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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