The characters, habitats and functions of plant materials is very essential data for landscape architects to produce the softscape design. Landscape architect should know the space, light, water availability, wind condition while doing a planting design, and always choose hardy plants which’s tolerant to environment.
To design planting area, we need to consider suitability of plant species and planting beds, plant specifications, and plant availability in the market. Usually I allocate the plants with similar growth requirement together, and using the species which’s not require frequent maintenance for difficult to access area.
Today I would like to introduce some foliage shrubs in landscape uses. Shrubs are used to highlight buffer of planting and screen pedestrian eye level.
Aglaonema 'Dud Unyamanae' is ideal plant for indoor and shady planting area. It tolerant with well-drained soils. It is reaching 1.0m overall height after it’s established. It’s require moderate water and moderate maintenance as well.
Aglaonema Silver Green, Chinese Evergreen is suitable to be planted as indoor potted plant or allocate at shady planting area. It is purifying the air and low maintenance as well.
Alpinia zerumbet ‘Variegata’, Variegated Shell Ginger require high humidity growth condition, prefer moist soils and lots of water. We can find this plant in the parks and gardens.
Calathea rufibarba is native plant from Brazil. It prefer semi-shade or full shade planting area. It require lots of water and misting.
Costus speciosus ‘Variegatus’ can be used as hedge for screening purpose with beautiful white flowers. It’s reaching 1.5-1.8m height when it’s mature. It prefer semi shade condition, and require moderate water.
Phyllanthus cochinchinensis, Vietnam leaf-flower, is type of woody shrub. It’s drought tolerant plant and prefer dry soils condition, and can survive under full sunlight. It require moderate water and regular trimming and leaves cutting.
Poganatherum paniceum, Bamboo Grass is grass-like plant which’s need full sunlight and moderate water. It’s a popular ornamental foliage.
Above are some of the common plant selection to do the softscape design.
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