植物空间之种植设计

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原文

SPACING OF PLANTS

As living thing, plants vary in size according to age. This ever changing factor presents problems to the architect. Some clients want a landscape that will look mature as soon as it has been installed; and, if they can afford it in their budget,

large-sized plants can be selected that may be several years of age. The general tendency is to place young plants too close together, without anticipating the ultimate size of the plant.

The designer should learn to think in terms of three categories of plant size. Besides knowing the nursery size, the size at which plants are commonly sold, the designer plans for their full size at maturity (or old age), but also familiarizes

him/herself with their “average” mature size. Full size will vary according to the planting location and soil factors. Under ideal site and soil conditions, a particular tree may grow to a height of 100 feet, but the particular characteristics of a site may restrict the tree’s growth to an ultimate height of 60 feet. If the tree is planted in a raised, enclosed planting bed, this will restrict its ultimate height even more, and probably will shorten the tree’s life-span as well.

Generally, most designer will base the plant spacing on their plans according to the average mature growth of the plants, and thus can achieve a design that looks full and mature before the plants reach their ultimate maturity. IN some projects it is best to space plants very close together for immediate effect. Hedges and privacy screens are examples of planting in which a dense appearance is so important that the designer may plan for close spacing even of young plants.

THE USE OF FLOWERS IN PLANTING DESIGEN

For the moment, let us confine our discussion to flowers such as perennials, annuals, and bulbs, instead of the flowers of trees, shrubs or groundcovers. Flowers require a great deal of maintenance, in return for which they provide considerable visual and aesthetic appeal, and most homeowners insist on providing some space for them in a garden design. The smaller or reduced scale of the residential garden allows intimate contact with flowers, which can be manipulated frequently and freely and give a kind of care not needed for other plants. However, most corporate, institutional, and governmental clients will limit the use of flowers to areas of special interest or positions of maximum exposure, because of the cost of their maintenance.

Generally, flowers should be planted against a background of shrubs or along a fence or wall. In a planting bed the lowest flowers should be placed in front, with one or more masses of flower color will continue throughout the season, but attention also should be given to avoiding clashes between adjacent colors that do not harmonize. CONTAINER PLANTING

Containers offer an opportunity to place plants in situations where they might other-wise not be used. This includes flowers, trees and shrubs.Containers also make it possible to add a three dimensional or sculptural element to areas that are flat and uninteresting. A plant in a container can easily be used as a focal point. Because of their portability, containers can incorporate plants that may not be hardy and thus