Horticulture
Trees, Shrubs and Groundcover
Trees and shrubs are very important for the home landscape. They are the ‘backbone" of the landscapes. Trees can provide privacy, protection from glare or direct sunlight into windows, or shade on a patio. A thick row of tall shrubs bordering a road can reduce noise and prevent litter from entering a yard, or perhaps screen an unpleasant view such as a shopping center or row of buildings.
Architectural Uses of Plants: Trees and shrubs can be used to form walls, canopies, or floors by taking advantage of their different growth habits and foliage characteristics. A stand of trees or shrubs can create walls to filter or block views, or a canopy of tree branches can provide a sense of shelter. Ground cover planting with uniform foliage and textural characteristics can present the feeling of an architectural floor. Plants can also define a boundary
Engineering Uses of Plants: Trees can stop or diffuse light before it reaches the ground. Engineering functions of plants include using them to screen or soften the sun's glare on the water or smooth shiny surfaces, or to block car lights or street lights. An edging of ground cover plants along an entranceway or at corners of a walk helps direct attention and movement of people. Traffic movement along walks and drives can be controlled with shrubs or trees.
Plants can add, absorb and deflect sound by the presence and movement of their foliage and branches. Plants are particularly useful in noise control when joined with land forms. Plants can remove and trap pollutants from the air as well as introduce fragrance or odors from flowers or foliage, such as the spicy scented leaves of the bayberry.
Climate Control Uses of Plants: For climate control, deciduous shade trees might be used to screen the hot summer sun or in winter permit the solar radiation to penetrate to the ground, or to the walls and windows of a building. Large shrubs can serve as windbreaks to reduce wind velocities. Changes in solar radiation or light levels are also possible with shading.
Aesthetic Uses of Plants: The aesthetic functions of plants are the easiest to understand. Plants traditionally have been used for beautification; unfortunately, most people think this is the only reason to landscape with plants. Aesthetically, plants can become a piece of living sculpture. When placed against a plain wall or fence, they create an interesting shadow pattern of branches and leaves. Plants can be used as background for other plantings, or arranged to provide visual coherence to unrelated objects or structures. They provide suitable environments for birds and other wildlife, too.
Ohio Trees: $16.50 plus tax
Selecting and Planting Trees: $2.50 plus tax
Links to Fact Sheets and Bulletins on Trees, Shrubs & Groundcovers: http://ohioline.osu.edu/lines/trees.html
Links to Fact Sheets on Landscaping: http://ohioline.osu.edu/lines/hygs.html#LANDS
