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The Plant Elements of Design program was developed to support the landscape design process by providing designers and architects the opportunity to select plants with specific characteristics. Plants are chosen based on plant type, height, width, texture, seasonal interest, and other characteristics.
This program is useful as a reference for nurseries, garden centers, educators, landscape contractors, grounds managers and maintenance firms. While the Plant Elements of Design program is intended primarily for plant selection, it may also be used, to a limited extent, for plant identification and site evaluation.
Plant Elements of Design was developed for use in Minnesota and the North Central United States. All perennial plants in the database are considered hardy in USDA zone 4. Adjoining zones are also indicated.
Plants are divided into two sections: "Woody" and "Herbaceous" plants. The "Woody" plant section includes deciduous and evergreen shrubs, trees and groundcovers. The "Herbaceous" plant section includes perennials, annuals, wildflowers, bulbs, ferns, and ornamental grasses.
The information provided for each plant is based on the knowledge and experience of University of Minnesota specialists and industry professionals.
First decide if the plant you are searching for is woody or herbaceous. Click on the appropriate choice in the upper right of the program screen.
When using this program, click on the "Search" tab and use the pull-down boxes to indicate specific criteria for which to search. The more categories entered, the more narrowed the results will be. For example, if you search for a plant that is 4-5 feet wide, you will get a large number of matches. If you search for a plant that is 4-5 feet wide, has spring seasonal interest, and is disease resistant, the number of matches will be significantly reduced. If you add yet another criteria, such as food for wildlife, the number of matches will be reduced to just a few or no matches.
From a design standpoint, most searches will be done first by plant type, then by height and width, then by texture, and then by other criteria, such as seasonal interest. For herbaceous plants, flower color will also be important search criteria.
Searches for plants can be based on the following characteristics:
This includes such choices as "Evergreen Tree" or "Deciduous Shrub" for woody plants, or "Hardy Perennial" or "Fern" for herbaceous plants. Use the pull-down arrows in the search mode to see the available plant types.
For woody plants, these categories indicate the expected mature size of the plant when informally pruned. An unpruned plant could get larger, and most plants could be kept smaller with more intensive pruning.
The width indicated for herbaceous perennials refers to the width of a well-established plant, usually 3-4 years old. Herbaceous perennials need division at different ages, depending on the species, and therefore the width can vary greatly. The widths in this program, however, can be used for spacing purposes during the design process.
Texture refers to the visual fineness or coarseness of the foliage and branches. Use the pull-down arrows in the search mode to see available choices.
This describes the overall shape of the plant, such as upright or spreading. Use the pull-down arrows in the search mode to see available plant forms.
This category refers to the season, such as spring or fall, when the plant has exceptional seasonal interest. Use the pull-down arrows in the search mode to see available choices.
This category is included only in the "Herbaceous" plant section. If the blossoms on a plant have more than one color, such as a blue and white iris, the plant will be listed under a search for either color. Use the pull-down arrows in the search mode to see available choices.
Seasonal
Interest
For herbaceous plants only, this category provides information about seasonal interest other than flower color, such as foliage color.
This category is included only in the "Woody" plant section. It provides information about a plant's seasonal interest, such as flowers or fall foliage color.
Most plants can be used in a variety of ways. This category lists up to three of the best uses for each plant. Use the pull-down arrows in the search mode to see available choices.
The speed of growth relative to other plants of its type, such as slow, medium or fast, is indicated in this category. Use the pull-down arrows in the search mode to see available choices.
While most plants are susceptible to insects or diseases if conditions are right or the plant is stressed, insect or diseases are noted in this program only if the particular plant is highly susceptible or resistant to specific pests. Use the pull-down arrows in the search mode to see available choices.
This category indicates the best light conditions for each plant. In general, "Partial Sun" means at least 6 hours of sunlight each day. Use the pull-down arrows in the search mode to see available choices.
USDA hardiness zones for each plant are listed. All perennial plants are hardy to USDA zone 4 without protection, unless otherwise noted. Use the pull-down arrows in the search mode to see available choices.
Most plants can survive in a wide range of soil conditions, when given proper care and maintenance. This category lists soil conditions for which plants are especially adapted. Use the pull-down arrows in the search mode to see available choices.
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http://www.sustland.umn.edu/plant/
Brad Pedersen
SULIS Coordinator
Associate Professor and Turf and
Landscape Specialist
University of Minnesota
Department of Horticultural Science
305 Alderman Hall
St. Paul, MN 55108
Diana Alfuth
SULIS Program Assistant
University of Minnesota
Department of Horticultural Science
305 Alderman Hall
St. Paul, MN 55108
This program was developed through a grant from the University of Minnesota Extension Service and with the assistance of the following people:
Brad Pedersen, Associate Professor and Turf and Landscape Specialist, SULIS Coordinator, Department of Horticultural Science, University of Minnesota
Diana Alfuth, SULIS Program Assistant, Department of Horticultural Science, University of Minnesota
Minnesota Landscape Arboretum
Dr. Harold Pellet, Professor, Department of Horticultural Science, University of Minnesota
Karrie Bitner, Research Plot Coordinator, Department of Horticultural Science, University of Minnesota
Dean Englemann, Department of Horticultural Science, University of Minnesota, SULIS Program Assistant
Swanson’s Great Northern Nursery
Mike Zins, Associate Professor, Department of Horticultural Science, University of Minnesota
Martin Maca, Horticulture, Forestry, and Parks Department, Associate Professor, South Dakota State University
“Used with permission of University of Minnesota Extension Service”
Bachman's Nursery Wholesale Catalog. Spring, 1998.
Bailey Nurseries, Inc., Wholesale Catalog. 1997-1998.
Clausen, Ruth Rogers and Nicolas H. Ekstrom. 1989 Perennials for American Gardens, New York: Random House.
Dirr, Michael A. 1990. Manual of Woody Plants, Champaign, IL: Stipes Publishing.
Earthworks River Farm Nursery. 1995 Catalog.
Meyer, M. Hockenberry, D. B. White and H. Pellet. 1996. Ornamental Grasses for Cold Climates, Minnesota Extension Service, University of Minnesota.
Taylor, J. Lee, Anne M. Hanchek, Lowell Ewart and William Carlson. 1992. Growing and Using Annuals and Bulbs, Michigan State University.
Minnesota Nursery and Landscape Association. 1996. Perennials for Outdoor Living.
Minnesota Nursery and Landscape Association. 1997. Woody Plants.
Minnesota Nursery and Landscape Association. 1997-98. Annuals--Plants for Outdoor Living.
Pedersen, Brad. 1982, revised 1989. Plant Characteristics of Woody Plants Database.
Still, Steven M. 1994. Manual of Herbaceous Ornamental Plants, Champaign, IL: Stipes Publishing.
White Flower Farm. The Garden Book. 1997.
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Plant Elements of Design--A Plant Selection Program
