The diversity of plants used on a site also has an influence on maintenance requirements, and often has a bearing on the level of potential pest problems. Large monoculture plantings are more susceptible to insect and disease problems, and infestations are likely to be more severe than in the case of mixed, multi-species plantings. Due to the uniformity of texture, color, and overall appearance in monocultures, insignificant levels of "damage" (e.g., minor insect pest and/or disease impacts) are more noticeable and therefore less acceptable than if such damage were present in a more diverse, informal design. Also, while weeds and replacement plants are highly visible in a formal design with little plant diversity, they may be hardly noticed in a multi-species, mixed design. Please refer to the section on Standards for further related discussion.
In summary, an informal or naturalistic design
approach requires less general maintenance (e.g., pruning, weeding, pest
control) than formal landscapes. The photos below show examples of
the various ways in which the design and/or maintenance approach taken
impacts maintenance requirements.
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| Informal or “naturalistic” landscape designs require less maintenance than formal designs to meet their desired aesthetic effects. Note that if the lawn in the right photo had been planted with a mix including low growing grasses and flowering broadleaf plants overall maintenance requirements would have been reduced. See the section on Lawns & Other Turf Areas for more information. | |
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A formal maintenance approach has been taken with these two landscapes by keeping the plants sheared. This adds to the level of maintenance (and therefore cost) required. |
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All the plants in this median strip have been sheared by the landscape maintenance contractor, to the detriment of its visual appeal and the health of the plants, in addition to a significant amount of unnecessary labor. The shrubs are sheared around all sides, although they would look better if allowed to grow together, and would provide better screening from the busy intersection if allowed to grow to their natural height. Likewise, even the tree canopies are kept sheared to a uniform outline. It is very unlikely that the designer intended the plants to be maintained in this manner. |
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Photos taken of the landscape surrounding a U.S. Courthouse, USDA Forest Service, and other Federal agencies building. These Portuguese laurels are sheared into geometric shapes instead of being allowed to grow to their ultimate height of approx. 20 feet, which would be much more in scale with the large building and consume much less time for maintenance. If allowed to grow to a natural form and size these plants would require very little pruning as opposed to the current pactice of regular shearing throughout the growing season. Who is responsible for making the decision to spend public tax dollars to maintain the landscape in this manner? | |
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An informal, densely planted area on the right with naturally pruned shrubs and trees within it, in contrast to the turf area across the sidewalk - individual trees with mulched wells in a mown lawn and sheared shrubs (upper left). The alternating exposed aggregate and broom finished concrete of the sidewalk adds interest and rhythm. |
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Simple designs can be low maintenance yet attractive. |
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