Horticulture Principles and Practices

FIGURE 15–1 A landscape on a
college campus combines plants
and concrete elements. (Source: ©
George Acquaah)
15.1 WHAT IS LANDSCAPING?
Landscaping
The use of plants and
inanimate objects outdoors
to fulfill aesthetic and
functional purposes.
Landscaping may be defined as the use of plants outdoors to fulfill aesthetic and functional
purposes. The term is identified with the outdoors, even though plants can be used
to accomplish similar objectives indoors (sometimes called interiorscaping or
plantscaping). Landscaping is an activity in which beauty, as well as function, may be
determined by the customer. To one person, landscaping may mean a couple of fruit trees
or just plants on the property. To another customer, plants in the landscape must not only
be carefully selected but also strategically arranged.
474 Chapter 15 Principles of Landscaping
15.1.1 GOALS OF LANDSCAPING
In fulfilling aesthetic and functional purposes, landscaping may be specifically used to
accomplish the following:
1. Enhance the aesthetic appeal of an area. Home and business environments
can be beautified to make them more attractive and nurturing to the human spirit.
Homeowners can enjoy their surroundings and feel relaxed in the presence of
an appealing display. People can walk in parks and horticultural gardens to enjoy
the beauty of the exhibits.
2. Enhance the neighborhood and increase property value. Homes with curb appeal
have higher property values on the real estate market. Landscaping can transform
a simple structure into an attractive one.
3. Blend concrete and architectural creations into the natural scenery. Buildings
tend to have sharp geometric edges that can be softened with plants. Brick and
mortar in a city can be overwhelming and excessively artificial. Plants can be
used to introduce life into the area.
4. Provide privacy. Landscaping can shield areas such as the backyards of homes,
utility substations, and patios from the general public.
5. Control vehicular and pedestrian traffic. Just as pavements indicate where people
should walk, trees, flower beds, and other features can be used to discourage
people from making undesirable shortcuts across lawns. Trees and other plants on a
median in the street prevent drivers from driving over the structure.
6. Hide unsightly conditions in the area. Plants can be used to create a wall around,
for example, junkyards and storage areas.
7. Modify environmental factors. Trees can be planted to serve as windbreaks
to reduce wind speeds, for example. Similarly, plants can be located to provide
shade, block undesirable light, and modify local temperature.