As a landscape architecture professional, you know that choosing the right plant for your project is crucial for creating a functional, beautiful, and sustainable landscape. But how do you identify the best plant among thousands of options? Here are some tips and tools to help you with this challenging task.
Before you start browsing for plants, you need to assess your site conditions and requirements. Consider factors such as climate, soil, water, sun, shade, wind, slope, drainage, and wildlife. These will determine the plant hardiness zone, soil pH, moisture level, light exposure, and pest resistance of your site. You also need to consider the design goals, budget, maintenance, and regulations of your project. These will affect the plant size, shape, color, texture, form, and function of your site.
One of the easiest ways to find plants that match your site criteria is to use online databases that allow you to filter and search by various attributes. For example, the USDA Plants Database provides information on native and introduced plants in the US, including their distribution, characteristics, images, and uses. The Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center has a native plant database that focuses on plants that are adapted to specific regions, habitats, and benefits. The Landscape Plant Database from the University of Connecticut has a comprehensive list of plants suitable for landscape use, with detailed descriptions, photos, and cultural requirements.
Another way to identify the right plant for your project is to consult experts and guides that have experience and knowledge in landscape architecture and horticulture. You can seek advice from local nurseries, extension services, botanical gardens, or professional associations. They can recommend plants that are proven to perform well in your area, as well as provide tips on planting, care, and troubleshooting. You can also refer to books, magazines, blogs, or podcasts that feature landscape architecture projects and plant profiles. These can inspire you with ideas and examples of how to use plants creatively and effectively in your design.
Finally, the best way to identify the right plant for your project is to test it yourself. You can do this by planting samples or mock-ups of your plant selections in your site or in a similar environment. This will allow you to observe how the plants grow, behave, interact, and respond to the site conditions and challenges. You can also compare different plant combinations, arrangements, and layouts to see which ones work best for your design vision and goals. Testing your plants will help you refine your choices and avoid costly mistakes.
For over 30 years I have been challenged to create in interest in the landscape working alongside one of the regions largest deer population. Over this time I reached, sourced, and have tested numerous specimens in my own gardens, and followed the behavior each season. This practice allowed me to offer a wider pallet of plant materials with seasonal interest, in addition to ensure confidence in my clients investment.
You can't go wrong if you properly identify the context: - Context in terms of the site environmental & geophysical properties. This frames the environmental requirement of your plant materials. Related to this, the local flora should cue one in on what works. Looking at botanical publications will not hurt. As well as visiting local nurseries. - Context in terms of project design identity. The choice of the theme-setting plant materials will impact the overall feel for your project & should be in line with the client's desired feel. - Context in terms of site architectural functions. Shade-givers? Unarmed plant materials? Fragrance & color? Opaque screening? Filtered views? Consider the required site functions to help define your palette.