Landscape

Plants

Objectives

List & describe the 6 shapes of

trees.
List & describe the 7 shapes of
shrubs.
Describe the factors that are
important in selecting trees or
shrubs.

Types of Plants

Native plants that are

natural to the area
Exotic Introduced to the area
Naturalized were exotic but
have adapted well to the area
and now occur naturally

Trees

Act as the ceiling for the

outdoor living room (yard).
Provide Shade

Selecting A Tree

Pay attention to:

Height of tree
How low the branches are to
the ground
Density of foliage

Pay attention to:

Whether the tree is
deciduous or evergreen
Seasonal color, foliage
texture, flower and/or fruit
bearing
Hardiness

Pay attention to:

Ease of transplanting
Resistance to Insects or
disease

Types of Trees

Wide-oval
Vase-Shaped
Pyramidal
Round
Columnar
Weeping

Wide-oval

Much wider than tall

Often a small tree
Branches low to the ground
Works well to frame & screen
A focal point plant

Wide-oval

Vase-shaped

High, wide-spreading branches

Usually gives excellent shade
Allows human activity
underneath
Make excellent street trees

Vase-shaped

Pyramidal

Shape is less noticeable as the

trees mature
Accent plant
Large, high branching trees
allow human activity beneath

Pyramidal

Round

Width & Height are nearly equal

Usually Dense
Lawn trees
Can be to create grove effects
If large, can be used to create
heavy shade

Round

Columnar

Much taller than wide

Accent Plant
Frames views & structures
Useful in formal settings

Columnar

Weeping

Very Graceful
Attracts the eye (focal point)
Screens
Not useful if you want to use
the lawn underneath the tree

Weeping

Weeping

Shrubs

Multistemmed
Used as the wall element

Selecting a Shrub

Pay attention to:

The silhouette of the shrub
Its branching structure
Size
Texture & Density
Color Contributions

Pay attention to:

Attraction to birds & other
wildlife
Existing soil conditions
Hardiness
Resistance to attacks by
insects & disease

Types of Shrubs

Globular
Low & Creeping
Spreading
Arching
Pyramidal
Upright & Loose
Columnar

Globular

As wide as is tall
Attracts attention
Accent plant
Use with a single pyramidal to
create a strong eye attraction
Does not mass very well.

Globular

Low & Creeping

Low growing
Much wider than tall
Masses well
Use to edge sidewalks or
cascade over walls
Controls erosion

Low & Creeping

Spreading

Wider than tall

Medium to large shrub
Masses well
Use at corners of buildings
Useful for screening, privacy &
traffic control

Spreading

Arching

Wider than tall

Graceful
Softens corners
Background for flowers &
statues
Provides screening

Arching

Pyramidal

Taller than wide

Attracts attention
Usually evergreen
Use to mark entries

Pyramidal

Upright & Loose

Taller than wide

Used for screening & framing
Used to soften buildings
Can closely space to create
privacy

Upright & Loose

Columnar

Width about half of height

Flat topped & dense
Use for hedges if closely
placed
Mass closely to create a solid
wall

Columnar