Transcript Plant and Soil Science Landscape Materials and Techniques Topic

Plant and Soil Science
Landscape Materials and
Techniques
Topic: Planting Ground Cover
and Vines (2214)
Brian Sobecki
Selecting Your Plants
• There are many items to consider when
selecting a plant for landscaping.
• Most people select plants for reasons such
as:
– They were free or on sale.
– They smell or look good.
– The neighbors do or do not have one.
Selecting Your Plants
– Obviously those are poor reasons for making a
selection
– Using those choices usually ends up causing
more headaches.
– Take the time to study landscaping plants, their
need and their habits, will save you money and
time.
Items to Consider.
• Hardiness
• Resistance to disease
• Tolerance to soil conditions
• Growth habit and rate.
• Ease of maintenance.
Ground Covers
• Ground Covers are low growing plants that
spread by underground stems or are naturally
trailing habit.
– They are used to hold soil or slops and helps prevent
erosion.
– They are also used in hard to mow areas, dark shaded
areas.
– Come in a variety of colors and textures.
– Some have flowers or fruits.
Ground Covers
• The most common ground cover is Grass.
– It holds up well under traffic.
– But it needs to be mowed and weeded.
Ground Covers
• Ground covers other than grass can not take the
heavy traffic.
– They do not need to be mowed and only require
light weeding for the first few years.
– Selecting the proper ground cover will depend on
the texture and color that is wanted in that area.
– Takes two years for a ground cover to become
established.
Vines
• Vines are not used as much as they could be
in today’s landscapes.
– They can be used a screens, partitions, and
ground covers and for shade.
– Vines need little space for growing, but do need
support such as a wire, trellises or arbors.
• Vines come in a variety of foliage sizes, shapes, and
colors.
• Some have flowers and some have a nice fragrance.
Vines
• Vines are categorized according to their
method of climbing.
– There are three common methods.
• Tendrils
– Tendrils are slim flexible shoots that wrap around anything
that they com in contact with.
– Wires, trellises, or arbors are good supports to use for this
type of vine.
– Example: Grapes
Vines
• Twining
– Twining vines use their twining stem for
support.
– Wire, trellises and arbors are also good for these
vines.
– Example: Chinese or Japanese wisteria
Vines
• Clinging
– Clinging vines are divided into two categories.
– Some vines use disk like adhesive tips that attach to any
surface. Example: Japanese creeper
– Others use aerial rootlets which dig into rough surfaces.
Example: English Ivy
– Both types climb best on masonry support.
Vines
• There are a few precautions to take when
using vines for landscaping:
• Wooded walls which are used as support can be
ruined by weight and moisture held by the leaves.
• If allowed to grow onto roof they can damage
shingles.
• Bare wire should not be used in sunny areas,
because it will heat up and burn the plant.
• For the best look supports should not be visible.
All Pictures From:
• Shady Oaks Nursery; Plants for Shady
Places.www.shadyoaks.com/home.html