HCS in Virtual Perspective | Resources | Lecture Notes, etc |

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	HCS in Virtual Perspective | Resources | Lecture Notes, etc |

Chapter Content

Introduction

1. Course Focus
2. Context for the course
3. Functional Attributes of plants
4. Plant Nomenclature
5. Plant Classification

Landscape Plant Classification & Categorization

Common bases:

• natural relationships (taxonomy) - not used by LA's
• botanical features
• size at maturity
• growth habit
• environmental tolerances

Classification based on natural (reproductive) relationships

• Kingdom (Plantae)
• Division (Algae, Bryophytes, Ferns, Seed-plants)
  • Gymnosperms (naked seeds, all are woody plants)
    • Cycads
    • Gingko
    • Conifers (pine, spruce, fir, junipers, arborvitae, etc)
  • Angiosperms (covered seeds, flowers)
    • Monocots (grasses, palms, iris, etc)
    • Dicots (maples, oaks, viburnums, etc)
      
      • Family
      • Genus
      • Species
      • Cultivar

Classification based on botanical features

• bulbs & corms
  • crocus, gladiolus, narcissus, tulip
• ground covers and vines
  • lawn & turf plants - bluegrass, bermuda grass, fescue
  • herbaceous perennials - hosta, bugleweed, pachysandra
  • woody perennials: English ivy, climbing hydrangea, Wisteria
• deciduous shrubs
  • Viburnums, dogwood, forsythia, lilac
• deciduous trees
  • ash, crabapple, magnolia, sugar maple
• evergreen shrubs and trees
  • Broadleaf (holly, rhododendron)
  • Narrowleaf (fir, juniper, yew)

Classification based on size at maturity

• size = one of first considerations in selecting plant for landscape purposes
• shrubs
  • dwarf: under 3 ft
  • small: 3-6 ft
  • tall: 10-15 ft
  • tree-like: over 15 ft
• trees:
  • small: 30 ft or less
  • medium: 30-60 ft
  • large: over 60 ft

Classification based on environmental tolerances

• Tropical
• Subtropical
• Temperate
  • tender
  • hardy

Categorization of Landscape Plants by Environmental Tolerances

• Shade, part shade, sun
• Moist or wet soils, dry or well-drained soils
• Poor, sterile soils or rich, fertile soils
• Acid soils, neutral soils, alkaline soils
• Hot or cool summer conditions; mild or severe winter conditions
• Polluted air, salt spray, ozone