Greening Landscapes

Subject 207-250 (2009)

Note: This is an archived Handbook entry from 2009. Search for this in the current handbook

Credit Points: 12.50
Level: 2 (Undergraduate)
Dates & Locations:

This subject has the following teaching availabilities in 2009:

Lectures and tutorials at Burnley. Practicals at Parkville.
For information about these dates, click here.
Time Commitment: Contact Hours: 57 hours
Total Time Commitment: Estimated total time commitment (including non-contact time): 80 hours.
Prerequisites: Nil
Corequisites: Nil
Recommended Background Knowledge: None
Non Allowed Subjects: None
Core Participation Requirements: Students undertaking this subject will be expected to regularly access an internet-enabled computer.
Subject Overview: This subject explores biological, ecological and technical aspects of plant reproduction, horticulture, and forestry in relation to planning and design issues for vegetation establishment in parks and amenity settings, restoration and habitat creation, commercial horticulture, and forestry. It will address critical stages in the successful establishment of vegetation, including seed quality (genetic variability, integrity and development) plant growth and propagation techniques (seed germination, vegetative and micropropagation), production requirements and strategies (media and materials, crop scheduling, plant quality, and commercial practice) and plant establishment issues and methods (site preparation, planting, natural regeneration and direct seeding). The theory and practice of planting the built environment will be demonstrated through lectures, tutorials, field trips and practical sessions.
Objectives:

On completion of this subject students should be able to:

  • evaluate the different methods associated with landscape plant production
  • identify the biological and ecological issues associated with producing landscape vegetation
  • understand how to successfully establish landscape vegetation, and
  • in a limited way, successfully propagate plants for landscape use
  • understand the relationships between horticulture, forestry and landscape architecture.
Assessment:

1 x tutorial paper of no more than 1500 words due mid-semester (25%); 1 x practical report of no more than 1000 words due three quarters of the way through semester (25%) and an end-of-semester examination (50%).
Prescribed Texts: Handreck, K. and Black, N. (2002) Growing media for ornamental plants and turf. 4th Edition. University of New South Wales Press, Sydney, Australia.
Recommended Texts: Hartmann, H.T., Kester, D.E., Davies, F.T. and Geneve, R.L. (2002). Hartmann and Kester's plant propagation; principles and practices. 7th Edition. Prentice Hall, Upper Saddle River, New Jersey, USA.
Breadth Options:

This subject is not available as a breadth subject.
Fees Information: Subject EFTSL, Level, Discipline & Census Date
Generic Skills:

On completion of this subject students will be able to:

  • source, interpret and apply information from written and electronic sources to better understand plant propagation and growing
  • use scientific and technical literature to answer specific questions and aid problem-solving in plant selection
  • investigate and analyse issues pertaining to plant growing
  • develop written and verbal communication skills
  • manage workloads and time efficiently.
Related Majors/Minors/Specialisations: Landscape Architecture
Landscape Management

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