This document describes how to design sustainable landscapes using three categories of design principles: aesthetic, functional, and environmental. Aesthetic principles ensure the landscape is visually appealing, while functional principles address usability. Environmental principles focus on enhancing the landscape microclimate, increasing biodiversity, reducing resource use, and maximizing resource reuse. Implementing even a few of these sustainable design principles can benefit the environment and reduce maintenance costs for homeowners.
Influencing policy (training slides from Fast Track Impact)
Landscape Sustainability Guide
1. G1405
(Revised March 2009)
Landscape Sustainability
Steven N. Rodie, Extension Landscape Horticulture Specialist
Anne M. Streich, Horticulture Educator
Functional principles dictate whether the design will
This NebGuide describes how to use aesthetic,
be usable and will meet certain health and safety criteria.
functional and environmentally sound design principles
For example drainage must be routed away from the foun
,
to create a sustainable landscape.
dation of a home; sidewalks and outdoor spaces should be
sized appropriately for homeowner and visitor use; and
“Sustainable landscapes” commonly describes land landscapes should include areas dedicated to private, public,
scapes that support environmental quality and conservation and utility needs.
of natural resources. For many people, a sustainable land
scape is hard to understand or visualize. Other terms such Environmental Design Principles
as xeriscape, native landscape, and environmentally friendly
landscape have been used interchangeably to describe sus Environmental design is the third category of design
tainable landscapes. principles. The focus of these principles is to:
A well-designed sustainable landscape reflects a high
level of self-sufficiency. Once established, it should grow 1) enhance landscape microclimate;
and mature virtually on its own — as if nature had planted 2) increase biodiversity;
it. This self-sufficiency can be difficult to attain, however, 3) reduce resource inputs and resource waste; and
due to the environmental stresses and artificial conditions 4) maximize reuse of resources.
placed on plants in urban areas. In addition, many residents
may not be comfortable with the informality (less plant The diagrams on pages 2 and 3 illustrate how these principles
pruning, use of native plants which may lack the desirable can be implemented in a typical residential landscape.
aesthetic features of typical landscape plants, etc.) normally Enhance landscape microclimates through:
reflected in a sustainable landscape.
Adjusting to an informal landscape may take time for • channeling or screening winds;
many homeowners, but implementing just one or a few • shading structures and outdoor living areas from the
principles of sustainable design can significantly benefit summer sun while providing for winter sun exposure;
home landscapes. These benefits may include enhanced and
landscape beauty; less environmental decline; more effective • increasing or decreasing humidity (or the perception
use of water, pesticides and other chemical resources; more of humidity) through adjustments in air movement.
valuable wildlife habitat; and cost savings from reduced
maintenance, labor and resource use. These enhancements can lead to lower energy and water
use, healthier plants (which are capable of resisting diseases
Aesthetic and Functional Design Principles and insects with less chemical assistance), and more usable
outdoor living space.
Many design principles typically are reflected in a well- Biodiversity refers to the natural variety of plants, ani
designed landscape. Although sustainable landscapes may mals, fungi, and microorganisms found in all ecosystems.
appear more “natural” and less manicured, they still rely Increasing biodiversity, whether in a backyard, neigh orhood
b
on all of the standard design principles to create a visually park, or along regional creeks, brings many benefits to
appealingcombination of plants and materials. landscapes.
Aesthetic principles including accent, contrast, har Planting landscapes that more closely reflect native
mony, repetition and unity ensure the design is attractive, plant communities can enhance biodiversity. To achieve this,
visually compatible and has a “sense of fit” with the sur developunderstory/overstory vegetation similar to the layer
rounding landscape. ing of plants in a natural forest. Biodiversity also assumes
(Continued on page 4)
2. Illustrated Sustainable Design Principles
in a Residential Landscape, Part A
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2 6
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1. Windbreaks and shelterbelts conserve energy, 5. Grouping similar plants into masses creates a
control drifting snow, provide food and shelter for strongervisual impact and interest in the landscape,
wild ife, screen unwanted views, filter dust and
l copies natural plant community structure, and
noise, and create microclimates that benefit plant produces stronger edges in the landscape that are
health. important for both aesthetics and habitat.
2. Berms (gradually sloped mounds of soil) help 6. Selectively use higher maintenance turfgrasses in
definelandscape spaces by creating sloping “walls” areas of high visibility, access, and use.
along pathways or between different areas, elevating
plants for better visibility, and improving drainage 7. Use lower maintenance turfgrasses and prairie or
and growing conditions for plants in poor soil. adapted grasses in areas of low use and access (not
necessarily low visibility).
3. Ornamental grasses tolerate a wide variety of con
ditions, provide food and cover for wildlife and 8. Use organic mulch in all planting beds to increase soil
offer year-round visual interest. Many of these water retention, reduce weeds, visually strengthen
ornamental grasses are native to the Great Plains. bed lines through the color and texture contrast
between the mulch and turf, minimize short-term
4. Groundcover plants used on steep slopes eliminate swings in soil temperatures, and enhance soil struc
dangerous turf mowing conditions, lessen precipi ture and organic matter content.
tation runoff and soil erosion, and provide additional
visual interest and biodiversity.
3. Illustrated Sustainable Design Principles
in a Residential Landscape, Part B
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9. A properly designed, installed and calibrated irri 15. Composting garden waste and applying the resulting
gation system minimizes uneven or wasteful water organic matter in the landscape improves growing
application. conditions and recycles valuable resources.
10. Group plants with similar water needs to avoid 16. Using recycled and/or local-source building
over- or under-watering. materials (plastic lumber, prairie fieldstone, etc.)
can help develop markets for recycled products,
11. Use drip irrigation for shrub beds and other beds to
lessen product and installation costs and visually
minimize water waste.
tie developed landscapes to the character of natural
12. Properly select plants for the conditions in which they landscapes.
are placed (example: sun and wind exposure, soil
17. Manipulating microclimates by using overhead
type and soil moisture conditions). Properly selected
vines, shade structures, and trees enhances the liv
plants will ensure a healthy landscape with minimal
ability of outdoor spaces.
need for chemicals or additional management.
18. Raised beds improve access to plants, make it easier
13. Landscape “vertically” as nature does. Placing small
to manage the soil, and improve growing conditions
plants and groundcovers under small trees under
by increasing soil aeration and drainage.
large trees enhances both visual and biological
diversity. 19. Where feasible, use plantings to connect developed
landscapes with natural landscape areas. These
14. Creating wildlife habitat draws birds and other ani
integrated landscapes are considered more envi
mals, which add to the aesthetics of the landscape
ronmentally valuable than small, scattered areas
and offer biological control of unwanted insects.
of vegetation.