By Laurie Sheldon
Before digging into this topic, I'd like to rewind just a
touch. I was initially asked to write a blog that would give a bit more detail
about the content of the workshop I'd be co-presenting with Jake Ingram at this
year's conference. This reminded me of the old adage "why buy the cow when
you can get the milk for free?" Let's face it - if I was to blog about
everything we'd be covering before we cover it, there would be little reason to
attend (aside from checking out my awesome PowerPoint.) That said, Ginny
Stibolt, my friend and fellow FNPS blogger, suggested that, rather than
focusing on the "whats" of the workshop, I should concentrate on the
"whys" - specifically, why both homeowners and Landscape
Architects/Designers should attend. Here’s the relatively brief version...
Good Landscape Design Ain't Easy
 |
| There's more to Landscape Design than meets the eye. |
That's right, contrary to popular belief (and the myriad
guerrilla-style landscape makeovers you've seen on TV), Landscape Architects have
a tough job. In fact, it takes more schooling to become a Landscape Architect
than it does to become an Architect. Why? Well, let's see... for starters,
buildings don't grow and move once they're built. Yes, there's settling, and if
you live in California, there's some plate shifting to deal with, but the overall
form of the structure is static. Geez, so don't be nit-picky. Landscapes, on the other hand, never stop moving, growing, changing shape and color, responding
to temperature, soil structure, moisture, sunlight, blah blah blah. Like I
said, it's not easy. Why, then, do people with little or no knowledge of these
processes and their effects on specific plant material think they can just hop
on over to a big-box store and become magically transformed into fabulous
Landscape Designers? I guarantee that the same people would not enter a lumber
yard and think, "hey - I'd bet I can design my own house," then get a
cart and start loading up on 2x4s and plywood. And, as I just mentioned - IT'S
EASIER TO DESIGN A HOUSE. So I guess my point here is that it takes a lot more
than a weekend of watching HGTV to understand the ins and outs of Landscape
Design. If you come to our workshop, we'll get you headed in the right direction.
Layout and Plant Material
I like to walk, not only for the health benefits, but also
to have a gander at what’s going on in peoples’
yards. After many years of walking and looking, it occurred to me that
nearly all residential landscapes fall into one of four categories based on layout and plant material:
1. The “Let’s See What Happens” (no discernible landscape
plan, random/non-native plant material)
In this landscape, a homeowner has apparently purchased exotic
plants, one at a time, thrown a coin in the air and stuck the plant in the
ground wherever the coin landed. No two species are the same, plants are often
wilting or smothering one another from poor selection/placement/spacing, they
are not grouped to guide the eye, and create no semblance of balance. While
this landscape does not create “curb appeal,” it certainly CURBS THE APPEAL of the
home it flanks.
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| "Let's See What Happens"; photo by L. Sheldon |
2. The “Native Free-for-All” (no discernible landscape plan,
all or almost all native plant material)
In this landscape, the homeowner has carefully selected
native plants, and sited them appropriately. At the same time, the landscape
lacks the cohesive design that would showcase these specimens. Further, there
are probably way too many types of plants to make maintenance an easy task. A
collection of assorted plants does not a landscape make.
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| "Native Free-for-All"; photo by L. Sheldon |
3. The “Model Home” (comprehensive landscape plan, ornamental, non-native plant material)
This landscape was designed by a Landscape Architect. It enhances
the appearance of the site’s structures, uses compatible hardscape materials, provides
for circulation, and incorporates program elements like a pool and playset. The
plants it contains were selected for their cultural requirements and overall
aesthetic appearance.
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| "Model Home"; photo by L. Sheldon |
4. The “Native by Design” (comprehensive landscape plan, all
or almost all native plant material)
This landscape was also designed by a Landscape Architect,
and meets all of the same criteria as the “Model Home” as far as aesthetics,
circulation, hardscape and program elements are concerned. Unlike #3, its
plants were selected from a native palette.
 |
| "Native by Design"; photo by J. Ingram |
Unless your landscape looks like #4, you could probably benefit from attending our workshop.
Landscape Function
Does it really matter that much if the plants are native, as
long as they are aesthetically pleasing and appropriately sited? Why is “Native
by Design” the way to go? The answer lies within the concept of function.
A whole network of plants, animals and insects were
co-evolving in your backyard long before you arrived. The plants provided
shelter and food for the critters, and the critters facilitated the plants’
pollination. It was a win-win. Weaker species fell by the wayside through
process of natural selection, and what remained were the well-oiled machines
that ecologists refer to as communities. Europeans effectively threw a monkey
wrench in the machine when they jumped that giant ditch called the Atlantic
Ocean and schlepped in bits and pieces of the natural communities that thrived
in their countries of origin. Party foul!
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| When we try to pick out anything by itself, we find it hitched to everything else in the Universe. - John Muir |
The crux of what I am getting at here is that plants aren’t
just like jewelry for your house. They are critical to the functionality of Florida's ecosystems and
the food chain. So unless the ultimate goal is to choke the life out of all
the insects, birds, and mammals that were living here before Ponce De Leon
planted his flag, designers need to turn to the native palette for plant
material. By selecting natives, we breathe life into our landscapes by default.
Why everyone should attend
We hope to introduce everyone who comes to our workshop to a
new way of thinking about design. Homeowners will learn a ton about the design
process and how functional, aesthetically pleasing landscapes are created.
Landscape Architects - you can benefit from our run-down of easy-to-grow natives
for northeast Florida, which we encourage you to incorporate into future
projects. Rest assured, Jake and I will deliver a workshop that will be both
informative and entertaining. We’ll even dance for you if you ask us
nicely!
Event Specifics
Who: YOU!
What: Home Landscape Design Workshop
When: Saturday, May 18th, 12:50 P.M. to 2:45 P.M.
Where: University of North Florida, Herbert University
Center
12000 Alumni Drive, Jacksonville, FL 32224
Registration in Main Lobby
Workshop in Rm. 1058-2
Why: Didn’t I just go through that?
How Much: $25
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