Greening Landscapes

This subject has the following teaching availabilities in 2016:

Lectures and Practicals at Burnley. Tutorials at Parkville.

Estimated total time commitment (including non-contact time): 170 hours.

Students undertaking this subject will be expected to regularly access an internet-enabled computer.

It is University policy to take all reasonable steps to minimise the impact of disability upon academic study, and reasonable adjustments will be made to enhance a student's participation in the University's programs. This course requires all students to enrol in subjects where they must actively and safely contribute to field excursions and laboratory activities. Students who feel their disability will impact on meeting this requirement are encouraged to discuss this matter with the Subject Coordinator and Disability Liaison http://services.unimelb.edu.au/disability/. Email: disability-liaison@unimelb.edu.au

Through lectures, tutorials, excursions and a hands-on nursery and practical program, this subject 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 and vegetative); production requirements and strategies (incl. media and materials and plant quality); plant establishment issues and methods (site preparation, urban soils, planting, natural regeneration and direct seeding), and urban plant management at different scales.

On completion of this subject students should:

• understand different methods associated with landscape plant production
• be able to identify the biological and ecological issues associated with producing landscape vegetation
• understand how to successfully establish landscape vegetation
• in a limited way, successfully propagate plants for landscape use and
• gain an appreciation of the complexities of plant management for urban sites at different landscape scales.

1 x tutorial paper of no more than 1,500 words due mid-semester (25%); 1 x practical report of no more than 1,000 words due three quarters of the way through semester (25%) and a 2 hour end-of-semester examination (50%).

Handreck, K. and Black, N. (2010) Growing media for ornamental plants and turf. 4th Edition. University of New South Wales Press, Sydney, Australia.

Hartmann, H.T., Kester, D.E., Davies, F.T. and Geneve, R.L. (2002). Hartmann and Kester’s plant propagation; principles and practices. 8th Edition. Prentice Hall/Pearson Upper Saddle River, New Jersey, USA.

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

• Bachelor of Arts
• Bachelor of Commerce
• Bachelor of Music

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.

On completion of this subject students will be able to:

• source, interpret and apply information from written and electronic sources to investigate and analyse essential issues in the propagation, growing and establishment of plants in a range of urban settings
• use scientific and technical literature to answer specific questions and aid problem-solving in plant selection and the development of urban green spaces
• demonstrate practical skills in the production of plants and their installation in the landscape
• demonstrate written and verbal communication skills
• manage workloads and time efficiently.