Plant Functions & Aesthetics in Landscaping

• Plant functions in landscaping include aesthetics, clean air/oxygen, shade/comfort, characteristics/usage/function, erosion control, food, and stormwater management.
• Visual impact depends on distance, time, light quality, and health.
• Color is not enduring, while texture is season-dependent, providing shading.

Plant Aesthetics

• Aesthetic characteristics of plants are visual value, impact, and function.
• High visual value plants are upright, bright, and coarse.
• Low visual value plants are dull colored and fine textured.
• Planting materials mitigate soil erosion more than aesthetics or oxygen, so design and assign by function.

Form

• Form, texture and size are all important considerations.
• Consider the health of the plant, if it looks bright or withered and the texture of the tree, form, bark, color of the leaves, if it is fruit bearing or not.

Tree forms

• Form considerations when choosing plants: trees (choose by function, consider mature size & shape), shrubs (consider when massed/mounding/spreading together), groundcover and vines

Common Tree Forms

• Common tree forms are vase, columnar, round, dense and compact (winds can't go through), weeping, and pyramidal.
• Focal specimen plants include arching, columnar, round, and spiky (isolated) forms. Examples include flowering plants or trees and shrubs.

Color Description

• Describe colors based on where/distance viewed and depending on the time of day or night.

Visual impact

• Visual impact depends on distance, time, light quality, and health. Plants with low visual value, dull color and fine texture are less likely to be noticed and fade into the background.

Form Principles

• Use a neutral platform and rather than over trimmed forms
• Consider texture in foliage (leaves), flowers, blades, bark & overall branching pattern
• Size & shape of leaves often determines the perceived texture of the plant.
• Coarse textures are dominant and stand out, medium textures resemble pebbles (not too fine, not too rough), and fine textures are subordinate and unify compositions.
• Choose just 1 or 2 striking/contrasting forms for a focal point, keeping the rest neutral.
• Tall, vertical forms draw the eye upwards and add height, while horizontal forms pull the eye along the horizon, adding width and opening the view/making a room feel more spacious.
• Balance vertical forms with horizontal forms.

Texture

• Properties of texture: coarse (high visual weight) and fine (low visual weight)
• High color contrast highlights texture and makes medium to fine textured plants appear coarse.
• Medium textures can appear coarse amidst fine textures or fine amidst other medium textures.
• To make a space feel larger, locate plants with fine textures along the other perimeter, medium textures in the middle, and coarse textures closest to the viewer.

Texture Stratergies

• Mix textures for balance with color to emphasize plants.
• To emphasize form or color, use the same texture (mono-textured) and choose 1 dominant texture to use throughout the composition.

Plant Size

• Size is the overall height & width relative to other plants/structures.
• Large plants: trees and big shrubs (1.2M to 1.8M+ at mature size).
• Medium plants: typically shrubs (1.2mm to 1200mm HT).
• Small plants: typically ground cover & bedding/ carpeting plants (600mm or shorter in HT).

Size considerations related to form in planting

• Columnar, pyramidal, and upright plants are narrow and occupy less horizontal space.
• Sprawling, arching, and mounding plants use less vertical space.
• Building height, windows, doors, archways, planters, containers, planting near walkways/houses all require size considerations.
• Large plants can make a space feel larger.
• Shade trees should be wide and spreading-canopied, privacy/buffer shrubs should be tall and wide (closely related to form), and plants should be proportional to the area.
• Use a plant size that best fits the location and space (tall, narrow in narrow spaces; wide, spreading in large spaces)
• Interconnect/overlap plant heights but avoid obvious layers of low-mid-high plants.
• Leave a 600mm (min) gap between the house & plant material to provide room to grow, allow air circulation, and maintenance (foundation plants).
• Foundation planting covers the drainage area and is planted within the foundation of the building.
• Large plants cover more space than smaller ones.

Color Considerations

• Color used side by side to emphasize the plant, bolder/vibrant colors are more noticeable

Philippine Forests

• Philippine forest types are classified based on dominant tree species and site/location (e.g., Dipterocarp, Molave, Pine, Mossy, Beach, Mangrove)
• Groupings are determined by main physical habitat characteristics, vegetation structure, and physiognomy.
• Forest types range from coast to mountains and include beach forests (palms, shrubs, ground cover).
• Coastal plants have thick cuticles, protection from solar radiation, canopy based on wind intensity, salt spray tolerance, erosion control capabilities, and shiny leaves
• Native (endemic) vs. naturalized (non-native) vs. invasive plants

Philippine Forest Types

• Forest types in the Philippines: beach forest, mangrove forest, freshwater swamp forest, peat swamp forest, forest over limestone, forest over ultramafic rocks, tropical lowland evergreen rainforest, tropical moist deciduous forest, tropical semi-evergreen rainforest, tropical subalpine forest, tropical upper montane forest, tropical lower montane forest.
• Examples:
  • Forest over Limestone : Coron, El Nido, rocky terrain/mountains type
  • Forest over Ultramafic rocks: Mt. Bahile, Palawan

Mangrove Forest

• Mangrove forest helps to prevent against storm surges.
• It is a habitat/nursery of fishes.
• Density/spacing affects wave attenuation.
• Typically found before coastal forests/plants.
• Restore/replant according to native species and appropriate intertidal zones.
• Native species include Rhizophora apiculata (Bakhauan-lalaki), Mucronata (Bakhauan-bababe), Stylosa (Bakhauan-bato)
  • A vicennia stand: Alba Marina Officinalis Rumphiana
  • C. Sonneratia stand, S. Ovata, D.R. Stylosa, E. Nypa stand, F. mixed species.
• Freshwater swamp forests provide habitat for wildlife(e.g., Candaba Swamp), while peat water swamp forests are more sensitive (e.g., Agusan Peat Marsh).

Forest Environment

• Forests are both dependent on the amount of rain
• Maintenance means not introducing new plants, but keeping existing vegetation.
• Forests over limestone allow plants that only exist in the area, most dominant trees have irregular forms, deciduous crown, and short boled.
• Forests over ultramafic rocks/soils have high concentrations of heavy metals and are a harsh environment.
• Tropical moist deciduous forests have yearly rainwater with distinct dry seasons and thicker barks.
• Tropical semi-evergreen rainforests are dry hill forests with unstressed low branching and uneven low canopy (under 30m)
• Tropical lowland evergreen rainforests have tall, dense evergreen forests, high species variety, with canopy/emergent trees, palms, and lianas

Rainforest

• Tropical lowland evergreen rainforest: usual type of forest in Southeast Asia, typical height (45m), high variety of species (most plants are Dipterocarps)
• They have canopy trees, palms, shrubs, groundspace and Lianas
• Tropical lower montane forests need cold environments

Tropical Forests cont.

• Tropical upper montane forest- and Mossy forest
  • They are preferred nesting sites of eagles, and target of illegal loggers
• Tropical subalpine rainforest - all plants are short Tropical Lowland Evergreen Rainforest
  • High Species Diversity
  • Forest Stratification (Layering)
• 2m Diameter trunks of Dipterocarp Trees
  • Trees fruit are wing-like
• Dipterocarp Trees
  • Trees that have large buttresses
  • Exceeds 40m or more in height
• 45 species are indigenous
  • Apitong, bagtikan, lauan, tangile, guijo, yakal

Rainforest Layers

• Canopy Layer - Collective crown of all tropical trees, almost the same height
  • Most Dominated Substrate to Epiphytes (Orchids, Ferns, Hoyas, Moss, Lichens)
  • Intercepts the rain
• Emergent Layer
  • Towering trees growing above the general layer for the canopy
• Understory
  • Saplings, short erect palms, vines, lianas

Forest Characteristics

• Forests are important for: Cauliflory (Flowers/Fruits Developing along the trunk to attract pollinators, home to many var. Birds), Moderate FLOOD, DROUGHT AND EXTREME TEMPERATURES, Mitigate climate change
• They serve as a major carbon sink
• Provides Resources
• Basis for Culture (IPs) & Belief Systems, Rituals Etc.
• Forest floor features least sunlight, dark/gloomy conditions, complex ecological niche, megafauna, and forest litter/fungus.
• Forests are vital to a healthy environment. Functions include water/air purification, water collection in catchment areas/ watersheds, soil erosion conservation, ES - Ecosystem Services and Watersheds (An area of land that drains all streams & rainfall to a common outlet)

Restoring Forests

• Percolation and Groundwater Recharge are important
• Forest restoration: use native species with reforestation concepts for high success and full ecosystem services (keystone species approach)
• Plant sun pioneer species first, then shade-loving climax species under pioneering species.
• Attempt to reforest urban areas.
• Podium plants include green roofs and balconies-can be planted on a plant box.
• Importance of Green Roofs, Walls, Facades and Green infrastructure for urban areas (to be retrofitted into buildings)

Urban Green Spaces

• Compensate for the loss of urban greenery
• Add Support to Ecological habitats due to the loss brought by developments
• Localized Cooling
• Appealing/Aesthetic Improvements
• Living green roofs offer Ecological, Aesthetics, and Economic Advantages
• Green Roofs Slow Down and Detains Stormwater Runoff, thus Preserving Water Resources and Eliminating the Need for Costly Stormwater Management Systems.
• Lowering Consumption of Energy in Cooling the Building
• Podium planting notes:Include a diverse number of species that can withstand the limitations of an artificially created environment
• To engage and consult suitably qualified and experienced arboriculture.
• Podium Plant considerations: Tall trees with dense canopies experience higher wind loads and moment of force; porous canopies allow wind to pass through, which reduces wind loads and impact (use columnar for windbreaks)
• Small rooftop trees should range from 3-5m; avoid trees with dense canopies as they have larger 'sail effects' (periodic pruning is advised)

Planting

• Green walls, groundcovers, shrubs, climbing vines and cascading plants.
• Indoors plants improve air quality and horticurtulists should be consulted on plant maintenance.
• Acquire knowledge to design interioscapes properly and chose approipriate plants carefully.
• Most plants are planted in pots and dependent on artifical light, irrigation, moisture level, and soil.
• The watering schedule depends on the plant and media used.
• Variegated plants require higher light intensity, while dark green leafed plants requires lower light intensity including plants that don't need to flower.

Interior and Exterior Design

• Light requirements vary and best light source is natural light
• Consider pest and diseases, as well as composition of plants based on needs and aesthetic characteristics
• Exterior will be up to the landscape architects to decide

Interiorscape

• LA is bounded by the building, this opens opportunities.
• Adult Living Centers use plants for therapeutic activity and socializing.
• Healthcare Facilities include foliage plants for Tranquility, Serenity and Shades of Green
• Hotels features plants, accents and pleasing features
• Casinos feature seasonal plants, welcome themes, an opulent feeling
• Educational facilities feauture a calming atmosphere that provide more focus
• Malls/stores- Colorful, Impressive. Plants are a Marketing Technique and helps Holiday Season Display
• Determines the mood and level of luxury, can show effects of financial difficulties, and maintenance
• Museums utilize sculptural planting and dish gardens, but Moisture and live plants/materials are avoided to not damage artworks and collections.
• Offices - Robust Plants in well-designed containers as a sign of financial assurance to clients. Avoid weak spindly looking plants
• Homes - entry statement plant to set the feel
• Restaurants - Ambiance to impress,dirty or declining plants may hint a bad service, help separate tables and reduces noise (Larger Plants in Larger Planters are More Effective)

Interiorscapes Lighting

• Measurements- Footcandles- amount of light emmited by a candle n the center of a circle.
• Apply Available Conversion Table Of Wattage Form Supplier
  • Multiply the Wattage (Choose highest wattage need of plants) by squarefeet of growing area

Lighting

• Light Duration: Most Do Best When Exposed To Light For 12Hrs Per Day, Space With Weaker Light Intensities Should Expose Plants Up To 18Hrs
• Natural light Interior plants do well with a eastern exposure.
• Do not place to closed to glass as it may cause burning.
• Most Plants Should Be Located With The Tips Of The Plants 150-300 Mm From The Light Source
• Reflective Surfaces And Light-Colored Interiors Maximizes The Provided Light
• Plants reach for the sun
• Interior cannot survivce high temperatures
• White is the best Artifical light
• Artificial White light/ LED lights can be customized to change wavelengths and colors.