What is the meaning of landscaping?
In an extended sense, everything on your property that stands outside of the home itself is part of a property's landscaping (noun). A related word is "landscape.". When you landscape your yard, you are engaging in landscaping.
What are the different terms used in landscape design?
For that, you will want to become familiar with the terms used in landscape design, such as "focal point" and "texture.". aesthetic. balance. color theory. edging plant. focal point. landscape design. landscape gardening. landscaping.
What does landscape plan mean?
Landscape Plan: A completed landscape design, detailing all elements for the new landscape. This usually takes the form of a drawing on paper. Landscape Fabric: Textile used to suppress weeds, keep aggregate from sinking into mud, and to protect French drains from silt.
Why is it important to know the basic landscape terms?
Knowing at least a few basic landscape terms will help facilitate communication with your landscape designer or contractor. It will help you achieve the look and function you want and avoid an end result that is not exactly what you had in mind.
What does mature size mean?
Some of the definitions by these professionals are: A tree that has reached a desired size or age for its intended use. Complete in natural development or growth. A tree that has a well-developed canopy. Fully developed in the middle half of its usual life expectancy and is still retaining good vigor.
What are mature plants?
In a garden, plants that have grown to their full height or fruit that's ripe are matured. An idea or plan that you've been working on until it's perfect is also matured, once it's truly finished.
How old is a mature plant?
Unlike animals, plants do not have a set age or size where they are considered “mature” or even “old.” Plants have “indeterminate growth.” If conditions are right, they just keeping growing with almost no limitations. Almost! There are two limitations.
What does mature height for a tree mean?
Mature tree means a tree the trunk of, which is over 8 inches in diameter when measured two feet above its base.
Which best describes a mature plant?
A mature plant has leaves, roots, and a stem. The roots extract nutrients and water from the soil. These are carried to the plant by the stem, which also serves to support the plant. The leaves create energy through photosynthesis.
What is matured enough?
1 relatively advanced physically, mentally, emotionally, etc.; grown-up. 2 (of plans, theories, etc.) fully considered; perfected. 3 due or payable.
Do plants feel pain?
Given that plants do not have pain receptors, nerves, or a brain, they do not feel pain as we members of the animal kingdom understand it. Uprooting a carrot or trimming a hedge is not a form of botanical torture, and you can bite into that apple without worry.
How big should my plants be after 2 weeks?
How Big Should My Weed Plants be After 2 Weeks? In most cases your plant should be around 2 to 3 inches tall with 2 to 3 sets of leaves including the cotyledons (seed leaves which are rounded).
How high can a Neighbours tree grow?
In general, there is no specific limit to the height that a tree is allowed to grow, but if the trees form a vegetative screen that is limiting a neighbours usage/enjoyment then it could be a High Hedge issue which Planning Enforcement would potentially get involved with.
Is it better to plant small or large trees?
New research published by the International Society of Arboriculture supports that advice by showing that big trees aren't better for planting. Because small trees experience less root loss when transplanted, they establish themselves more quickly, usually overtaking their larger counterparts after just a few years.
How old is a semi mature tree?
Semi-mature trees are defined by the British Standards Institution and HTA as:- “Trees with an overall height in excess of 4 metres and or a stem girth measurement (circumference) of 20 centimetres or larger.” They will have been transplanted several times and are likely to be more than 10-15 years old. 1.
What does landscaping mean in a house?
By definition, to be properly said to be "landscaping" (verb form) a property, you must be making improvements (or maintaining past improvements) on that property's grounds--either in a practical or in an aesthetic way. In an extended sense, everything on your property that stands outside of the home itself is part ...
What is landscaping in a yard?
Simply put, if you can look out your window and see a fixed feature in your yard affecting the overall aesthetics or practical functioning of your property, then that feature is part of the "landscaping" of the property .
How to find landscaping ideas?
Below are just a few tips for finding home landscaping ideas : 1 Observe what other people are doing with their home landscaping designs. When possible, discuss with them the reasons behind their choice of home landscaping elements and the intentions behind them. 2 Magazines, books, television and the Web all provide an abundance of information on what kinds of home landscaping designs are currently "selling." 3 Consult with a professional in the landscape design field. 4 If you don't want to pay for a landscape designer's advice, at least try to mine some ideas from your local nursery. 5 Real estate agents see the reactions of potential buyers to home landscaping day in and day out; consult with them on trends.
How much does landscaping increase real estate value?
Let's just use the 15 percent number as an example, even though that figure is on the high end. Putting that percentage increase into perspective: for real estate valued in the $200,000 - $225,000 range (before considering its home landscaping), an effective home landscaping design could add $30,000 to its value.
Is landscape design an art form?
But if you are more serious about complementing your house with your landscaping, you really need to take matters to the next level: landscape design, which is essentially an art form (although this discipline never loses sight of practical considerations, as well).
Is a fixed feature in your yard considered landscaping?
Simply put, if you can look out your window and see a fixed feature in your yard affecting the overall aesthetics or practical functioning of your property, then that feature is part of the "lands caping" of the property. Note also that some practical features of one's landscaping, such as underground drainage systems, are of critical importance even though they exist unseen.
Is it a good time to landscape in winter?
Incidentally, don't think that just because it may be a hot and humid day at the time you happen to read this article, talk of "winter scenes" is out of line. The time to work on furnishing your home landscaping with the potential for winter scenes is not when it's cold outside and two feet of snow lies on the ground. It's your spring and summer work that will determine how good your landscaping looks in winter. After all, it's pretty hard to plant ornamental grasses in the winter! Much of your hardscape design work also should be done in good weather.
What is the term used to describe landscape design?
For that, you will want to become familiar with the terms used in landscape design, such as "focal point" and "texture."
What is landscaping field?
Landscaping is a field that is as diverse as a landscape itself. It encompasses many sub-fields, including landscape design, botany, soil science, plant care (arboriculture, etc.), carpentry (building decks, pergolas, etc.), masonry, and pest control. Homeowners researching any of these fields for help with a landscaping project will undoubtedly ...
What is a course in a garden?
Course - A horizontal row or tier of stone, paver, or wood in a wall , patio, or landscape screen. Courtyard garden - A garden mostly or completely surrounded by walls or buildings, perhaps at the entry to a building or meant to viewed from key windows.
What is an annual plant?
Annual - A plant that flowers and dies in one season (think pansies). You would normally purchase an annual just as it begins to flower and then remove it once it is done, or perhaps as seeds. We very rarely include annuals in our landscape designs, preferring perennials.
What is the process of changing soil so more oxygen can enter?
Aeration, Aerator - The process of changing soil so more oxygen can enter, usually by using an aerator, which is a machine that pulls cores from the ground. In Portland we will normally be discussing aerating a lawn that is having trouble taking in soil and water. When should you aerate a lawn? Answer here.
What is decorative rock?
Decorative rock - Rocks chosen for their color or texture and used as a ground cover, walking surface, or focal point. Black beach pebbles, pea gravel, and granite are the most common choices in Portland landscape designs. A wide selection of decorative rock can be found at Smith Rock, Inc and Oregon Decorative Rock.
What is backfill in landscaping?
Backfill - Gravel or dirt used to fill behind a retaining wall or other landscape feature.
What is aesthetics in gardening?
Aesthetics - Very subjective, this is the perception of beauty or attractiveness of a garden space or design. No matter how practical a garden needs to be it also needs to meet a certain threshold of aesthetics. “Aesthetic” may also be used to describe a chosen style or look for the landscape.
What is aggregate stone?
Aggregate - Fractured or rounded stone used as a footing, sub-base, or decorative surface. The most common aggregates in Portland landscapes are 1/4”- gravel and pea gravel. Learn more about types of aggregates here.
What does knowing landscape terms mean?
Knowing at least a few basic landscape terms will help facilitate communication with your landscape designer or contractor. It will help you achieve the look and function you want and avoid an end result that is not exactly what you had in mind. Even if you are not working with a designer and will be doing your landscaping as a do-it-yourself ...
What is a living ground cover?
Living ground covers are low-growing plants or grasses planted to cover bare ground. This might include ground covers used around larger plants in containers or borders, or it might be large swathes of land covered by mass plantings for erosion control.
What is an espalier tree?
In Southern California, espalier is generally used with fruit trees as a way to control growth and, in some cases, grow fruit in smaller spaces. Espalier is used as a noun to describe trees and shrubs that are trained to grow flat on lattice or a trellis against a wall and also as a verb to describe the process of training the trees or shrubs to grow flat against a wall.
What is a veranda in California?
Veranda is a term more often used in the South but sometimes used in Southern California. This landscaping term describes a covered outdoor living area that is attached to the house.
What is a native plant?
Plants that grow in the area naturally and were not introduced to the area are considered native plants. Native plants will thrive with little maintenance needed, which means less irrigation and no need for fertilizing. In Southern California, landscaping with drought-tolerant, native plants conserves water and requires less maintenance while adding texture, color, and visual appeal.
Why do people use raised beds?
Some gardeners choose raised beds because of their orderly visual appeal , while others use raised beds to overcome drainage issues or to better control the soil content and structure .
When do herbaceous plants bloom?
Herbaceous plants have non-woody stems and grow to maturity and bloom in the first year. They will then die back in winter and return in spring to do it all over again.
Understanding Nursery Stock Sizes
Most commonly, growers use caliper, container size, and height (inches or feet) for units of measurement for nursery stock. Why do we need multiple units? Because all plants are uniquely different and grow differently. In any of those 3 size units, it’s safe to equate a smaller number with age, weight, and price.
Nursery Stock: Containers
Container Grown Trees are very popular these days, but not all container sizes are equal. Containers are light-weight, easy to transport in bulk, and allows us to offer certain trees outside of standard harvest dates. A lower container number (i.e #5 Container) generally means a younger, lighter weight, and lower price plant.
Nursery Stock: Tree Caliper
Caliper is the measurement of the diameter of a tree trunk, in inches. These trees are planted as babies in farm fields and grown to more mature sizes. When they’re harvested, the root zone is wrapped in burlap, set in a wire cage to protect the root mass, and safely held together with twine – called balled & burlapped (B&B) plant stock.
Nursery Stock: Heights
Shrubs and evergreens that are larger than a #25 container measure by height - inches or feet. These plants are field-grown, balled & burlapped stock. The concept is the same as our discussion about trees and caliper size above.
Terms For Plant Selection
Terms About Soil and Composting
- Having some knowledge of soil science will help you grow your plants more successfully after you have selected them. But soil science has its own distinct vocabulary. At a bare minimum, you will need to become comfortable with terms having to do with soil pH and soil amendments (compost, etc.). 1. acidity (in soil) 2. aerobic (composting term) 3. alkalinity (in soil) 4. amendme…
Terms About Plant and Tree Care
- Getting plants to grow well is one thing; caring for them is another. Learning terms such as "girdling" will help you avoid costly mistakes when caring for your trees. When hiring professionals to do such work, it is important to realize the difference between pollarding and topping. 1. arboriculture 2. arborist 3. balled and burlapped plants 4. buck 5. cabling 6. chicken wire 7. chilli…
Landscape Design Terms
- Once you have become adept at growing plants successfully and caring for them, you may wish to try your hand at designing with them. For that, you will want to become familiar with the terms used in landscape design, such as "focal point" and "texture." 1. aesthetic 2. balance 3. color theory 4. edging plant 5. focal point 6. landscape design 7. landscape gardening 8. landscaping …
Terms For Hardscaping
- Moreover, when researching hardscape projects, you will come across specialized terms. Do you know how an arbor differs from a pergola? In building a concrete patio or walkway, you will need to find out why a "control joint" is essential and what a "float" tool is used for. Before trying your hand at building a deck, learn about girders and header boards. 1. basket weave brick pattern 2. …
A -
B -
C -
- Cascade- Where water in a stream or vessel hits a point of vertical drop. The height and width of a cascade are major factors in the amount of noise generated by a water feature. Catch basin- A below grade vessel for collecting surface water and then directing it into a drain line or dry well. Also, an area where water pools before falling over the next cascade. Clump- Group of trees, shr…
D –
- Deciduous - A tree or bush (shrub) that loses its leaves in winter. In the PNW there are semi-deciduous or semi-evergreen plants that may lose their leaves depending on how cold the winter is. Abelia and some hebe are good examples. Deck- A flat gathering space, made of wood or composite material (made to look like wood), typically adjacent or attached to a structure. A dec…
E –
- Ecological:Landscape design that is compatible with a sites’ environment in both appearance and sustainability without negative impacts to the environment. Edging: Edging in the landscape is a line of demarcation that creates visual interest in the garden by separating one segment from another segment. This can be aesthetic or functional, keeping one element (such as pea gravel) …
F –
- Fernery:A mass planting of ferns. Fescue: Thicker bladed turf grass that spread via rhizomes. Final grade: The level of soil on your property before bark dust or compost is spread. Fixture (Low Voltage Lighting): The lighting elements of a landscape lighting system. Primary fixtures types are spot lights, path lights, well lights, and underwater lights. Flagstone: Generic term used to descri…
G –
- Garden:Space for growing plants for viewing, eating, or physical activity. Gazebo:A roofed building used over an outdoor gathering space. Germination: The sprouting of a seed, perhaps referring to a lawn that is being grown from seed. Grading:Changing the level of soil for better drainage or to create interest or function. Gravel:Rock product, either rounded or fractured, that is relatively sm…
H –
- Hardscape:Can refer to any “hard” garden elements including statuary or boulders but most commonly is used to refer to paths, patios, and walls. Head : Height difference between the level of water in a pond (or the level of the pump if it sits outside the pond) and the upper outlet of water which impacts performance of the water pump in gph (gallons per hour). Hedge: Dense sh…
I –
- Imaginary Lines:Lines that define spaces within a landscape concept. These often extend from corners or key features of an existing structure. Proper use of imaginary lines can help the landscape feel connected to the home and other elements. Informal:The opposite of formal in the landscape. A more relaxed garden dominated by curved rather than straight bed lines and a less …
L –
- Landscape Architect:Licensed professional who designs landscapes, schooled in engineering and architecture as well as in horticulture. Landscape Design: The art or practice of planning (designing) changes to landscaped areas, either for aesthetic or practical purposes. Landscape Designer:The professional who plans and develops landscape projects, u...