When you choose ornamental plants for your landscape, you should consider three things. First, you should know something about the physical and ornamental traits of the plants, such as their size, shape, type and color. Second, you need to know if the plant is hardy in your area. And third, you should consider how you want to use these plants. For example, do you need a shade or flowering tree, a foundation shrub, accent plants, a screen or hedge, or a specimen for a special garden spot?
 
 

PHYSICAL AND ORNAMENTAL TRAITS

 

Size

Ornamental plants grow to many sizes (Fig 1). You may choose from ground cover plants as small as 6 inches, shrubs of many sizes, and large trees to over 85 feet tall. It is very important to know what size plant you want for the landscape planting. The sizes given for these plants are their AVERAGE full-grown sizes. So when you decide on plants that you want, think about how big the plant will be when it is fully grown (Fig. 1). Some trees grow quickly and become large in just a few years, while others grow more slowly and take many years to reach maturity. The plant selection guide makes comments about the growth rate of trees. Remember, however, that growth rate is influenced by many variables, such as soil, drainage, water, fertility and light. The following designations are used in the plant selection guide for trees:

S = Slow, up to 12 inches of growth per year.

M = Medium, 13 to 24 inches of growth per year

F = Fast, 25 or more inches of growth per year.

Some ground covers are more competitive than others for light, water and nutrients and spread aggressively into adjoining areas. Aggressive growth of ground covers in the selection guide is designated yes (Y) or no (N).

Shape

Plants also grow to many shapes. Some plants may grow tall and thin, while some may be short and rounded, and still others are very low and spreading. Many words are used to describe plant shapes and forms. These drawings have been included to help show the various forms of landscape plants (Fig. 1). The following designations are used on the CD for each plant about growth habit:

I = Irregular

O = Oval

P = Pyramidal

R = Round

S = Spreading

U = Upright

W = Weeping

Color

When we imagine plant color, most people think green. This is a natural response because most plants are green. But there are many shades of green, such as the bright yellow-green of a privet shrub, the gray-green of junipers, and the dark blue-green of the hollies. And many plants have other colors. The leaf color of many trees and shrubs will change with the season of the year. This adds interest and offers a pleasant color change to the landscape. Many plants have colorful flowers or berries. Examples of plants used for flower color include azalea, forsythia, hibiscus, lilac, spirea and quince. Examples of plants used for their colorful fruit include cotoneaster, holly and viburnum. So when considering plant color, be sure to think about flower and fruit color along with the foliage color. The following designations are used in the plant selection guide to indicate when the seasonal ornamental traits of foliage color, flowers, fruits or bark reach their peak display:

Sp = Spring

Su = Summer

F = Fall

W = Winter