PLANT LAYERS
Organizing plants vertically.
In wild plant communities plants naturally grow in three general layers, so let's use this idea to help us organize plants vertically in our own designs. We will discuss three PLANT LAYERS in this guide and how to use them: structural, seasonal theme and groundcover/matrix.
As we learn about PLANT LAYERS, know that this layer concept is inspired by nature, but can be incorporated into any garden (even a purely aesthetic one). The challenge is to ultimately choose plants for each layer that work well together on the site, with each other, and still look beautiful. When done well your garden will be ecologically sound, easier to manage, plus be stunning.
You're welcome to visit our BOOKSHOP to grab a book or two on this topic plus others focused on planting design.
Design above is by Kelly Norris at the Blank Performing Arts Center in Indianola, Iowa.
PLANTING DESIGN. The thoughtful selection and arrangement of plants. Plants have many functions in a landscape, including reinforcing garden rooms. READ MORE HERE.
THREE PLANT LAYERS
The planting layers we'll discuss this month are included below with links to past GARDEN GUIDES for additional information. This is a great time to learn about a related topic in our DESIGN LIBRARY.
STRUCTURAL LAYER
Provides the long term framework or structure for your planting design and is often composed of woody plants and/or tall perennials and grasses.
ADDITIONAL RESOURCES:
SEASONAL THEME LAYER
Provides a dynamic choreography of color throughout the growing season and is typically composed of perennials
ADDITIONAL RESOURCES:
GARDEN GUIDE .005: PLANTING MODELS
GROUNDCOVER LAYER
The most impactful of the three. It exists to suppress weeds, control erosion, and overall covers the soil. Also called the Matrix Layer.
ADDITIONAL RESOURCES:
GOODNESS FOR YOU THIS MONTH
Below you will find several items to help you learn more about PLANT LAYERS. From written words to video to applied activities to group discussions. Explore our topic from different angles and gain a new perspective.
The first three items below include this month's GARDEN GUIDE on PLANT LAYERS, our ACTIVITY, plus a BONUS CHEATSHEET on Drawing Plant Layers. This Cheatsheet and the video included this month were both made for our graphics membership, Paper Garden Studio. We thought it would be a perfect compliment to this month's topic.
VIDEO: DRAWING PLANT LAYERS
This video was created for our graphics membership, Paper Garden Studio, to show how you can DRAW plant layers. There are many ways to communicate this type of planting structure. Some designers create spreadsheets, some create a different planting plan for each layer, some squeeze everything onto one plan, while others overlay tracing paper with each layer.
Think about how you might communicate your planting design vision.
Additional Inspiration
As you learn about plant layers and designed plant communities I encourage you to explore contemporary designers that showcase great examples of these. Below are some Instagram accounts that will provide a great source of inspiration to get you started.
OUR COMMUNITY
Don't forget to hang out with everyone to share your work and chat about PLANTING MODELS! Check in to share your activity via the CHALLENGES area. Specific links are located in each activity below.
Activity .01
PLANT LAYERS MOODBOARD
This activity allows you to explore potential plants for each layer in a planting design, then collect images of them onto a moodboard.
Activity .02
DRAW YOUR PLANT LAYERS IN PLAN VIEW
This activity allows you to take the plants from your moodboard then arrange them into a planting plan.
Share a win!
What have you accomplished in the last month that makes you super happy? Let us celebrate with you!
LIVE SESSIONS
We have two this month: our normal Q+A, plus we'll kick off our BOOK CLUB! These will both be recorded in case you can't make it (then posted right back here). Visit the Q+A SCHEDULE for times and links or click below.
I can't wait to see you!
Design above is by Kelly Norris at the Blank Performing Arts Center in Indianola, Iowa.
BOOK CLUB: A Garden's Purpose by Felix De Rosen
This month we'll share how we'll structure the book club, plus we'll discuss Part One: Wonder. If you read ahead a bit to page 137, you can even learn a bit more about this month's topic on plant layers.
This book is located in our bookshop at Bookshop.org. You're welcome to read our current book or simply listen in to learn about the concepts discussed.
Thursday, January 11, 2024
Noon PST | 2 PM CST | 3 PM EST
London: 8 PM GMT
Sydney: January 12 at 7 AM AEDT
Monthly Q+A
Thursday, January 18
8 AM PST | 10 AM CST | 11 AM EST
London: 4 PM GMT
Sydney: January 19 at 3 AM AEDT
I'd love your feedback once you've devoured all this goodness.
Drop me a note at the email below and let me know what you loved and what could be improved. Thank you!
Please contact me at [email protected]
