ANGELICA & MATT NORTON

Picking Your Plants

Angelica & Matt Norton , Landscape Designers & Owners of Open Envelope Studio, Beyond Aesthetics: Considering the Subliminal, Ecological and Cultural Value of Plants

When selecting plants for a landscape, most people focus on their visual character. While aesthetics are important, there are deeper values— subliminal, ecological and cultural—that should also influence your plant choices.

There is inherent experiential messaging in plants: sit under me, run through me, touch my soft leaves or bark, enjoy my blooms, stay away or give me space. The plant choices can enhance the designed programming to subliminally tell users how to move through or use the space. In activity zones, plant selection should reflect the intend- ed use: durable enough for the curious hands of children or for a dog to rub against, while more delicate or serrated species might be suited to quieter, contemplative spaces.

Ecologically speaking, working with native and adapted plants is easier than those that require a lot of water, maintenance, fertilizers or protection from climate extremes.

Beyond ease is a larger responsibility to the environment through water use and erosion mitigation, providing food and creating habitat for pollinators and other wildlife—and eradicating invasive species. And practically speaking, selecting species that thrive in the local climate reduces the need for protection against climate extremes.

Native and adapted plants are easier to maintain and source, but also express the characteristics of the greater community and give meaning via context. There are overlaps in plants that would thrive in both suburban Austin neighborhoods or rolling topography of the Texas hill country, but the cultural connotations are important to keep in mind so that they support an authentic sense of place. By selecting plants that reflect the local environment, you help create spaces that resonate with the community’s identity and history.

Ultimately, selecting plants goes beyond picking something that looks good. Consider their subliminal impact, ecological role and cultural significance to broaden our understanding of the complex impact plants have on a space and create landscapes that are functional, sustainable and meaningful.

Next, we’ll explore how hardscape materials can further shape the narrative of your space.

Contact

Angelica Norton, ASLA

Owner of Open Envelope Studio LLC

Phone: (512) 925-0155

Email: angelica@openenvelopestudio.com www.oes.design