LA 4910 - Creating the Urban Eden: Woody Plant Selection, Design, and Landscape Establishment

(CU-CEL, CU-SBY)

Fall. 5 credits. Letter grades only.

Enrollment limited to: Plant Science and Landscape Architecture majors. Pre-enrollment required. Co-meets with LA 5910.

J. Vanucchi.

Focuses on the identification, uses, and establishment of woody plants in urban and garden settings. By understanding the environmental limitations to plant growth, students are able to critically assess potential planting sites; select appropriate trees, shrubs, vines, and ground covers for a given site; and learn about the principles and practices of site amelioration and plant establishment. Design followed by written specifications and graphic details are developed to implement these practices. No prior design experience necessary. This course receives more credit than typical for the meeting pattern due to substantial academic activity outside of instructional hours.

Outcome 1: Students will gain a first-hand understanding of the heterogeneity of urban and other growing conditions and how these various conditions might influence plant selection, growth, development and survival.

Outcome 2: Students will develop observation techniques, practice nomenclature and recognize plant characteristics necessary for the identification of deciduous plants in leaf.

Outcome 3: Students will learn site assessment techniques and analytical skills necessary to diagnose various site conditions and determine how to use this information in planting design and associated detailing.

Outcome 4: Students will be able to select site-appropriate plant materials and demonstrate technically how to develop plans and construction documents for contractor bidding and installation.

Outcome 5: Students will learn new transplanting techniques and have an opportunity for hands-on practice.

Outcome 6: Students will be able to integrate theory with practice by working on site-specific projects.