How to Read a Planting Plan

  • This planting plan communicates intent, structure, and proportions, not the exact placement of individual plants.

  • The design defines which plants are used, how they relate to one another, and how they occupy the space over time.

  • Individual plants are installed one by one and adjusted on site to respond to microconditions, plant size, and material availability.

  • Because of this, the final planting will not be a literal match to the drawing—and it is not meant to be.

What Is Fixed

  • Plant selection and overall palette

  • Relative quantities and proportions

  • Seasonal roles (spring, summer, fall emphasis)

  • Spatial relationships between plant groups

  • The underlying framework of the planting

What Is Intentionally Flexible

  • Exact placement of individual plants

  • Minor adjustments to spacing and groupings

  • On-site responses to light, moisture, soil variation, and existing conditions

How the Planting Is Organized

  • The landscape is divided into planting zones or matrices, each with a defined mix of plants.

  • Each zone combines species with different growth rhythms and root strategies, allowing resources to be used efficiently over the season.

  • This approach supports healthier plants, greater resilience, and a more natural appearance over time.

How to Read the Drawings

  • Soft-edged shapes indicate planting areas, not boundaries.

  • Symbols and textures suggest density and rhythm, not exact locations.

  • Supporting images show the character and seasonal presence of individual plants.

  • Tables and schedules provide the accurate counts and proportions behind the design.

Why This Approach Is Used

  • Gardens are living systems, not static compositions.

  • This method allows the planting to respond intelligently during installation rather than forcing an artificial precision.

  • The result is a landscape that feels natural, performs better long-term, and requires less corrective intervention as it matures.