FYN Principle #1 - Right Plant, Right Place
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Transcript of FYN Principle #1 - Right Plant, Right Place
1
Right Plant, Right Place
Landscape Design Principles
Planning
Site Analysis
Plant Selection
Trees
Palms
Shrubs
Lawns
Turf
Alternatives
Natives
Author: Rebecca McNair
Key to SuccessProper planning and plant selection:
Can avoid problems later
Can save energy, effort, water, money, etc.
Makes the landscape more enjoyable
Plan First, Plant Once This is a process, not a
one-time event! Have a plan! Know the plants and what
they require to thrive Utilize regional gardening
books and magazines Consult with your UF
County Extension Office Ask qualified nursery
professionals for advice
How Do You Currently Use Your Property?
Family Activities? Pets? Outdoor entertainment? Low-maintenance? Do you like wildlife? Is there a view you
want to hide or enhance?
What are the site
characteristics?Soil Sand, silt, clay, Organic materials pH
Light Sun or shade
Drainage Wet or dry Drainage patterns
Structures and obstructions Utility lines (overhead and underground) Sidewalks / driveways
Know Your Plants What is the mature size
of the plant? Does it grow well in sun
or shade? Does it tolerate flooded
conditions? Is it salt tolerant? Is it susceptible to
pests which may be difficult to control?
Helianthus debilis
Beach Daisy
Selecting Plants Be familiar with botanical
namesBinomial nomenclature- a species name has 2 parts:
Genus and specific epithet Buy healthy plants
Look for new growthRoots are white and fibrousAvoid pot bound plantsAvoid diseased or insect infested plants
Jerusalem ThornParkinsonia aculeata
Genus Specific epithet
Engage The SensesScent
Fragrant flowers, aromatic plants or mulchBe mindful of allergens
SoundRunning water, wind chimes
TouchFuzzy, waxy, smooth
TasteEdible fruits, herbs
The sound of running water attracts wildlife.
Trees in the Landscape Provide shade Increase property
values Add color Add texture Attract wildlife Provide a framework
for the rest of the landscape Quercus virginiana
Live Oak
Factors to Consider
Incorrect
Correct
Most trees DO NOT have taproots
Tree roots grow OUT, not down 80 - 90% of a tree root
system is found in the upper 18 - 24 inches of the soil.
Roots of trees and shrubs grow to about 3 times the branch spread.
Trees Trees growing in commercial
settings live an average of 13 years
Trees in residential areas average 37 years
Trees in rural, undisturbed sites average 150 years
Some species live longer than others
Rapid growth results in weaker wood and shorter lifespan
Quercus nigra
The Water Oak is a relatively
short-lived tree.
Urban InfluencesCompacted soilsOver-pruningLimited space for roots
Improper stakingMechanical injuries
ConstructionPedestrian and vehicle abuse
Improper planting Improper
fertilization
Construction IssuesChanging the soil grade by as little as 6 inches can seriously damage a tree
When building, remove a tree that cannot be adequately protected and plant several younger, healthy trees
When in doubt, consult an arborist!
More Factors to Consider
Trees damaged by construction may not initially show symptoms and may decline slowly for many years
Topping a tree can create a dangerous situation
Trees which are subjected to stress are more susceptible to insects and diseases
Tree paints do not prevent insects or diseases
Selecting the Right Place For a Tree
Know the mature size Provide adequate space Trees should be planted at
least 15 ft from the foundation of a home!
Avoid overhead power linesQuercus laurifolia
Laurel Oak
Tree Planting Tips Dig the plant hole the same depth as the
root ball and 2 to 3 times wider Do not amend the backfill soil Apply 3 to 4 inches of mulch around the
tree to retain moisture, but avoid contact with the
stem or trunk Water regularly
until established
TransplantingContainer-grown or “hardened-off” balled and burlapped trees can be planted any time of year
Research indicates that establishment time can increase 1-2 months/ inch of trunk diameter
Fertilizing New Trees
Avoid fertilizing a tree until it is established
Proper irrigation is important
Fertilize 4-6 weeks after planting
Liriodendron tulipifera
Tulip Poplar
Palms Are Different!
Palms have only ONE terminal growing point
Palms do not increase in diameter as they mature
Palm roots grow longer but do not increase in diameter
Many palms are harvested from the wild
Transplant palms in spring and summer
Acoelorraphe wrightii Paurotis Palm
Shrubs Shrubs are
woody plants usually with multiple trunks and branches arising from near the roots
They provide structure, texture and color to a landscape
Many shrubs can be pruned to form hedges and topiary figures
Serenoa repens Saw Palmetto
Keep It SimpleDon’t plant shrubs too close together. Space them according to how far they will spread.
Plant in large groups for continuity and increased visual impact
Don’t place too many different species in the same area
Strelitzia reginae Bird of Paradise has a clumping habit; in time, it will fill
an area.
Planting Shrubs Plant in beds Incorporate organic matter in
the bed Group according to water and
maintenance needs Apply 3 to 4 inches of mulch, but
do not allow mulch to rest against the plant stems
Major Turfgrass Species in Florida St. Augustinegrass
The most popular Bahiagrass
Very drought tolerant Seashore paspalum
Very salt tolerant Bermudagrass
Used on golf courses Centipedegrass
Common in the Panhandle
BahiagrBahiagrassass
BermudaBermudagrassgrass
St. St. AugustineAugustine
grassgrass
St. Augustinegrass-Varieties
FloratamPoor shade and cold -
toleranceCoarse textureResistant to chinch bugsReddish colored stolonsSheds foliage coming
out of dormancyExcellent heat toleranceBest mowed at
3 - 4 inches
DelmarImproved shade- tolerance
Dwarf varietyGood cold- tolerance Susceptible to chinch bugs and sod webworms
Slow growth means it takes longer to establish
Mow at 2.5 - 4 inches
A Shady Spot
Even the shade tolerant varieties will do well only up to about 50% shade.
St. Augustinegrass Varieties for Semi-Shade
Bitterblue Improved cold- and
shade-toleranceFiner, denser texture
than FloratamSusceptible to chinch
bugsDarker green than
other varietiesMow at 3 - 4 inches
SevilleDoes well in partial
shadeSemi-dwarf type,
mow at 2 - 3 inchesSusceptible to chinch
bugs (more in sun than in shade)
More prone to thatch formation than other varieties
Drought Tolerant Varieties
Seashore paspalum ‘SeaIsle 1’ Excellent salt and
drought tolerance Tolerates flooding
and some shade Fine textured, dense,
dark green growth Disease and pest
resistant Moderate thatch Mow at 1 – 2 inches
BahiagrassArgentine
Good cold and drought tolerance
Poor salt and shade tolerance
Coarse textured, dense growth
Dormant in winter Wear tolerant Mow at 3 - 4 inches
Turf areas should be functional and easy to maintain!
Alternatives To Turf
Landscaping beds require less effort and cost less to maintain than turf
Consider low-maintenance ground covers, mulched landscape beds, and pathways
Native Plants Native Plants are adapted to Florida’s
environment Many non-native species are also appropriate
for a “Florida-Friendly Landscape” Visit garden stores and ask about low maintenance and native plants Association of Florida
Native Nurserieswww.afnn.orgSearch for a specific plant and locate the native plant nurseries that sell it!
www.floridata.com
Zamia floridana
Coontie
Rhapidophyllum hystrix Needle Palm
Passiflora edulis Passion Vine
A Few Natives
Calicarpa americana Beautyberry
www.floridata.com
Erythrina herbacea
Cherokee Bean
EnvironmentallyFriendly Landscaping
Your yard is an integral part of the protection and preservation
of Florida’s environment.
The collective decisions we make about our landscapes have a
profound impact on the quality of surface and ground water supplies, and ultimately, our quality of
life.
With a little thought, our landscapes can combine beauty,
function and environmental protection.
Further Readinghttp://edis.ifas.ufl.edu
Circular 536 Basic Principles of Landscape Design
ENH-15 Budgeting For a Better Landscape
ENH-25 Native Florida Plants for Home Landscapes
SS-ENH-901 Botany Handbook for Florida, Revised Edition
Thanks for your attention!The following presentation was made possible through a grant from FL DEP and EPA. Special thanks to the following reviewers for their valued contributions:
FL114 ELM Design Team and the FYN Subcommittee
Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, UF
Agriculture Education and Communication Department
Environmental Horticulture Department
Entomology and Nematology Department
Soil and Water Sciences Department
Florida Cooperative Extension Service in: Alachua, Broward, Clay, Hillsborough, Lake, Miami-Dade, Orange, Pinellas, Sarasota, and Volusia Counties
Florida Organics Recycling Center for Excellence
The Center For Wetlands, UF
United States Department of Agriculture
FL Department of Agriculture and Consumer Sciences: Division of Plant Industry