**2. Types of vegetation and its landscape-oriented benefits**

Growth habits define the shape or form of the plants and play a key role in both their esthetic character and their function in the landscape. Based on growth habit, plants can be classified as trees, shrubs, groundcovers, or vines. The boundaries between these growth habit types are not always distinct, nor consistent. A plant species may fall into several categories depending upon the conditions of a particular site or its maintenance regime. Despite the shortcomings of this classification system, it is widely used in landscape design.

Herbaceous & woody plants are the main two kinds of landscape plants. Both kinds of plants differ in their characteristics. Plants that do not produce woody stems are known as herbaceous plants. They are known botanically as herbs. They can grow either in an upright, prostate, or creeper manner. Trees, shrubs, or woody vines are different types of woody plants. It is usually difficult to find out a clear distinction between trees and shrubs. Woody plants can be further divided into evergreen & deciduous plants. Deciduous trees usually shed their leaves in autumn while evergreen trees keep their leaves. Trees are relatively larger than shrubs. Shrubs are usually taller than 0.5 m and less than 3 m in height. Plants that grow over and cover ground areas are known as ground covers. They act as the bottom layer in a planting design. Groundcover has various advantages and can be used for different purposes. It can protect from drought & soil erosion. It is also used to

improve the aesthetical value of a landscape as it fills the area between trees & large plants. Vines are climbing plants that can spread in different directions. Vines can be used to control erosion as well as for protecting horizontal & vertical planes from the summer sun (**Figures 4** and **5**).

Plants can also be classified according to their lifespan. Ecological origin, growth habit & seasonal pattern of plants are important factors that have to be considered in a landscape design. Region or place from which a plant species originated is considered as its ecological origin. Therefore, plants can be either native or non- native. Native plants usually have an integrated growth habit & pattern with its native ecology. Native plants can provide food to native insects and birds, developing an

**Figure 4.**

*Trees with different foliage columnar, oval, weeping, conical and round-spread out. Source: Authors.*

**75**

*Source: Authors.*

**Table 1.**

*Energy-Efficient Landscape Design*

*DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5772/intechopen.94904*

1. Ground cover Typically grow to less 0.5 m

2. Shrubs It can be defined as being

3. Vines/Climbers Vines are climbing & rambling

4. Trees Trees measuring 3 to 6 m is

4a. Deciduous Deciduous plants are

**Sr. no. Name Physical characteristics Function/benefits**

15–30 cm high.

3 m in height.

plants.

trees`.

spring.

throughout the year.

4b. Evergreen Evergreen plants retain foliage

tall or are maintained at that height. In general, they reach

larger than 0.5 m, but less than

height can be classified as `small trees`, trees 6 to 9 m can be considered as `medium trees`, and trees taller than 9 m can be considered as `large

those which completely or significantly, shed their foliage during the winter or dry season. and remain bare for a period of time, followed by the growth of new leaves in the next growing season, typically

A groundcover is utilized to provide protection from erosion and drought, and to improve the esthetic appearance of a landscape by filling areas between large plants and trees.

Used for Esthetic purpose, Buffer and fencing also sometimes

Form and Foliage persistence of the tree perform various function, in terms of shading, wind breakers, cooling, buffering and also add

These trees are helpful for shading during the w Summer season and Allowing Sun light and warmth during the winter season.

All of these plants have special leaves that are resistant to cold and/ or moisture loss. Evergreens may continue to photosynthesize during

the winter or dry period.

Esthetic value.

They are used on man-made structures such as a trellis, a pergola, a balcony to protect from summer sun the horizontal and vertical planes. Various vines can also be used for an effective erosion control.

inter-relation with the native ecology. They usually require comparatively lesser resources & maintenance. So that, the use of non-native plant species may not help

Some plant species shed their leaves during a period of the year while some others keep their leaves throughout the year. So that annual retention of foliage is another factor that has to be considered in landscape design as this foliage retention pattern can have a larger impact on its properties such as protection from sun & wind. Landscape can implement improvements by applying principles & practices that are environmentally friendly. Some of the changes that can be made in the micro-climate of urban public green spaces, streets & housing by proper planning,

the native ecology & also can have negative impacts in some cases.

*Classification of vegetation on the basis of physical characteristics and function.*

implementation & management of landscape are (**Table 1**).

• Increasing the esthetic value

• Increasing the real estate value

**Figure 5.** *Typical broad-leaved-evergreen tree with large canopy. Source: Authors.*

*Energy-Efficient Landscape Design DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5772/intechopen.94904*

*Design of Cities and Buildings - Sustainability and Resilience in the Built Environment*

the summer sun (**Figures 4** and **5**).

improve the aesthetical value of a landscape as it fills the area between trees & large plants. Vines are climbing plants that can spread in different directions. Vines can be used to control erosion as well as for protecting horizontal & vertical planes from

Plants can also be classified according to their lifespan. Ecological origin, growth habit & seasonal pattern of plants are important factors that have to be considered in a landscape design. Region or place from which a plant species originated is considered as its ecological origin. Therefore, plants can be either native or non- native. Native plants usually have an integrated growth habit & pattern with its native ecology. Native plants can provide food to native insects and birds, developing an

**74**

**Figure 5.**

**Figure 4.**

*Typical broad-leaved-evergreen tree with large canopy. Source: Authors.*

*Trees with different foliage columnar, oval, weeping, conical and round-spread out. Source: Authors.*


### **Table 1.**

*Classification of vegetation on the basis of physical characteristics and function.*

inter-relation with the native ecology. They usually require comparatively lesser resources & maintenance. So that, the use of non-native plant species may not help the native ecology & also can have negative impacts in some cases.

Some plant species shed their leaves during a period of the year while some others keep their leaves throughout the year. So that annual retention of foliage is another factor that has to be considered in landscape design as this foliage retention pattern can have a larger impact on its properties such as protection from sun & wind. Landscape can implement improvements by applying principles & practices that are environmentally friendly. Some of the changes that can be made in the micro-climate of urban public green spaces, streets & housing by proper planning, implementation & management of landscape are (**Table 1**).

