Louisiana Yards and Neighborhoods For the Right Place Selecting the Right Plant

Gardening Styles Formal Informal 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 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 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 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 1.List your needs. 2.Study your site. 3.Diagram space needs. 4.Shape the spaces. 5.Select the materials. 1.List your needs. 2.Study your site. 3.Diagram space needs. 4.Shape the spaces. 5.Select the materials.

Step 1 – List Your Needs Privacy issues Outdoor living area Swimming pool Greenhouse Storage areas BE THOROUGH!!! 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 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. 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. 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 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 Soil chemical/physical properties Drainage Sunlight exposure Temperature exposures/extremes Structural limitations Other conditions

Louisiana One Call or or 811

Soil, Soil Amendments pH of 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!!! pH of 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 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 Herbaceous perennials Ground covers and vines Shrubs Trees Turf grass

Annual Bedding Plants Warm-season Cool-season Transitional Warm-season Cool-season Transitional

Annual Bedding Plants Create islands of flowers in open lawn. Easily viewed from every side. Problem? High maintenance. 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 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. 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 Shrub growth habits –Height –Spread –Form –Color –Texture Match growth habits to design specifications

Shrubs and Trees (Leaf Retention) Evergreen Semi-evergreen Deciduous Evergreen Semi-evergreen Deciduous

Shrubs and Trees (Mature Size) Small Medium Large Small Medium Large

Shrubs and Trees (Growth Rate) Slow Moderate Fast Slow Moderate Fast

Louisiana Yards and Neighborhoods For the Right Place Selecting the Right Plant