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3.013.01

The Elements of Planting The Elements of Planting DesignDesign

The Physical Characteristics of PlantsThe Physical Characteristics of Plants

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ColorColorThere are basically two types of color used in planting design There are basically two types of color used in planting design

background (or basic) color and accent color background (or basic) color and accent color

The use of color and how it will appear to the person within a landscape The use of color and how it will appear to the person within a landscape space are influenced by:space are influenced by:

1. 1. the distance at which it is viewedthe distance at which it is viewed,,2. 2. the amount of direct or indirect lightthe amount of direct or indirect light, ,

3. 3. the amount of shadethe amount of shade, and , and

4. 4. the soil conditions of the planting areathe soil conditions of the planting area..

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The following general principles should be The following general principles should be remembered remembered

People have a psychological tendency to lean toward light People have a psychological tendency to lean toward light and vivid colors.and vivid colors.

Subdued light and cool colors are more conducive to moody Subdued light and cool colors are more conducive to moody reflections of thought.reflections of thought.

Bright light and warm colors tend to excite and may lead the Bright light and warm colors tend to excite and may lead the viewer to move throughout a landscape space.viewer to move throughout a landscape space.

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Color changes should be gradated so as not to break Color changes should be gradated so as not to break continuity.continuity.

Warm colors such as reds, yellows, and oranges have Warm colors such as reds, yellows, and oranges have a tendency to appear nearer to the observer or to a tendency to appear nearer to the observer or to

advance, advance,

Cool colors such as blues and greens appear farther Cool colors such as blues and greens appear farther away or to recede.away or to recede.

Delicate colors (tints and pastels) have a fine textural Delicate colors (tints and pastels) have a fine textural appearance, while harsher or brighter colors may appearance, while harsher or brighter colors may

imply a coarse texture.imply a coarse texture.

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FormFormForm involves the shape and structure of a Form involves the shape and structure of a

plant or plant mass.plant or plant mass. General plant forms are

1. rounded or globular

2. Oval

3. conical or pyramidal

4. Upright

5. weeping or drooping

6. spreading or horizontal

7. irregular

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The basic form of any plant depends upon an The basic form of any plant depends upon an

undisturbed habit of growth.undisturbed habit of growth.

Vertical forms can be used to create strong accents as Vertical forms can be used to create strong accents as well as to add height to a composition. well as to add height to a composition.

Horizontal and spreading forms add width to tall Horizontal and spreading forms add width to tall structures. structures.

Weeping or drooping forms tend to create soft lines and Weeping or drooping forms tend to create soft lines and also provide a tie to the ground plane. also provide a tie to the ground plane.

Rounded and globular forms are useful in creating large Rounded and globular forms are useful in creating large plant masses for borders and enclosures.plant masses for borders and enclosures.

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Three-dimensional form is divided into two types: Three-dimensional form is divided into two types: positive and negative space. positive and negative space.

Until a planted space hasdefinition, it is termednegative space.

Once there is physical definition, it becomes positivespace.

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TextureTexture

Texture can be interpreted as the Texture can be interpreted as the tactile and visual charactertactile and visual character

of the physical surface qualities as of the physical surface qualities as determined by the determined by the

formform, , sizesize and and

aggregationaggregation of the units of which a plant is composed.of the units of which a plant is composed.

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Texture may also be qualified in terms of Texture may also be qualified in terms of the distance from which the plant is the distance from which the plant is

viewed. viewed.

A space can be made to appearlarger when fine texture isplaced farther from the eye.

Using the reverse strategy,a space can be made to appearsmaller.

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If textures change, they must do so in a logical If textures change, they must do so in a logical and graduated manner. They should generally and graduated manner. They should generally

proceed in a sequence and not break continuity. proceed in a sequence and not break continuity.