Unit II- Landscaping & principles of landscaping, Landscape uses of trees, shrubs & climbers
Chapter 2 - Principles of Landscaping
Landscape design is the arrangement of outdoor space in a way that serves the needs and desires of people without damage to natural ecological relationships. The creation of usable, imaginative landscapes depends upon how skillfully the designer applies the basic principles that guide all creative planning.
1. Balance- The visual equilibrium of different garden elements is known as balance in landscape design.Itisveryimportanttomaintainthebalanceonbothsideofcentralaxis.
2. Scale and Proportion- Scale is an important landscape principle. Any element placed in a garden without scale looks very awkward. A narrow step leading to a wide terrace is completely out of scale. The steps in a garden should not be broader than those inside the buildings but should have deep treads and low rider also. Proportion in a garden may be defined as a definite relationship between masses. Proportion is the relation of one thing to the other in magnitude. A rectangle having 5:8 ratios is considered to be a pleasing proportion as this ratio comes down the form looks neither square nor rectangular and design becomes undesirable.
3. Rhythm / Harmony: Repetition of the same object at equidistance is called rhythm. It can be created through shape, progression of sizes or continuous line movement. It should not be broken.
4. Unity: Unity in a garden is very important as when it is achieved it will improve the artistic look of the garden. Different components of the garden should merge harmoniously with each other. The aim is to give the impression and overall effect of the garden rather than some special features.
5. Accent/Emphasis: Emphasis is created in the garden to avoid monotonous views. It is a method to stress the most important thing. This also serves as a centre of attraction.
6. Simplicity: The design of the garden should be simple which should be understood by man and nature. The various elements and features should be placed in such a way that it should look pleasant rather than confusing to the people.
Chapter 3- Landscape uses of trees, shrubs and climbers
Landscape uses of trees, shrubs and climbers
A tree is a perennial plant having a distinct trunk and crown at the top.
The logical meaning of each letter of the tree
T- Temprature and micro climate moderation
R- Removal of air pollutants
E- Erosion control
E- Energy conservation
Uses of tree
Trees combat the greenhouse effect: Global warming is the result of excess greenhouse gases, created by burning fossil fuels and destroying tropical rainforests. The heat from the sun, reflected back from the earth, is trapped in this thickening layer of gases, causing global temperatures to rise. Carbon dioxide (CO2) is a major greenhouse gas. Trees absorb CO2, removing and storing the carbon while releasing the oxygen back into the air.
Trees clean the air: Trees absorb odours and pollutant gases (nitrogen oxides, ammonia, sulfur dioxide and ozone) and filter particulates out of the air by trapping them on their leaves and bark.
Trees cool the streets and the city: Average temperatures in Los Angeles have risen 6°F in the last 50 years as tree coverage has declined and the number of heat-absorbing roads and buildings has increased.
Trees cool the city by up to 10°F, by shading our homes and streets, breaking up urban “heat islands” and releasing water vapour into the air through their leaves.
Trees conserve energy: Three trees placed strategically around a single-family home can cut summer air conditioning needs by up to 50 per cent. By reducing the energy demand for cooling our houses, we reduce carbon dioxide and other pollution emissions from power plants.
Trees save water: Shade from trees slows water evaporation from thirsty lawns. Most newly planted trees need only fifteen gallons of water a week. As trees transpire, they increase atmospheric moisture.
Trees help prevent water pollution: Trees reduce runoff by breaking rainfall thus allowing the water to flow down the trunk and into the earth below the tree. This prevents stormwater from carrying pollutants to the ocean. When mulched, trees act like a sponge that filters this water naturally and uses it to recharge groundwater supplies.
Trees help prevent soil erosion: On hillsides or stream slopes, trees slow runoff and hold soil in place by binding the soil particles with their roots
Tree improve the fertility of the soil by adding organic manure in the form of leaves every year
Trees help prevent check air pollution and noise pollution
Trees shield children from ultra-violet rays: Skin cancer is the most common form of cancer in the United States. Trees reduce UV-B exposure by about 50 per cent, thus providing protection to children on school campuses and playgrounds - where children spend hours outdoors.
Trees provide food: An apple tree can yield up to 15-20 bushels of fruit per year and can be planted on the tiniest urban lot. Aside from fruit for humans, trees provide food for birds and wildlife.
Trees heal: Studies have shown that patients with views of trees out their windows heal faster and with fewer complications. Children with ADHD show fewer symptoms when they have access to nature. Exposure to trees and nature aids concentration by reducing mental fatigue.
Trees reduce violence: Neighbourhoods and homes that are barren have shown to have a greater incidence of violence in and out of the home than their greener counterparts. Trees and landscaping help to reduce the level of fear.
Trees mark the seasons: Is it winter, spring, summer or fall? Look at the trees.
Trees create economic opportunities: Fruit harvested from community orchards can be sold, thus providing income. Small business opportunities in green waste management and landscaping arise when cities value mulching and its water-saving qualities. Vocational training for youth interested in green jobs is also a great way to develop economic opportunities from trees.
Trees are teachers and playmates: Whether as houses for children or creative and spiritual inspiration for adults, trees have provided the space for human retreat throughout the ages.
Trees bring diverse groups of people together: Tree plantings provide an opportunity for community involvement and empowerment that improves the quality of life in our neighbourhoods. All cultures, ages, and genders have an important role to play at a tree planting or tree care event.
Trees add unity: Trees as landmarks can give a neighbourhood a new identity and encourage civic pride.
Trees provide a canopy and habitat for wildlife: Sycamore and oak are among the many urban species that provide excellent urban homes for birds, bees, possums and squirrels.
Trees block things; Trees can mask concrete walls or parking lots, and unsightly views. They muffle sound from nearby streets and freeways and create an eye-soothing canopy of green. Trees absorb dust and wind and reduce glare.
Trees provide wood: In suburban and rural areas, trees can be selectively harvested for fuel and craft wood.
Trees increase property values: The beauty of a well-planted property and its surrounding street and neighbourhood can raise property values by as much as 15 per cent.
Trees increase business traffic: Studies show that the more trees and landscaping a business district has, the more business will flow in. A tree-lined street will also slow traffic – enough to allow the drivers to look at the storefronts instead of whizzing by.
Specimen tree: Such trees are planted singly for their attractive shape, beautiful foliage, flowers or for drooping branches that reflect humbleness. Ex: Araucaria cookii,
Callistemonlanceolatus,Salixbabylonica,Cassiafistula,PlumeriaalbaCassianodosa
Shady trees: Such trees have mostly round canopy or umbrella crowns. Leaves are large and dense so that no or very little sun is allowed underneath them. Ex: Azadirachta indica, Ficus religiosa, F. benghalensis, F. infectoria, Mangifera indica
Flowering trees: produce colourful and beautiful flowers. Ex: Bauhinia variegata, Callistemonlanceolatus,Cassiafistula,Delonixregia,Plumeriaalba,Buteamonosperma
Treeforavenueorroadside: Planted for shade or flowers.Ex: Cassia fistula, Grevillea robusta, Jacaranda acutifolia, Ficus infectoria, Kigeliapinnata
Screening purpose: When tall upright trees are planted very close to give an ultimate look of curtain or screen. Such trees are planted to hide some objects or sides. Ex: Grevillearobusta,Eucalyptussp.,Poplarsp.,Polyalthialongifolia,P.pendula
Fragrant flowers: ex:Kanakchampa(Pterospermumacerifolium),Pagoda tree(Plumeria sp.), Bara champa (Magnolia grandiflora), Swarn champa (Micheliachampaka)
For checking air pollution: Morus sp., Poplar hybrida, Plumeria acutifolia, Ficusinfectoria
Shrub
A shrub is distinguished from a tree by its multiple stems and shorter height, usually under 6 m (20 ft)tall.
Plants of many species may grow either into shrubs or trees, depending on their growing conditions. Small, low shrubs, generally less than 2 m (6.6 ft) tall, such as lavender, periwinkle and most small garden varieties of roses, are often termed subshrubs or bushes.
Shrubsarewoody,perennialplantsthatgenerallygrowtoaheightof12feet but can sometimes reach 20 feet or more.
Among the hundreds of varieties of shrubs, two main types emerge--deciduous shrubs, which lose their leaves in winter, and evergreens, which don't.
Many varieties of both produce berries and small fruit, while others produce flowers of different colours, shapes and scents.
In the landscape, they can serve as windbreaks and privacy screens, as an ornament, or as an important food source for birds, small animals, insects and other wildlife.
Purpose of planting shrubs
To enhance the beauty of surroundings
To provide fragrance in the garden
To act as a boundary of the property line and provide liveliness to the garden
Planted for screening purpose to hide unwanted places
Planted to divide the area of the garden such as ladies corners or children corner
Classification
Flowering Shrubs: Produce very attractive and spectacular flowers which are grown for mass effect and carpeting purposes. Ex: Hibiscus rosa-Sinensis, Hibiscus mutabilis, Caesalpinia pulcherima, Bougainvillea sp., Ervatamia divaricata, Nerium indicum, Calliandra
For Foliage: grown in the garden for handsome and richly variegated foliage. Ex: Acalypha tricolour, Nandina Domestica, Codium Variegata, Manihot Variegata
For Flowers and Foliage: Some flowers have handsome foliage and produce good flowers too.Ex:Bougainvillea,Buddleiaasiatica,Buddleiamadagascariensis,Hamelia patens
For Fragrant Flowers: Cestrum nocturnum, Cestrum diurnum, Murraya panniculata, Jasminum sambac, Jasminum auriculatum
Climbers
Climbers–a group of plants that have weak stems and the ability to climb up the support with the help of modified organs for sunlight and air.
Climbers possess different modified organs which help in climbing the support
They are tendrils: Antigonun leptopus, Bignonia gracilis, Pyrostegiavenusta
Thorns: Bougainvillea
Roots and rootlets: Campsisgrandiflora, Ficusrepens by secreting sticky
substances from growing points
Twiners differ from climbers in the way that they don’t possess such modified organs but twine around the support, cover it and reach the top
Uses of Climbers
Create natural and thick screen
Covering ugly objects
Create privacy
Covering slopes as a groundcover
Shading after training over pergolas
Avenueplanting
Topiary
Integrating house with the garden
Softening harsh masonry walls
To supplement and fill bare spots in the garden
To give added interest by training on trees
To cover up patio
Selection of climbers
There is different situation in the garden like sunny, partial shade and different structures according to which suitable types can be selected
For sunny situation: Pyrostegiavenusta, Quisqualisindica,Antigonon leptopus, Bougainvillia
For partial shade: Clerodendron splendens, Petreavolubilis
Heavy Climbers: Produce luxuriant vegetative growth and grow very vigorously. They cover large area and are suitable for covering a bigger area
Eg:Antigononleptopus,Bignoniamagnifica,Bougainvillia,Pyrostegia venusta, Clerodendronsplendens
Light climbers: These climbers make sparse vegetative growth and remain light in the spread.These are suitable for limited spaces. eg.Lonicerajaponica, Clitoriaternatea
Climbers for fragrant flowers: Jasminum grandiflorum, J. officinale, Hiptagebenghalensis
Climbers for pots: Bougainvillia, Clitoriaternatea
Making hedge: Clerodendron inerme,Bougainvillia
Indoor decoration: Pothos, Monstera deliciosa, Philodendron sp., Asparagussp.,
For screening: Vernonia elegnaefolia, Pyrostegia venusta
Annual Climbers: Ipomea Lobata, Clitoriaternatea
