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www.lsuagcenter.com/lyn. Louisiana Yards and Neighborhoods. Selecting the Right Plant. For the Right Place. Gardening Styles. Formal Informal. Formal Gardening. Bilateral symmetry Clipped/hedged plantings Geometrically shaped plants Orderly rows Repeated plant spacings
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www.lsuagcenter.com/lyn Louisiana Yards and Neighborhoods Selecting the Right Plant For the Right Place
Gardening Styles • Formal • Informal
Formal Gardening • Bilateral symmetry • Clipped/hedged plantings • Geometrically shaped plants • Orderly rows • Repeated plant spacings • Classical hardscape structures • Smoothness in paint, wood, etc. • Neatly manicured
Formal Gardening • Very effective • Very “repeatable” • Stiff • Lifeless • Boring • High maintenance • Fewer plant types; more of the same plant
Informal Gardening • Natural plant shapes • Pruned plants but not sheared plants • Irregular arrangement • Curved and flowing beds • No geometric shapes • Relaxed, rustic building features • Lower maintenance • More plant types included
Landscape Planning Steps • List your needs. • Study your site. • Diagram space needs. • Shape the spaces. • Select the materials.
Step 1 – List Your Needs • Privacy issues • Outdoor living area • Swimming pool • Greenhouse • Storage areas • BE THOROUGH!!!
Step 2 – Study Your Site • Compass directions • Shady and sunny areas • Wet and dry areas • Simple sketch of property • Scale drawing even better
Step 3 – Diagram Space Needs • List all things to go in landscape. • Assign activities to spaces. • Create a “bubble” plan on paper. • Use multiple arrangements. • Think/plan for future.
Step 4 – Shape the Spaces • Finalize spaces. • Decide on plant characteristics. • Creative stage (guided by previous steps) need to know the style you want to achieve.
Step 5 – Select the Materials • Plants to be used • Surfacing materials to be used • Cost factor
Site Analysis • Soil chemical/physical properties • Drainage • Sunlight exposure • Temperature exposures/extremes • Structural limitations • Other conditions
Louisiana One Call • 1-800-272-3020 • or 811
Soil, Soil Amendments • pH of 5.5-6.5 • pH of 7 is neutral, above 7 is alkaline (basic), below 7 is acid. • Raise pH with lime. • Lower pH with sulfur. • Don’t guess, SOIL TEST!!!
Soil Drainage Modifications • French drains • Raised beds • “Pitcher’s mound” • Berm
Plant Materials • Annual bedding plants • Herbaceous perennials • Ground covers and vines • Shrubs • Trees • Turf grass
Annual Bedding Plants • Warm-season • Cool-season • Transitional
Annual Bedding Plants • Create islands of flowers in open lawn. • Easily viewed from every side. • Problem? High maintenance.
Annual Bedding Plants • Border plantings along landscape edges • Soften transition areas • Slightly less maintenance
Annual Bedding Plants • Group according to color. • Intermix blooming times. • Consider plant height. • Consider water, sunlight and fertility requirements. • Provide proper spacing between plants.
Herbaceous Perennials • Fall bloomers – tall • Summer bloomers – intermediate • Spring bloomers – short
Annual/Perennial Selection • Shade or sun • Container, hanging basket, landscape bed • Cool-season or warm-season • Season-long performer or short-term performer • pH requirement
Annual/Perennial Selection • Irrigation requirement • Fertilization requirement • Maintenance requirement • Re-seeding tendency • Insect susceptibility • Disease susceptibility
Ground Covers • Proper spacing at planting = faster establishment • Improper spacing at planting = slower establishment • Fall planting best • Should cover area in one year
Ground Covers • Erosion control on slopes • Vegetation growth where grass is difficult to grow • Reduces temperature and glare • Less lawn to maintain • Fill in odd-shaped areas in the landscape
Ground Covers • Sunlight issues • Irrigation availability • Desired height • Desired growth habit • Desired growth rate
Shrubs and Trees • Shrub growth habits • Height • Spread • Form • Color • Texture • Match growth habits to design specifications
Shrubs and Trees(Leaf Retention) • Evergreen • Semi-evergreen • Deciduous
Shrubs and Trees(Mature Size) • Small • Medium • Large
Shrubs and Trees(Growth Rate) • Slow • Moderate • Fast
www.lsuagcenter.com/lyn Louisiana Yards and Neighborhoods Selecting the Right Plant For the Right Place