PLANTS AND ECOLOGY IN DESIGN
Explores the process of plant selection and placement in the landscape. The desired landscape will be ecologically appropriate to the setting, sustainable, functional in response to goals, and aesthetically pleasing. Acquire an awareness and understanding of the physical characteristics of plant materials and a sensitivity to their needs based on past and present. Emphasis on the recognition of the philosophy of planting design as a dynamic and changing spatial art and science, the relationship between environment and plants, application of design composition principles to plant selection and placement, and functional and utilitarian uses of plants; i.e., the opportunities and constraints for plants in the designed landscape.
Prerequisites & course information
Requisites: Declared in Landscape Architecture BLA and PLANTSCI/LAND ARC 263 (or HORT 263 prior to Fall 2025) Course Designation: Core GenEd - Natural Science & Wellness + Lab Breadth - Natural Science Level - Advanced L&S Credit - L&S Liberal Arts and Science Repeatable for Credit: No Last Taught: Fall 2026 Learning Outcomes: 1. Create designs that use ecological principles and plants' aesthetic and functional qualities as key constituents of form-making and placemaking. Audience: Undergraduate 2. Create designs for holistic ecological impacts beyond conventional utilitarian human centered criteria. Audience: Undergraduate 3. Identify and record plant species found on a design site as part of SWOT analysis. Audience: Undergraduate 4. Produce portfolio-quality visual design documentation with a variety of graphic tools, including computer and hand illustrations, well-drafted planting plans and plant schedules that are easily interpreted and conform to professional standards. Audience: Undergraduate 5. Use a personal design process to create unique design concepts that facilitate strong project approaches. Audience: Undergraduate 6. Compose and revise multiple design scenarios and iterations to continually improve a concept. Audience: Undergraduate 7. Engage in constructive design dialogue to advance your approach to design. Audience: Undergraduate Learning Outcomes: 1. Create designs that use ecological principles and plants' aesthetic and functional qualities as key constituents of form-making and placemaking. Audience: Undergraduate 2. Create designs for holistic ecological impacts beyond conventional utilitarian human centered criteria. Audience: Undergraduate 3. Identify and record plant species found on a design site as part of SWOT analysis. Audience: Undergraduate 4. Produce portfolio-quality visual design documentation with a variety of graphic tools, including computer and hand illustrations, well-drafted planting plans and plant schedules that are easily interpreted and conform to professional standards. Audience: Undergraduate 5. Use a personal design process to create unique design concepts that facilitate strong project approaches. Audience: Undergraduate 6. Compose and revise multiple design scenarios and iterations to continually improve a concept. Audience: Undergraduate 7. Engage in constructive design dialogue to advance your approach to design. Audience: Undergraduate
Sources
- Course catalogue ↗2026-2027