cyprus international university - faculty of fine arts -

department of architecture / interior architecture

landscape plant materials

arct / inar 307 – introduction to landscape architecture

 landscape plant materıals

• a plant material used architecturally

within a design to define space, screen
views and provide privacy.
 different visual plant characteristics

• PLANT SIZE
- trees
- shrubs
- groundcovers
- vines
- annuals & perennial

• FOLIAGE TYPE
- deciduous tree
- coniferous evergreen tree
 plant size

• trees

- large:
12m or more / focal point / shade

- intermediate:
max. height 9m-12m / shade

- small & ornamental:

max. height 4.5m-6m / shade/ define space
 trees - symbolic forms

colomnar upright oval rounded

spreading vase pyramidal weeping

trees
 trees - sizes

small trees large trees

• trees taller than 20 m are usually preferred in
wide spaces such as town squares and large
parks. when planting, the full grown size of the
trees should be noted in order to avoid future
problems.
 plant size

• shrubs
don’t have trunk / close to ground

- tall shrubs:
max. height 3m / no canopy / border elements /
define space / accent / background

- low shrubs:
1m or fewer / connection / used in large masses
to be noticed
shrubs - symbolic forms
shrubs
 shrubs - sizes

small shrubs medium shrubs

large shrubs
• function of lower shrubs
- lower shrubs are 1 m or less in mature
height.
- low shrubs can be used compositionally to
connect unrelated elements visually.
- they can be used to make contrast with
taller components as well as decrease the
scale to smaller level.
- because of their size, low shrubs need to
be use in large masses to creating visual
significant.

• function of intermediate shrubs

- visual transition in a composition between
tall shrubs and low shrubs
 plant size

• groundcovers

- low / spreading plant material with max. 15-

30cm

- define the edges

- define non-walking surfaces

- connect unrelated parts of composition

groundcovers
groundcovers
groundcovers
• function of ground cover
- ground cover often use in an
exterior space to delineate the
edges of patterns on the ground
plane
- it unifies or combines the
composition
 plant size

• vines
- create shade

- used on vertical surfaces

(walls, pergolas)

• annuals and perennıal

seasonal or yearly plants like flowers
vines
vines
• functions of vines
- they can block the unwanted views
- they can create overhead space
- they can provide visual attraction
annual plants perennıal plants

cauliflower
petunias

peas orchid
 foliage type
• form and performance of the foliage
 foliage type

• deciduous tree

- loose their leaves in autumn and regain them in

spring

- they are emphasized the season

- several type of notable flower & colour

- main characteristics: distinct branch /

observable during winter
 deciduous tree

deciduous tree in summer deciduous tree in winter

 deciduous tree

oak in spring oak in autumn

 foliage type

• conıferous green trees

- needle like foliated that retains its leaves

throught the year

- because of their intensity, they are affecting

in blocking views and air circulation (prevent
winter wind)

- create privacy
 coniferous evergreen trees

pine spruce