Localscapes Un iversit y: Plants & Site Considerations

Localscapes Un iversit y: Plants & Site Considerations

Hardiness Zone You want to check the hardiness zone for your area, and the hardiness of the plants you are selecting. Most of Salt Lake County was upgraded from a Zone 5 to a Zone 6 in 2012.

Plant Tags Check all plant tags before you buy a plant. Buy plants based off of the botanical name, not the common name. Look for: Size Light Requirements Perennial vs. Annual Water Requirements

Exposure- sunny Site location affects plants Masonry walls retain heat South and West Facing Walls Collect and release heat. This is the best place for heat loving plants.

Exposure- part sun Site location affects plants Morning sun is less intense East Side Walls Can get sunlight for half of the day, but the sun is far less intense

Exposure- shady Shady north side path Shady north side walls Part-shade side yard path

Microclim at es Microclimates The climate of a small area that is different from the area around it. It may be warmer or colder, wetter or drier, or less prone to frosts. Microclimates are very prevalent in side yards and near foundations.

Microclim at es- m oist ure Slopes Plants at the bottom of a slope will generally have wetter conditions than those at the top

The Power of Foliage Foliage A mix of plants with colorful foliage is the secret to a designer landscape

TREES Weeping White Spruce Green Vase Zelkova Trees Provide shade Block unwanted views Provide great multiseason interest

TREES Location Trees should be located outside the lawn for tree health and ease of maintenance.

Passive Solar Summer Wint er

Shrubs Shrubs Low maintenance color Privacy Provides great multiseason interest They are the backbone plant of any good design Sea of Gold Juniper Diabolo Ninebark

Perennials Perennials Provides bursts of color through blooms and/or foliage. Summerblooming mix Water efficiency has to do with large root system

Ornamental grasses Ornamental Grasses Provide movement and sound. Add light and texture Provide winter interest Habitat for birds Alkali Sacaton Flame Grass

Design concept: repetition Repetition Important to unify the design Repetition of foliage color Repetition of bloom color Makes things look organized Create by using the same plant/group OR with repeating color

Grou n d cove rs Groundcovers The carpet of the landscape Creeping ThymeMix Plumbago Living mulch! No need to mow Outcompete most weeds

Bulb s Bulbs Wat erwise Tulips (early spring) Allium (late springsummer) Provide early spring color Amix of bulbs provides color spring through fall Low maintenance

Plant Sch ed ule Plant Schedule Trees Plant Schedule TYPE/ SYMBOL COMMON NAME BOTANICAL NAME SIZE QTY NOTES EVERGREEN T1 A list of plants you wish to use in your landscape, organized by type. WEEPING WHITE SPRUCE PICEA GLAUCA PENDULA 25 H X 6 W 3-6 UPRRIGHT/ COLUMNAR W/ ELEGANT DRAPING FOLIAGE T2 COLUMNAR ATLANTIC CEDAR CEDRUS ATLANTICA ARGENTEA FASTIGIATA FLOWERING T5 25 H X 6 W 2-6 UPRIGHT/ TIGHT FOLIAGE/BLUE-GREEN LOLLIPOP CRABAPPLE MALUS LOLLIZAM 10 H X 6 W 4-2 CAL SMALL GLOBE SHAPE/ WHITE FLOWERS SPRING/ YELLOW FALL T6 WEEPING REDBUD CERSIS CANADENSIS COVEY 8 H X 8 W 1-2 CAL WEEPING/ VIVID PURPLE-RED FLOWERS SPRING/ YELLOW FALL C SHADE T9 LACELEAF ELM ULMUS PARVIFOLIA ALLEE 40 H X 30 W 1-2 CAL DECIDUOUS/ YELLOW-PURPLE FALL COLOR T10 SILVER LINDEN TILIA TOMENTOSA STERLING 40 H X 40 W 1-2 CAL DECIDUOUS/ FRAGRANT SILVER UNDERSIDE TO LEAVES/ YELLOW FALL

The Conservation Garden Park Local Resource http://conservationgar denpark.org/plants

Localscapes Un iversit y: Plant Maintenance

PlantingTimes Fall This is the best time for the plants Smaller selection Spring Also a good time to plant Selection is much greater Summer Plants will struggle to establish

Tree Planting Too high is better than too deep Don t cover the trunk flare Remove burlap and cage Staking is not always necessary

Mulch 2-4 in depth, re-apply as needed Best line of defense against weeds Compost, Bark Mulch, or Gravel

Watering New Plants New plants have small root balls They need water several times a week or more during the first growing season

Watering Established Plants Established plants in a Localscape need on average water one time per week All plants should be watered with drip irrigation Drip Irrigation needs to be run for longer than spray heads You can start out by running drip for 1 hour and adjust from there

Localscapes weed control recipe 1. Water with drip irrigation 2. Apply 2-4 of mulch 3. Avoid soil compaction 4. Minimize soil disruption 5. Use herbicides only AFTER you ve done the first four steps.

Weed control Maintenance Avoid compaction by creating paths or adding stepping stones in beds Minimize tilling as turning the earth brings dormant weed seed to the surface

Weed control- h erb icid e Pre-Emergent Herbicide Granular product Creates a chemical layer that stops weeds from germinating Won t kill existing plants Organic Version: Corn Gluten Meal

Weed control- h erb icid e Post-Emergent Herbicide Glyphosate Kill all for weed control Be careful around ornamental plants Organic version: Vinegar (extra strength)

Skip the weed barrier fabric N o W eed Fabric Weed barrier fabric damages soil and hurts plants. Only works temporarily

Next steps?

Questions?