ARCHITECTURE

Planting Design
Planting types and their uses - 2
Structural characteristics of plants

Classification of plants based on dimensions

Classification – Tall height plants and their uses

Classification – Above eye Tree planting and their uses

 Structural Characteristics of Plants

▪ The structural/ spatial

characteristics of plants are
those that contribute to the
space structure of the
landscape.They include
habit, crown shape, foliage
density and speed of growth,
and en masse they
determine the spatial
composition of the planted
environment.
▪ - Nick Robinson
The Spatial Functions of Plants in the Human Landscape

When we are designing spaces for people,

the size of plants relative to the dimensions
of the human figure is critical.

Simply to distinguish areas on a plan by

canopy height amounts to an important
design stage, because it is height that
determines much of the spatial framework
and controls vision, movement and physical
experience.

Credit – TROP landscapes

 The classification of plants
Danish landscape architect
Preben Jakobsen identified the most
useful size categories for the designer as
• ground level,
•up to knee height,
•knee to waist height and
•below or above eye level
https://www.ninestarconnect.com/residential/electric/plant/
When it comes to actual dimensions,
these heights will vary for different
people like adults and children and the
physically challenged .We must
take this into account and allow for their
different spatial experience.
Jakobsen – 5 types of planting based on human dimensions

Ground level - Mown grasses and other turf plants, ground-

hugging and carpeting herbaceous plants
and shrubs.

Below knee height - Prostrate and dwarf shrubs, sub-shrubs, low-

growing herbaceous plants.
Knee–waist height - Small shrubs and medium growing
herbaceous plants.
Waist–eye level - Medium shrubs and tall growing herbaceous plants
Above eye level - Tall shrubs and trees
Above eye level height plants -identification

▪ Shrubs and small trees

with a canopy extending
above eye level form a
visual and physical barrier.

▪ So tall planting with a close knit

canopy can, in a similar way to a
wall or fence, separate, enclose,
screen and shelter on a smaller
scale than is possible with larger Source: https://pixabay.com/p-785145/?no_redirect

tree planting.
Above eye level plants - uses
They make an important design
element which acts like a
phyical and visual barrier

They can also proved as

a backdrop for display planting

They also provide

privacy and shelter
Source: https://c1.staticflickr.com/8/7485/15951036267_90949be081_b.jpg
Above eye level plants - uses
The taller plants also
accompany smaller buidings
Above eye level plants act
as effective elements which can Source:http://s0.geograph.org.uk/geophotos/04/06/64/4066441_151bfb8d.jpg
frame a vista or a landmark.

As an individual element they can

also make a specimen or a
visual focus.

Source:
http://www.publicdomainpictures.net/pictures/180000/velka/wood-pergola-1467044777GSt.jpg
Above eye level plants - uses

Framing pathways
Source:
https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:HTBG_Walkway.JPG

Source:https://c1.staticflickr.com/8/7186/6824941010_0b808f4877_b.jpg
Above eye level – tree planting - identification

The sizes of trees are of

the same order of
magnitude as buildings,
roads, bridges and smaller
industrial developments.
Tree planting can therefore
be used for screening,
separating, sheltering,
enclosing, accompanying
and complementing these Source:https://pixabay.com/p-584031/?no_redirect

larger structures.
Tree planting - identification
For design purposes it is helpful
to divide trees into
Small height trees which are
about 5–10metres in height.

Medium height trees which are

10–20 metres in height and

Tall trees which area 20 metres

Source: http://maxpixel.freegreatpicture.com/Germany-Botanical-Trees-Freiburg-Grass-Garden-92461
and above in height.
Small Trees

Small trees are of similar height

or lower than the majority of
buildings of two storeys, so their
influence in the urban
environment is mainly local to
the spaces between buildings.

Source:
http://maxpixel.freegreatpicture.com/static/photo/1x/China-Xiamen-City-The-Urban-Lan
dscape-1172896.jpg
Source:https://c1.staticflickr.com/5/4123/4799898149_bde4b17a1e_z.jpg
Medium Trees

Medium trees can create spaces

that contain smaller buildings
and therefore have a greater
effect on the spatial structure of
urban landscape.

Source:
http://maxpixel.freegreatpicture.com/static/photo/1x/Urban-Landscape-Vilnius-
Eastern-Europe-Lithuania-1570459.jpg
Tall trees
▪ Tall trees are less common in
urban areas because of the
space they demand, although
naturally tall growing species are
often planted in streets and
gardens only to be lopped or
Source:
pruned once they begin to shade http://maxpixel.freegre
atpicture.com/static/p
hoto/1x/Trees-Yosemi
or dominate nearby buildings. te-Park-Natural-Giant-
Redwood-315741.jpg
Tall Trees

▪ The size of trees over about 20

metres enables them to form the
part of the primary spatial
structure of streets, squares and
parks. In the rural landscape
large trees create a large-scale
Source: https://pixabay.com/p-1209656/?no_redirect

framework.
Trees and their uses

Trees can integrate the

largest structures

They can also act as effective

buffer between activities that
are incompatible with each
other

Source:
https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/d/df/Evacuated_Highway_401_Color.jpg
Trees and their uses
Trees can frame and
They can also screen and separate
emphasise landmarks
larger buildings

Source: https://pixabay.com/p-86184/?no_redirect Source: https://pixabay.com/p-1405242/?no_redirect

Trees and their uses
A single large tree can itself be a A group of trees can complement
Landmark or an important focal building forms
point

Source:
https://c1.staticflickr.com/2/1552/264
68759286_df4a4f60ff_b.jpg
Source:
https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/4/46/San_Jose_California
_Palm_Trees_Lined_Up.jpg
Trees and their uses
Trees can integrated unrelated They can also give vertical
building styles. containment to routeways

Source:
http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_yFM6aPZe1BM/Rhmy-uvwBFI/AAAAAAAAAjo/IRJPWoSDE4g/s Source: https://c1.staticflickr.com/1/49/142698455_d78c7c5d40_b.jpg
Trees and their uses
Trees clumps and woodlands can
emphasise topography
Image Credit: English landscapes
They can create a distinctive
woodland environment within
their canopy
They can also disguise insensitive
earthworks.
Source: https://c1.staticflickr.com/4/3301/3650223400_e3a293fdc3_b.jpg
Summary