ENH119

Gail
Hansen2

S Step 1: Concept/functional plan

E L EC T I N G AN D PL AC I N G plants in the
is
landscape
the art and science of arranging plant material to
make a healthy, functional, and beautiful yard. Developing a conceptual plan that shows the proposed
mix of science and art is expressed in the guiding principle general layout of the plant material is the first step in the
The
of “right plant, right place,” meaning to select plants that process. The conceptual plan is based on the site analysis
can thrive in the growing conditions of the site and locating and the needs of the person or family using the space. This
them for both visual appeal and health. Selecting and ensures that the plan is based on the site conditions and
arranging plants are the last steps in the overall design the desired function of the plants. See Landscape Design:
process after the site analysis is complete and the activity Analyzing Site Conditions (http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/ep426) for
areas located and designed.Developing the planting plan is more information on site inventory and analysis. Figure 1
a sequential process, but it is important to remember that is a conceptual plan that shows the location of plant
the process is not completely linear; sometimes decisions material with functional notes to create shade and privacy,
about plant material require reworking previous steps in control views, hide unsightly utilities, and draw attention
the sequence and making adjustments to the plan. The to the front entry as a focal point. The labels that describe
process begins with developing a functional plan that shows the function of the planted areas guide the selection of
the general concept for the landscape. plants to best serve the function, such as wide canopy
trees for shade and interesting and colorful plants for the
focal point.

FIGURE 1. The concept/functional plan shows the layout and desired function of plants. (Credit: Gail Hansen)

This document is ENH1195, one of a series of the Environmental Horticulture Department, UF/IFAS Extension. Original publication date January 2012. Reviewed April 2018.
1

Visit the EDIS website at http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu.

2
Gail Hansen, assistant professor, Environmental Horticulture Department, UF/IFAS Extension, Gainesville, FL 32611.

The Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (IFAS) is an Equal Opportunity Institution authorized to provide research, educational information and other services
only to individuals and institutions that function with non-discrimination with respect to race, creed, color, religion, age, disability, sex, sexual orientation, marital status,
national origin, political opinions or affiliations. For more information on obtaining other UF/IFAS Extension publications, contact your county’s UF/IFAS Extension
office.

U.S. Department of Agriculture, UF/IFAS Extension Service, University of Florida, IFAS, Florida A & M University Cooperative Extension Program, and Boards of
County Commissioners Cooperating. Nick T. Place, dean for UF/IFAS Extension.

Reviewed: 06/2022
Step 2: Master plant list Start the master plant list with familiar plants that you
know thrive in the area. Observe landscapes in your
Creating a master list of possible plant materials for use neighborhood or community and learn about the plants
in the planting plan is the second step in the process. The you would like to use in your yard. When selecting plants,
first consideration is to choose the right plants for the make sure they are locally available. Consult several sources
site conditions. Refer to the site analysis to determine for information on the growth habits and requirements of
the growing conditions in each area of the yard and the plants. Additional information about plant selection
match plant choices to those conditions. Remember to is available from your local county Extension office (www.
consider light requirements (sun or shade) for each plant solutionsforyourlife.com/map) or on the Florida-Friendly
as well as soil and water requirements. Also consider website, http://fyn.ifas.ufl.edu/publications.htm, where you
the USDA Hardiness Zone and the temperature ranges can download The Florida-Friendly Landscaping™ Guide
for the area. See Right Plant, Right Place: The Art and to Plant Selection & Landscape Design for a complete list
Science of Landscape Design – Plant Selection and Siting of Florida-Friendly plants. Make sure to choose plants
(http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/ep416) to learn more about the appropriate for the USDA Hardiness Zone, soil pH, and
science of selecting plants for growing conditions. Once moisture and light conditions noted on the site inventory
growing requirements are satisfied, consider the visual and analysis. Basic information on the plant list should
characteristics of each plant as you create the list. include the general size, plant texture, shape, color of
flowers and/or foliage, and required light conditions.
Don’t forget the existing plants in the landscape. Depending Additional information can include the mature height
on the health of the existing plants and the new layout for and spread, seasonal changes, and the bloom period. This
activity spaces, some of the existing plants may need to information is useful when arranging plants for
be removed or relocated. Any healthy existing vegetation aesthetic appeal. See Landscape Design: Aesthetic
that can be used with the new plan should be considered Characteristics of Plants (http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/ep433)
for saving, and all old, unhealthy, or overgrown plants and for guidelines on
invasive exotics should be removed. Consider relocating selecting plants for visual appeal. Group the plants on your
plants that may not be at their best but would benefit from a list based on type and function, such as trees (structural
better location. or focal), shrubs (structural), and groundcover (massing).
List a reasonable number of proposed plants in different
Mature trees are the most important existing vegetation.
sizes. The goal is to have a good selection without being
Decide which trees you would like to keep and try to work
overwhelmed by the variety of choices (Table 1). Table 1 is
the planting plan around them. Mature, healthy trees
an example of a partial plant list with plant characteristics
add value to your property and beauty and function to
for easy reference when selecting final plant choices.
your yard. Trees with large shade canopies help cool the
home and reduce the need for air conditioning. Trees also
influence the type of plants and turfgrass appropriate for Step 3: Preliminary planting plan
shady conditions. If you are unsure about keeping trees, Preliminary plans show the proposed layout of the
consult an arborist to determine the health and projected individual plant material. The quick sketches are used
longevity of the tree. If trees could present a problem in the to explore different layouts and arrangements to get a
future because of location or size, it is best to remove rough idea of the size constraints and best locations for
them while they are small. plants. Several preliminary plans are often used to create
one final plan, taking the best ideas from each plan. Use
simple circles and free-form lines to indicate plant material
location and size. Color palettes can also be tested by
using colored pencils to draw the plants (Figure 2).

F I GURE 2 . Preliminary plan that shows plant beds, tree locations, and color combinations. (Credits: Gail
Hansen)
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 • Use floating plant beds (beds not connected to a building
Step 4: Locate and draw plant beds or walkway) to create spaces and locate structural
Use the preliminary plan to start developing plant beds on plants, such as large trees, in the yard.
the base map where plant material will be located,
typically around buildings, on the edges of sidewalks and • Create “spaces” by using bedlines to define the edge of
driveways, along fence and property boundaries, and open sod or mulch areas. These open areas or voids in
around features in the landscape, such as pools and patios. the landscape are used for recreation and entertaining or
Plant beds as
are traditionally curvilinear and follow the form of the a simple open foreground area that highlights the more
building, driveway, or walkways. The meandering bedline complex plants in the background.
typically undulates to create deep and shallow beds for a
natural look (Figure 3). General rules for drawing bedlines Once the plant beds have been defined, they need to be
for plant beds include the following: filled with plants. There is a logical order to placing the
plants, depending on the type of plant and the role it plays
• Use the arc and tangent to generate the form of the plant in the landscape. Large plants, such as trees, which separate
bed edges. spaces by creating implied walls, are called structural
plants because they provide structure in the yard. They
• Create dramatic, sweeping curves when drawing on the
are also long lived and permanent through the seasons, so
paper. Shallow curves on paper tend to look like straight they add stability to the garden. These are the first plants to
lines when standing in the yard and viewing the plant be located on the plan. Focal or anchor plants are located
bed. Shallow beds are typically used on the side of the next. These are plants that are strategically located to
building where property lines constrain the depth of the create emphasis, attract attention, or provide an anchor in
bed. the various plant beds. The last plants to be placed are the
massing plants, which fill in the plant beds and make up
• Use the shape of the building and the hard surfaces to
the majority of the plants in the beds. For more information
guide the location of the bedline. Draw a wide arc on the about arranging plants, see Landscape Design: Arranging
corners of buildings, walkways, and patios to provide Plants in the Landscape (http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/ep449).
enough room for larger plants.

• Note that plant bed depth typically ranges from 5 feet for Step 5: Locate structural plants
a shallow bed to 30 feet for deep beds. Structural plants are large trees and shrubs. The trunks
of the trees act as implied walls to separate the activity
• Use very wide, deep curves (1/2 or 3/4 circle) on outside
areas of the yard or to create a screen along the property
and inside corners. line (Figure 4). Trees also provide enclosure overhead with
branches and canopies to give a space human scale.
• Note that plant beds that originate at a building or
There are several guidelines to follow when locating trees:
hardscape edge should begin perpendicular to
the straight edge before beginning the curve. • Make sure the size of the mature trees and shrubs is
proportional to the building and the overall size of the
• Locate plant beds under trees just inside the drip line
site. Tall buildings and large sites need tall and large trees
(the outside edge of the tree canopy) of the tree for
for balance.
aesthetic and protection purposes.

F I GURE 3. Bedlines with a curvilinear form flow around the building corners and walkway. (Credits: Gail
Hansen)
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F I GURE 4 . Locate trees to create shade, block or frame views, and create spaces. (Credits: Gail
Hansen)
• Give the trees and shrubs room to grow. Don’t locate • Locate plants in view of natural sight lines, such as the
them too close to buildings and sidewalks or patios. end of a walkway or the view from a window or door,
a patio, or the sidewalk and street.
• Locate trees to provide shade over the air conditioner
and help conserve energy by blocking sun on the east and • Place a focal point opposite an unattractive area to divert
west sides of the building. attention from the poor view.

• Avoid locating structural plants where falling leaves, • Limit the use of focal points. Too many can cause
fruit, or twigs will create a problem. confusion about where to focus attention and make the
eye jump around the space.
• Use trees to block unsightly views or frame an attractive
view. • Use other elements with the plants for the greatest
contrast. Brightly colored ceramic pots are a good choice.
• Consider how the color, texture, and form will look with
the building colors and materials. • Use structures and features such as trellises, sculptures,
and birdhouses among plants as focal points.
• Use the large mass of the tree canopy to balance the mass
of the building. • Create a focal point with a nice composition of colorful
plants. Grouping colorful plants at the front door is a
• Locate plants to avoid power lines and underground good example.
utilities, such as water lines and septic systems.
Step 7: Locate massing plants
Step 6: Locate focal and anchor plants Massing plants are the medium and small shrubs and
Focal/anchor plants can be medium to large shrubs and groundcover that fill out the plant beds. These plants make
small trees. They are considered both focal and anchor up most of the plant material in the beds and should
plants because they can serve as a focal point and an anchor have a variety of textures, colors, and shapes for interest.
for plant beds. Anchor plants are sometimes called “theme One approach to locating massing plants is to draw free-
plants” because they most often establish the design theme form or irregular “bubbles” within the plant beds to show
for the yard. Focal plants are characterized by an unusual the location and extent of a particular plant cluster
shape, color, or texture that contrasts with other plants. (Figure 6). Guidelines for using bubbles to represent plant
Focal plants attract attention to a particular area of the yard location include the following:
or, through careful location, lead the eye around the yard
(Figure 5). Anchor plants provide unity through repetition • Use horizontal and vertical layering. Vertical layering is
in the plant beds. There are several considerations when the use of a variety of heights for interest, and horizontal
locating focal/anchor plants: layering is the use of plant masses within beds.

• Choose plants that have high contrast with surrounding • Draw bubbles to indicate the horizontal layers along the
plants. ground plane so they touch each other and overlap in
offset, interconnected layers.

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F I GURE 5 . Focal/anchor plants direct views and establish a theme. (Credits: Gail
Hansen)

F I GURE 6. Draw irregular “bubbles” to indicate where massing plants will be located. (Credits: Gail
Hansen)
• Keep in mind that the greater the depth of the plant bed,
the greater the number of horizontal layers. A shallow
Step 8: Specify plant characteristics
bed may only have one or two layers, while a deep bed The next step is to specify the aesthetic characteristics of
may have six or seven layers. the plant that will be placed in each bubble. Label each
with the flower or foliage color, the desired texture, the
• Draw the shape of the bubble as the desired shape of form, the height and size, the type of plant (e.g., shrub,
the mass because each bubble represents a different annual, or perennial), and the seasonal characteristics,
mass or cluster of the same plant. such as evergreen or deciduous. See Landscape Design:
Aesthetic Characteristics of Plants (http://edis.ifas.ufl.
• Draw the first bubble on the plan next to a building, edu/ep433) for more information about using plant
fence, or hardscape edge because this is a fixed edge that characteristics to develop plant compositions. Below are
does not allow flexibility in the bubble shape. some general guidelines to follow as you select plants based
on characteristics:
• Work the bubbles out into the landscape toward the plant
bed edge where there is more flexibility. Both the edge of • Start with the structural plants and focal plants. These
the bed and the bubbles can be reconfigured throughout plants have a high functional value, so consider the
the process until a good fit and form are created. function first (e.g., shade or a focal point) and think about
the height, shape, and seasonal variation that affect the
• Typically, it is better to mold the shape of the bubbles to function.
fit in the plant beds.
• Develop a smooth transition across the top of the plants
from the tallest plants to the lowest plants and back, both
from front to back and side to side.

Landscape Design: Drawing a Planting Plan 5

• Balance the distribution of deciduous and evergreen growing conditions first. An aesthetically pleasing plant
plants, as well as perennial and annual plants, so there is of no use if it will not survive and thrive in the desired
are no large gaps when plants go bare or go down in location. In more restrictive growing conditions, such
the winter. as deep shade or very moist soil, the growing
requirements
• Give structural plantings (trees and shrubs) the highest may limit plant choices. Review the visual characteristics of
percentage of evergreen plants to maintain the structure the final plant choices to ensure a good variety of textures
and organization of the garden. and forms for interest and a mix of colors that supports
the color scheme. Once you have determined the plant for
• Place larger plants with less detail farther away from the each bubble, the individual plants must be drawn to show
viewer (to the back of the plant bed), and place plants the exact location and size of each plant. The landscape
that have finer detail and more interest for close-up installer or homeowner will use the plan to locate the plant
viewing in the front of the bed or closest to the viewer. in the field and to purchase the correct number of plants.
The technical process for drawing the plants is as follows:
• Remember the activities that take place adjacent to the
plant beds (i.e., use plants with a neat growth habit next • Draw each plant as an individual circle with a diameter
to walkways [avoid sprawling plants], and choose soft the same size as the width of the mature plant. A plant
plants with no thorns near play areas). with a 2-foot spread at its mature size is represented with
a circle drawn at a 2-foot diameter at the scale of the
• Keep in mind the color scheme, and balance the plan, which is typically 10 scale (1 inch equals 10 feet, 0
distribution of color by location and through the seasons. inches).
Remember, color is temporary and should only be used
to enhance the planting. The composition should be • Represent the spacing of the plants (circles) on the plant
pleasing without color. schedule by noting the distance between the centers of
the circles (i.e., the center of the plants) as measured
• Create interest by including a variety of heights, shapes, from center to center of the plant. For example, a plant
and textures. Achieve unity through the careful location spacing of 2’ o.c. (2 feet on center) means that plants
of each. with a 2-foot mature spread are planted 2 feet apart from
center to center, so they touch when at their mature
After the structural and focal plants have been described, size.
specify the plants in the bubbles closest to the house,
using the color and texture of the building as your starting • Fill the bubble with plants by staggering the circles in
point. For example, if the wall façade is a light-colored a rickrack pattern to fit the plants as closely as possible
rough stone, the plants next to the wall could contrast by (Figure 8).
using dark green, smooth foliage, or blend by using light
green, rough-textured foliage. Once you have described • Draw the first plant next to the building or a hard edge
the first bubble, move to the adjacent bubble and label and work along the edge or edges, then out into the
it. As you progress from bubble to bubble, keep in mind bubble until it is filled.
the characteristics of the surrounding plants. Work
back and forth between bubbles until you have the right • Distinguish circles of the same size that represent
combination of characteristics and all bubbles are labeled different plants by using different symbols (see graphic
(Figure 7). Remember, a number of plants on the list will plan, Figure 9) or a different color to be graphically clear.
fit the characteristics, so there is flexibility throughout the
process. • Continue filling the bubbles with the plant symbols until
all the plants have been organized.
Step 9: Select plants and draw on the • Make adjustments to the outside edge of the plant bed
plan or in the number of plants in the bed as necessary to
maintain the form of the plant bed.
Each plant mass is assigned a plant from the master
plant list based on aesthetic characteristics and growing
requirements. Review the list and select the plant that
matches the most possible aesthetic characteristics listed
for each bubble. Also, match the growing requirements
for each plant to the site condition for each bubble. For
most growing conditions, there is typically a wide choice
of plants, so the final decision is usually based on aesthetic
characteristics. Remember, however, to always consider the
Landscape Design: Drawing a Planting Plan 6
F I GURE 7. Describe the type of plant and the aesthetic characteristics of each plant mass. (Credits: Gail
Hansen)

FIGURE 8. Circles in the bubbles represent the individual plants in the plant bed. (Credits: Gail
Hansen)

F I GURE 9. All the bubbles are filled with circles to represent beds with complete plant coverage. (Credits: Gail
Hansen)
Step 10: Labels and plant schedule of the plant symbols in the mass to a blank space on the
plan where the count and name can be written. Draw the
Each symbol represents a different plant that must be leader lines as short as possible and don’t cross lines to
identified by a count and the name of the plant. The avoid confusion. Labels can be drawn in the footprint of
count represents the number of plants that are in the the house or any open area on the plan and outside of
cluster or mass (Figure 10). After all the plants have been the property boundaries of the plan. For clarity, it is best
identified and counted, the total number of each type of to
plant is determined by adding the count of the separate keep all of the text at the same angle and group the labels
plant masses together. Leader lines are drawn from one so they are easier to find on the plan.

Landscape Design: Drawing a Planting Plan 7

F I GURE 10 . All plants are labeled by the total count and plant name. (Click image to enlarge) (Credits: Gail
Hansen)
The final plant schedule is a list of all the plants on the plan
with the total quantity for each plant. Each plant is listed
Additional Resources
by the common name and the scientific name. Common Austin, R. 2002. Elements of Planting Design. New York:
names can vary, and some plants have more than one John Wiley & Sons.
common name, so the scientific name is required to ensure
Bertauski, T. 2005. Designing the Landscape: An
that the correct plant is purchased by the homeowner or
Introductory Guide for the Landscape Designer. Upper
installer. The size of the container for each plant and the
Saddle River, NJ: Pearson Prentice Hall.
spacing for installation is indicated. The spacing shows the
distance from center to center of each plant at the time
Booth, N. 1990. Basic Elements of Landscape Architectural
of installation. Table 2 shows a typical plant schedule for
Design. Prospect Heights, IL: Waveland Press.
pricing and installation.
Scarfone, S. 2007. Professional Planting Design: An
Key concepts to remember Architectural and Horticultural Approach for Creating
The key concept to remember when drawing a planting plan Mixed Bed Plantings. New York: John Wiley & Sons.
is to select the right plant and locate it in the right place.
Thomas, H., and S. Wooster. 2008. The Complete Planting
Selecting plants requires consideration of the growing
Design Course: Plans and Styles for Every Garden. London:
requirements that match the site conditions, the aesthetic
Octopus Publishing Group.
characteristics of the plant (color, texture, form, and size),
the functional role of the plant, and the maintenance
Walker, T. 1991. Planting Design. New York: Van Nostrand
requirements of the plant. This concept is referred to as the
Reinhold.
art and science of planting design.

Landscape Design: Drawing a Planting Plan 8

TABLE 1. Proposed plants with physical characteristics listed for easy
reference
TYPE COMMON NAME SCIENTIFI TEXTURE SHAPE COLOR LIGHT
C NAME
TREES
Large Fiddlewood Coarse Round Green Full sun
Large Peregrina Jatropha Fine Vase Red Full sun
integerrim
a
Medium Winged elm Ulmus alata Fine Irregular Green Full sun
Medium American holly Ilex opaca Medium Pyramidal White Partial sun
PALMS
Large Cabbage palm Sabal palmetto Coarse Palm Medium green Full sun
Small Dwarf palmetto Sabal minor Coarse Clump Light green Partial sun
SHRUBS
Large Dwarf Walter’s Medium Upright Green Partial sun
viburnum
Large Yaupon holly Fine Weeping White Partial sun
Medium Thryallis Galphimia glauca Fine Vase Yellow Full sun
Medium Plumbago Plumbag Fine Round Light blue Full sun
o
auriculat
a
Small Coontie Zamia floridana Coarse Round Darkgreen Partial sun
Small Bush daisy Fine Round Yellow Full sun
GROUNDCOVER
Perennial African iris Dietes iridoides Fine Clump White/blue Partial sun
Perennial Flax lily Medium Clump Blue Partial sun
Perennial Liriope Liriope muscari Fine Spike Purple Partial sun
Perennial Pentas Pentas lanceolata Fine Clump Red Full sun
Groundcover Creeping juniper Fine Spread Gray green Full sun
Groundcover Salvia Medium Clump Pink Full sun

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TABLE 2 . A plant material schedule used for purchasing and
installation
TYPE COMMON NAME SCIENTIFIC NAME QUANTITY SIZE SPACING
TREES
Small Crapemyrtle Lagerstroemia indica 2 15 gal As shown
Medium Fringetree Chionanthu 3 15 gal As shown
s viriginicus
Large Peregrina Jatropha integerrima 3 15 gal As shown
Large Tabebuia Tebebuia 3 15 gal As shown
heterophyll
a
PALMS
Large Cabbage palm Sabal palmetto 3 As shown
SHRUBS
Large Coontie Zamia pumila 50 1 gal 3’ o.c.*
Large Coaral bean Erythrina herbacea 2 3 gal 4’ o.c.
Medium Dwarf Walter’s 14 3 gal 3’ o.c.
viburnum
Medium Plumbago Plumbago auriculata 18 3 gal 3’ o.c.
GROUNDCOVER
Perennial Walking iris Dietes iridoides 101 1 gal 2.5’ o.c.
Perennial Beach verbena Glandulatia maritima 78 1 gal 2’ o.c.
Perennial Bromeliad Bromeliaceae genera 21 1 gal 2’ o.c.
Groundcover Crown grass Paspalum 20 1 gal 3’ o.c.
quadrifariu
m
Groundcover Gaillardia Gaillardia pulchella 28 1 gal 3’ o.c.
Groundcover Crinum lily Crinum asiaticum 8 3 gal 3’ o.c.
Perennial Flax lily 72 1 gal 2’ o.c.
Perennial Pentas Pentas lanceolata 98 1 gal 2.5’ o.c.
Perennial Salvia 66 1 gal 2’ o.c.
Perennial Scorpion tail Heliotropium 19 1 gal 2’ o.c.
angiospermu
m
VINES
Vine Bush almanda Allamanda cathartica 4 1 gal 4.5’ o.c.
Vine Coral honeysuckle Lonicera 4 1 gal 3’ o.c.
semperviren
s
*o.c. = on center

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