Right Plant, Right Place: Proper Planting

Many factors influence the design, installation and ongoing maintenance of landscaping, in both public and private green spaces. Not surprisingly, the purpose or function of the site is a major determinant in the choice of plant material.

However, the costs of purchasing and upkeep are scrutinized very closely today. Inexpensive plant materials often seem like the most logical choice. Despite the initial economy of the purchase, they are not necessarily the most cost-efficient choices in the long run because, ironically, it is hard to justify expensive maintenance for a low-cost planting. The result is an area that is over-grown all too soon.

Another possible means of meeting budgetary restraints is the use of low maintenance plants. Indigenous materials are often the choice. Yet, even indigenous plants must be sited in locations that meet their specific requirements -- especially in rural areas and parks -- to be truly successful. It is the natural range of distribution and the genetic quality of the plant material that determines whether the plant or shrub will thrive under any given circumstances, whatever its original habitat.

The least amount of care is generally required for those perennials that still retain many of the characteristics of their wild forebears. Aster divaricatus, Viola (Violet), Geranium macrorrhizum, Ligularia (Golden-ray), Aruncus dioicus (Sylvan Goat’s-beard), Lysimachia (Loosestrife), and many ferns are just a few examples of these hardy plants.

Similarly, ground covers do not have to be limited to Hedera (ivy) or Vinca (periwinkle). There are many other varieties that accomplish the same purpose yet provide a more interesting visual effect, e.g. Alchemilla mollis (Lady’s Mantle), Geranium, Lamisatrum (Dead Nettle), Symphytum (Comfrey), and Waldsteinia (Barren Strawberry).

In short, the truly economical choice is the plant that is viable in the long-term, taking into consideration the cost of herbicides, pesticides, and the resulting impact on maintenance costs.

A MIX IS BEST. Herbaceous vegetation, combined with shrubs and trees, creates landscapes like those designed by Mother Nature, giving a natural feel to public spaces. By contrast, borders composed of just one variety of shrub appear artificial and cannot be kept free of weeds without herbicides.

Also, a combination of plants that have vegetative force will suppress unwanted weeds. That’s not all; other beneficial effects include the following:

• Climatic -- Plantings can act as a windbreak, also protecting against noise and sun. For example, Tilia cordata ‘Roelvo’ (Littleleaf Linden), planted in a group, provides a welcome, shady spot in which to sit.
• Perceptual -- Color, scent and the sound of wind in the leaves adds a special dimension to any landscape; consider Potentilla fruticosa (Bush Cinquefoil), Acer negundo ‘Flamingo’ (Box Elder), Amelanchier lamarckii (Serviceberry), or Cotoneaster praecox ‘Boer’.
• Architectural -- Trees and shrubs can emphasize the spatial effects of a particular site or define a location (i.e. the street with the red-flowered trees); e.g. Acer platanoides ‘Colum-nare’ and ‘Autumn Blaze’ (Norway Maple), Corylus avellana ‘Contorta’ (European Hazel) and Aesculus carnea (Red Horse Chestnut) ‘Briotii.’
• Ecological -- Many plants invite birds, bees and butterflies into urban neigh-borhoods; e.g. Buddleja davidii ‘Pink Delight’ and ‘Summer Beauty’ (Butterfly-bush), Hippophae rhamnoides ‘Leikora’ (Common Sea-buckthorn), and Cornus alba ‘Siberian Pearls’ (Siberian Dogwood) are just a few of the possibilities.
• Cultural/historic -- Some trees and shrubs carry traditional values and habits; e.g. Syringa meyeri ‘Palibin’ (Meyer’s lilac), Hydrangea serrata (a.k.a. H. macrophylla serrata) ‘Benigaku’, and Viburnum opulus ‘Sterile’ (European Cranberry-bush).
• Economic -- Although difficult to quantify, significant use of green space can help attract individuals, industries and companies to an area, thanks to the quality of life imparted by harmonious surroundings.

Thus, the most cost effective approach might be summed up as "the right plant -- shrub, tree, perennial, etc. - in the right place."

PRIME LOCATIONS. There are perennials for virtually every location, providing the plant and location are well matched; i.e. that the plant’s soil, light, moisture, and other needs can be accommodated in the site chosen. Here are a few examples, classified by habitat.

• Woodlands: These are shady to semi-shady areas where the soil is fairly constantly moist, with a top layer rich in humus. Plant choices include Aquilegia (Columbine), Hosta, Dryopteris, Matteuccia and other ferns, and ground covers such as Pulmonaria (Lungwort), Asarum (Wild Ginger), and Tiarella (Foamflower).
• Woodland Margins: Sunny (for only part of the day) or semi-shady conditions prevail here, with sheltering trees and/or shrubs. The soil is humid and rich in nutrients. Choose vigorous and competitive plants; such as Waldsteinia (Barren Strawberry), Aruncus dioicus (Sylvan Goat’s-beard), Geranium macrorrhizum, and Doronicum (Leopardsbane).
• Open Terrains: These dynamic areas feature extremes in light and soil moisture and are often grassy. Newly-planted perennials must be able to compete, be suitable for mass planting, and be able to withstand late summer mowing. Examples include Rudbeckia (especially R. fulgida ‘Goldsturm’) (Coneflower), Centranthus ruber (Valerian), Nepeta (Catmint), and Achillea, especially A. millefolium (Yarrow).
• Wet Sites: These are the areas along streams and ponds with generally sunny to semi-shady conditions by virtue of scattered trees and shrubs. The soil is wet to moist, depending on the season and the location’s height above the water level. Plant choices include: Trollius (Globeflower), Polygonum, Eupatorium (especially E. cannabinum and E. maculatum) (Joe-Pye-Weed), and Acorus calamus (Sweet Flag).

SHRUB AND TREE SITES. An important consideration for the selection of trees and shrubs is whether they will be planted in rural, suburban or urban areas, or even in solitary settings such as parks.

In rural areas, a large selection of shrubs and trees that suit the character of the landscape, prevailing weather, and soil conditions may be planted. The availability of growing space generally is not a problem in rural areas.

• SHRUBS: There are many suitable for rural areas, a few examples are: Cornus mas (Dogwood), Acer campestre (Field or Hedge Maple), Betula pendula (White Birch), Euonymus europaeus (Spindle Tree or Prickwood), Amelanchier (Serviceberry), Fraxinus excelsior (Common Ash), Ilex aquifolum (Common Holly), Castanea sativa (Sweet Chestnut), Lonicera xylosteum (Honeysuckle), Populus tremula (Aspen or Trembling Poplar), Ligustrum vulgare (Privet), and Salix caprea (Goat Willow).
  
• TREES for rural areas include Populus nigra (Black Poplar), Prunus avium (Wild or Black Cherry), Alnus glutinosa or A. incana (Black or Grey Alder), Robinia pseudoacadia (Black Locust), Acer platanoides (Norway Maple), Salix alba (White Willow), Quercus robur (English Oak), Sorbus aucuparia (Mountain Ash), Tilia cordata and T. platyphyllos (Small- or Large-leafed Linden).

In outlying areas such as suburban residential areas, industrial sections, and major roadways are in this category. Although outlying areas may be used for virtually all types of shrubs and trees, small and delicate varieties are not particularly suitable.

• SHRUBS for outlying areas may include Chaenomeles japonica (Quince), Cotoneaster, Hypericum ‘Hidcote’ (St.-John’s-Wort), Mahonia x wagneri ‘Pinnacle’, Kolkwitzia (Beautybush), Berberis aggregata and B. julianae (Barberry), Viburnum rhytidophyllum (Leatherleaf Viburnum), Cornus alba ‘Siberica’ and C. stolonifera ‘Flaviramea’ (Dogwood), Lonicera pileata and L. tatarica ‘Arnold Red’ (Honeysuckle), Ribes sanguineum ‘Atrorubens Select’ (Currant), Philadelphus ‘Virginal’ (Mock-orange), and Weigela ‘Bristol Ruby’ (Weigela).
  
• TREES for outlying areas may include these specific cultivars: Sorbus aucuparia ‘Edulis’, S. intermedia ‘Brouwers’ or S. latifolia ‘Atrovirens’ (Mountain Ash), Acer saccharinum ‘Pyramidale’ (Silver Maple), Ulmus ‘Dodoens’, ‘Lobel’ or ‘Plantijn’ (Elm), Corylus colurna (Hazel), Malus ‘Evereste’ or ‘Rudolph’ (Apple), Prunus avium ‘Plena’ or P. sargentii ‘Charles Sargent’ (Ornamental Cherry), Acer platanoides ‘Deborah’ or ‘Emerald Queen’, or Betula ermanii ‘Holland' or B. utilis ‘Doorenbos’ (Birch).

Residential and urban areas are comprised of built-up residential areas, shopping centers and business districts -- anywhere there is a concentration of buildings. Space is a major consideration.

• SHRUBS: Some suitable types would be Buddleja ‘White Ball’ (Butterflybush), Ligustrum obtusifolium var. regelianum (Regal Privet), Deutzia purpurascens ‘Kalmiiflora’, Ilex x meserveae ‘Blue Angel’ (Holly), Diervilla sessilifolia ‘Butterfly’ (Southern Bush-honeysuckle), Caryopteris x clandonensis ‘Heavenly Blue’ (Hybrid Bluebeard), Perovskia atriplicifolia ‘Blue Spire’, Spiraea japonica ‘Dart’s Red’ or ‘Little Princess’, Potentilla fruticosa ‘Abbotswood’ and ‘Goldfinger’ (Cinquefoil), Clethra alnifolia (Summer-sweet), Stephanandra ‘Oro Verde’.
  
• TREES include Amelanchier arborea ‘Robin Hill’ (Serviceberry), Sorbus aria‘Magnifica’, Prunus hillieri ‘Spire’ (Cherry) or P. maackii ‘Amber Beauty’ (Chokecherry), Crataegus laevigata ‘Paul’s Scarlet’ or C. prunifolia ‘Splendens’ (Hawthorne), Acer pseudoplatanus ‘Atropurpureum’, ‘Leopol-dii’ or ‘Rotterdam’ (Maple), Acer rubrum ‘Red Sunset’ or ‘Scanlon’ (Red Maple), Catalpa bignonoides ‘Nana’ (Southern Catalpa), and Carpinus betulus ‘Fastigiata’ (Hornbeam).
  

Solitary plantings in parks, cemeteries and other public places do justice to big, eye-catching trees and highly decorative shrubs that have attractive flowers, foliage and growth habit.

• SHRUBS include Ilex aquifolium ‘Alaska’ or ‘Golden van Tol’ (Holly), Rhus typhina (Staghorn Sumac), Aesculus parviflora (Bottlebrush Buckeye), Cotinus coggyria ‘Royal Purple’ (Smoketree), Hammamelis mollis (Witch-hazel), Acer japonicum ‘Aconitifolium’ (Fullmoon Maple), Magnolia x loebneri ‘Merrill’, Parrotia persica (Persian Parrotia), or Aralia elata (Japanese Angelica-tree),
  
• TREES for solitary plantings encompass, but are not limited to : Tilia tomentosa (Silver Linden), Gleditsia triacanthos ‘Sunburst’ (Honey Locust), and Aesculus carnea ‘Briotii’, A. flava, A. hippocastanum (especially ‘Baumannii’) and A. polantierensis (Chestnut).