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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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