Designing with Plants

Subject 207-298 (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:

For information about these dates, click here.
Time Commitment: Contact Hours: 54
Total Time Commitment: Estimated total time commitment (including non-contact time): 108 hours.
Prerequisites: Nl
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 the selection and use of designed vegetation in urban landscapes. The content includes an overview of planting design and plant selection, developing criteria for plant selection, using and analyzing sources of information for plant selection, developing criteria for plant selection, using and analyzing sources of information for plant selection, principles of 'sustainability' in designing vegetation, establishment and management considerations in designed vegetation, the study of aesthetic, functional and ecological outcomes from vegetation, recognition of representative plants and case studies of plant use and management in urban landscapes.
Objectives:

On completion of this subject students will be able to:

  • describe a process for the outcomes from "sustainable" planting design, including definitions, theory, applications and practice
  • analyse the requirements for selection of plants in designed landscapes, including aesthetic, functional, ecological and management considerations and criteria
  • recognise, name and describe a selection of landscape plants
  • select appropriate plants for a range of designed landscapes, including streetscapes and traffic treatments, parklands, reserves and open space, residential landscapes, public gardens, institutional and specialised landscapes (roof gardens, therapeutic landscapes, etc.)
Assessment: A planting design journal or case-study equivalent to 2500 words due mid-semester (50%), a 2-hour end-of-semester examination (50%).
Prescribed Texts: University of Melbourne, 2008, Burnley Plant Directory - CD Rom (Version 2)
Recommended Texts: Spencer, R., Cross, R. and Lumley, P. (2007). Plant names: a guide to botanical nomenclature. 3rd Edition. Royal Botanic Gardens/CSIRO Publishing, Collingwood.
Breadth Options:

This subject potentially can be taken as a breadth subject component for the following courses:

You should visit learn more about breadth subjects and read the breadth requirements for your degree, and should discuss your choice with your student adviser, before deciding on your subjects.

Fees Information: Subject EFTSL, Level, Discipline & Census Date
Generic Skills:

On completion of this subject, students should be able to:

  • source, interpret and apply information from written and electronic sources to better understand planting design and plant selection
  • use scientific and technical literature to answer specific questions and aid problem-solving in plant selection
  • investigate and analyse issues pertaining to plant use, design and selection
  • use their developed written and verbal communication skills
  • manage workloads and use their time efficiently.
Related Course(s): Associate Degree in Environmental Horticulture
Related Majors/Minors/Specialisations: Landscape Architecture
Landscape Management

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