians and cyclists and may
cause damage to larger vehicles.

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Plants with Shallow Roots:
 Roots near the surface can cause sidewalk heaving, creating uneven paths that are
impassable for small-wheeled vehicles and are dangerous for pedestrians.
Thorned Plants :
 Thorned plants can be dangerous to brush into or fall against. Thorned leaves, twigs and
branches that litter the ground can also be dangerous for people wearing light shoes or
going barefoot.
Plants that Attract Insects :
 Plants that attract stinging pollinators or other insect pests should be placed away from
sitting areas and walks.

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 Maintenance Considerations
Proximity to Mechanical Activity:
 The vigor of a tree or shrub can be greatly reduced through repeated wounding by
lawnmowers and string trimmers that girdle the trunk, or passing vehicles that may break
branches. Soil compaction caused by pedestrian or vehicular traffic can also damage
plantings.
Placement of Plantings :
 Fitting the right plant to the right place includes using plant materials whose requirements
for water, light and soil match the site conditions; placing plants that will be large when
mature away from electric lines and other structures.

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Proximity of Plants:
 The root systems of large trees can extend out horizontally several times the height of the tree.
Many trees suffer disease due to proximity to heavily irrigated lawns. Plants should be grouped
according to their requirements for sun, water, and soil chemistry.
 Some insects and diseases have developed a life cycle that relies on several plants. These
plants should be kept separate to avoid outbreaks.
Long-Term Maintenance Costs:
 No design is maintenance free, but the plants used can be tailored to fit the budget that will
provide for their weeding, pruning, and other necessary maintenance.

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5. PROCESS OF PLANTING AND
TRANSPLANTING
 PLANTING
 TRANSPLANTING
 POST PLANTING CARE
 EXISTING PLANT CARE

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PROCESS OF PLANTATION
PREPARATION OF PIT
 Pit should be prepared two months prior to planting to help
the soil expose to the scorching sun.
 Tree pit should be 1.2mX1.2mX1.2m. Poor digging with
improper base dimension would lead to the undernourished
growth of the plant.
PLANTING THE SAPLING
 Prior to planting of the sapling, there is a need for the
introduced sapling to get adjust to the new environment. If
possible such saplings should first be procured in nursery
beds.
 Preparation of hole: Hole is prepared in the soil large
enough to take the roots of the sapling with a layer of sand
underneath.
 Wrapping of roots: The roots of the sapling when lifted from
nursery are wrapped with good earth, such that the moisture
content is maintained.
 Damaged roots and shoots are to be cut off.

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PROCESS OF PLANTATION
STAKING
 Staking is done to protect the tree from bending and
toppling due to the wind pressure.
 The hole is then filled up with fine soil and firmly pressed
down so that the roots are exposed. The soil is then
consolidated property to avoid unnecessary settling or
exposing of the roots.
WATERING
 Watering must be done every third day for a young plant
sapling to survive.
 Surface soil should be cultivated regularly to open up the
soil so that proper aeration of the soil takes place.
 When subsoil drainage is poor, due to presence of clay or
clay pan, it will result in damage of the roots. Hence
brickbats with stone cover and dry leaves are laid in the pit
to a depth of 4" to 8" .
 White ants may occur if manure quantity is high. Hence, it is
necessary to keep the manure quantity to the minimum.

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CONSIDERATIONS
SITE CONDITIONS
 Attempting to match the requirements of the plant to the site increase the survivability,
performance, and longevity of the plant selected.
SOIL TEXTURE AND DRAINAGE
 The first step in assessing the condition of the planting site is to examine the soil.
 Soil texture and drainage are closely related. Sandy soils usually are very well drained,
have large pore spaces, and poor water-holding capabilities. They are usually associated
with dry conditions.
 Conversely, clayey soils have much smaller pore spaces, are poorly drained, and can
suffocate plant roots. The pore spaces in soil are very important to plant growth because
the oxygen that occupies them is essential to healthy roots.
 A tree planted in poorly drained soil will be slow to establish, lack vigor, and often will slowly
die.

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CONSIDERATIONS
WATER
 The correct amount of water for plants is essential. Selected plants that are tolerant of
excess water for low areas where water may be standing or very close to the surface, or
where a heavy clay soil exists. Standing water or a high water table means low oxygen
content in the soil. Therefore, trees and shrubs that can tolerate excessive moisture are
often better suited to these poor sites.
SUNLIGHT
 Although some plants can tolerate low light conditions, most require full sun to maintain
their vigor and attain their full potential. Some plants may require some protective shade to
prevent leaf scorch and desiccation.
LOCATION
 The location of the planting site in relation to other trees and objects such as buildings,
fences, etc. will have a considerable influence on temperature and moisture conditions
around the tree

DECIDUOUS TREE PLANTING DETAIL
SHRUB PLANTING DETAILEVERGREEN TREE PLANTING DETAIL
SLOPE-AFFECTED PLANTING DETAIL

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PROCESS OF TRANSPLANTATION
PROCESS:
 Plant should be bodily lifted with as many roots as possible and taken to the new
position immediately. Ball of earth surrounding the root should be also be lifted.
 Cover the root ball with damp material which will retain moisture until planting.
 When a tree or shrub is stored, it should be protected from direct sunlight, winds, and
temperature extremes. If any woody plants cannot be planted for more than a week,
their roots should be covered with a match or moist soil and the plants should be
placed in a shades area.
 Roots should not be injured. It must be cut so that the amount of water absorbed in
the new site can be checked. There is a change in the environment, thus more
amount of water might create problems.
 If the earth breaks away from the root area, it must be smeared with clay, cowdung
and water.
 The entire plant is then placed within the pit and fine soil can be added. Finally good
soil will cover up the root. The replanting is to be done to the same depth as was at
the old location.
 Broken limbs should be removed and leaf area to be removed and leaf area to be
reduced to check evapo-transpiration. At the same time branches have to be cut
back.

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CONSIDERATIONS
Transplanting is the process of bodily lifting of mature and large plants from their position to a
new position.
 When deciding whether or not to transplant a tree or shrub, or to start over with a young
plant, the following considerations are necessary:
(a) Species transplantation tolerance,
(b) Condition of the plant,
(c) Season to transplant,
(d) New planting site conditions,
(e) The Equipment needed and
(f) Follow up care
 Transplanting is done when there is enough moisture in the soil. Hence, monsoon is the
right time as there is enough moisture in the soil

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POST PLANTING CARE
STAKING
 Trees should be protected from bending due to
wind by stakes. Stakes also help in transpiration
of water.
WATERING
 After transplanting, copious watering is
done. Copious watering procedure has to be
clearly mentioned. Too much or too little water
after transplanting is a major cause of tree or
shrub loss.
 The site should be thoroughly watered
immediately after planting.

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POST PLANTING CARE
MULCH
 Mulches help conserve moisture,
moderate soil temperature and
control weeds around trees and
shrubs. They are placed on the soil
surface over the tree or shrub root
system. Either organic or inorganic
mulches may be used.
PRUNING
 Pruning may be required when
transplanting trees or shrubs. The
amount of pruning depends on the
size of the root ball and plant canopy,
health of the plant, and the species
transplanted.
MULCHING
PRUNING

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EXISTING PLANT CARE
A common method for
protecting existing plants
during construction is to erect
a barrier around the plant,
enclosing an area as large as
the rootzone of the plant or
plants to be protected. This
prevents compaction of soil
and other forms of damage
to the existing roots and also
prevents mechanical damage
to the plant.
PROTECTION OF EXISTING TREES DURING
CONSTRUCTION

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EXISTING PLANT CARE
Existing plants and new
plantings need to be
protected from physical injury
and root zone compaction
during periods of
construction. When the root
system is damaged or
impaired, the loss of moisture
through leaves can quickly
outpace the amount taken up
by roots. Young fibrous
growing root tips must be
protected as they are the
primary absorptive parts of
the system.
PROTECTION OF EXISTING TREES DURING
CONSTRUCTION

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