Plantscape Plans: Maximizing the beauty of your outdoor space

In our previous discussion we detailed the value of hardscape design plans.

Hardscape plans consider all the hard surfaces in the outdoor space such as

driveways, walkways, architecture, patios, decks, pools, etc. These engineered

features are the foundation for most outdoor projects but represent just one of

three necessary features in the outdoor space and by themselves are inadequate.

The addition of living plants provides the second element in the creation of the

perfect outdoor space.

When considering a planting plan, often clients struggle to define what they want.

Plants, like other design elements in the outdoor space, have more than just

aesthetic value. Unique colors, textures and fragrances give the outdoors a living

and constantly changing tapestry of life that enhances the lives of each one of us.

Plants provide architectural scale, screen neighbors and unsightly utilities, soften

the noise of busy streets and provide evapotranspiration, which cools us on hot

summer days. Trees provide elevated platforms on which to build play structures

or install hidden downlights for nightscaping. Shrubs hide ugly foundation walls

and direct foot traffic. Groundcovers and perennials hold ground moisture in the

soil, minimize weed growth and soften hardscapes. Certain plants attract beneficial

insects and wildlife into the backyard space while other plants repel mosquitos and

deer from foraging.

The functionality of plants, while forming the basis for a planting plan, is not the

only goal in our choices of plants. I have had the pleasure of working with many

clients over the years who were real plantsmen or plantswomen. They brought a

rich heritage of planting design to our projects and I have learned much through

their stories and experiences. Often, a particular plant is incorporated into the

landscape because it brings to memory a past loved one who had this plant in his or

her yard. Such emotional connections are strong and add an almost spiritual

element to the design of my client’s outdoor spaces.

What does a planting plan look like? Planting plans are comprised of two parts. The

first part is a two dimensional layout of the planting beds on a landscape plan

showing the hardscape features with specific plants located on plan. This layout

provides my clients and planting crew with specific roadmap for which plants are

planted where. The second part of the planting plan consists of a series of planting

boards that depict actual colored images of my recommended plants. The boards

include specimen trees, screening trees, shrubs, perennials, annuals, groundcovers

and occasionally edible plants.

Each board includes images of plants for a specific planting space to allow the

clients to better understand the color and textural composition of the plant group.

Specimen tree options include images of trees with spring flowers, summer foliage,

fall foliage, fruit or berry images, if applicable and winter view of bark and branch

structure. I choose trees that have four-season interest and often position them

where my clients can enjoy their view out a bedroom or kitchen window throughout

the year. Certain trees are most beautiful in the winter season with exfoliating bark

covers with a light dusting of snow than at another time. Other trees are awash with

crimson berries in the fall season while others are covered in bright tulip like flower

as harbingers of spring. Regardless of species, size or age, each plant has a unique

place in the landscape and will only grow more beautiful with age.

While trees, shrubs and perennials have many functions in the landscape, perhaps

none is so valuable as the ability to cause us to forget everything else in our chaotic

world and focus on the innate beauty of life itself. Well-designed planting plans also

function to provide homeowners and installer with a well-defined road map for

softscape installation but they provide the opening page for something much more

valuable to come. To schedule a no-cost initial consultation to discuss the process

and value of a planting plan for your home call us at (978) 828-5962.