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ASLA releases resource guide to maximize residential planting benefits
17 Dec, 2009The American Society of Landscape Architects (ASLA) has posted "Residential Design: Maximizing the Benefits of Plants," a resource guide that focuses on the role plants play in sustainable landscapes.
The guide explains how integrated site design — looking at the big picture when designing a landscape — can save energy, water and improve the environment.
"Integrated site design is a framework for increasing the quality of the built environment, and involves maximizing existing natural systems to create productive and healthy residential environments," states the ASLA resource guide.
Plant use fits into the integrated site design concept in many ways. For example, trees can shade homes to reduce air conditioning costs in the summer and provide windbreaks in the winter, which can reduce heating costs. Installing plants with similar fertilizer and water requirements near one another can save on inputs. In addition to the oxygen plants produce, some also produce food and shelter for wildlife. Using fruits and vegetables in the landscape can reduce dependence on store-bought produce, which is often shipped great distances. Composting reduces waste sent to landfills and can be used to improve the quality of soil in the landscape.
The guide includes sections on native plants, residential agriculture, residential wildlife habitat, indoor plants and residential composting. The sections include links to organizations, government agencies, research papers and projects, and additional resources on using plants as part of an integrated site design.
Check out the ASLA resource guide here.
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