Chapter 5-Using Plants
Steps in landscape installation
Site analysis->plant selection (quality, no pests or damage)->site prep (grade, soil, water)->planting (moisture in soil, not too deep, large hole)->support (stake trees or palm bracing)->water (thorough after plant and in establishment)->mulch (around base, away from stem)
Why is selection of best turf grass important for good lawn
Site conditions impact growth of certain grass; grasses have diff maintenance requirements; different regions have different diseases/pests that can impact certain grass
Corner plantings role
Soften corners and frame house; irregular or formal plants not higher than 2/3 height to eaves/2nd story
4 grasses in majority of FL lawns
St Augustine, Bahia, Bermuda, Centipede (sometimes Zoysia)
Roles of tree planting
Stabilize and unify house; soften architectural lines (corners and roof)
Functions of plants indoors
Tie indoors and outdoors together; provide accents and focal points; break hard lines; change apparent size of room; air filter
Most common problems of indoor foliage
Too much/little fertilizers, watering or light; too hot/cold; air pollution; poor drainage/aeration; spider mites, mealy bugs, scales, aphids and whiteflies
Indoor plants environmental needs
-Light: mostly indirect/filtered; super important -Temp: 65-75*F at day; 10*lower at night -Humidity: 40-60% -Air circulation: circulate but no draft -Water: too much/little is common cause of death; water only when necessary (touch, observe soil for shrinking, estimate weight) -Cleaning: weekly by dusting or misting; wash with water and soap periodically -Fertilization: grow slowly so every 2-3 months, less in winter
Steps to prepare landscape design
1) Make map/sketch of property to be landscaped 2) site analysis to show location of existing things (buildings, sidewalks, trees, elevation, water, etc); study plant site characteristics (sun, salt, pH, drainage, etc) 3) develop areas using tracing paper on top of plan
Role of functional areas of landscape
Best use of lot to meet requirements of family; public (in front of house, open to scrutiny of public), service (storage for garbage, clotheslines, compost bins, utility sheds, parking, etc), and private (outdoor living area, extension indoor living area) areas
Centipedegrass
Common in N and W FL; low maintenance; full sun; acidic soils; low fertilization; drought and cold tolerant; resist weeds; no salt tolerance; no alkaline soils; ground pearl and nematode problems
Importance of Florida Friendly Landscape
Conserves water; save money on water, maintenance and energy
Role of shrubs
Focus attention on house and entrance; soften corners and lines
Bermudagrass
Golf greens and athletic turf; high maintenance (fertilizing, mowing, watering); likes sun; grows fast; wide range of soil types and pH; salt-tolerant; withstand wear; costly; lots of insect pests and some diseases; large nematode problem
Texture and its role in landscape design
Impression of coarseness or fineness gained by seeing/feeling a plant; make complimentary or contrasting plant compositions
Reasons horticultural professionals should have knowledge of landscape design principals
Increase professional stature and allows you to help customers to select best plants
Purpose of planning for landscape design
Increases living and recreational area for family; increase property value; increase beauty and functional use; decrease maintenance
List ways to reduce initial cost of landscape
Instal in phases; go with smaller size (NEVER lower quality)
Personal qualifications necessary to produce good landscape designs
Knowledge, artistic talent, and application of artistic principles; training and experience; make customer aware of value of landscaping
Zoysiagrass
Less mowing; range of soils; tolerant to shade, salt, wear, and weeds; high maintenance; slow growth at establishment and recovery; needs fertilization and water; pest problems
Value of a good lawn
Looks good, eliminates erosion, reduces runoff, decreases surface temperatures, glare, noise; filters air pollutants; recreational area; property value
Bahiagrass
Low maintenance; few pests/diseases; drought tolerant; coarse; seedbeds in summer; light green color; open growth habit; susceptible to mole crickets; no tolerating salt or high pH
St Augustinegrass
Most popular, dark green, salt tolerant; wide range of soils; tolerate shade; resist damage; moderate-high maintenance; chinch bug, sod webworm, army worm and disease problems
Palm Bracing
Mostly with large palms; wrap trunk in burlap and add wood battens (2x4s) to trunk, then nail supports into the battens (NOT THE PALM)
Role of color in landscape plantings
Used for accenting; warm (red, orange, yellow) decrease apparent distance; cool (blue, green, purple) increase apparent distance; balance distance and colors
Role of entrance plantings
Year-round; security (not big enough to hide behind); should be in proportion to entrance; for symmetrical house-same plants; asymmetrical house-fancy on short side, boring on long side)
Two aspects of plant selection
general plant qualities (fulfill aesthetic, cultural and env needs of landscape; definite function; tolerant to environment of site) and individual plant characteristics (size, quality, container/field grown, etc)
Stake Trees
prevents uprooting/wind throw until established; be sure the plant needs it because it may weaken trees by not allowing to bend
