Large Plants or Small Plants
Is Planting a Mature Landscape Better Than Using Young Plant Stock?
May 16, 2009
In an ideal world, home builders would construct new homes on lots with perfect natural landscaping already in place. Old-growth trees and established shrubs provide instant character.
The reality is that most new homes will need some form of supplemental landscaping that, over time, can add proportion, soften corners, and define outdoor living space.
A home builder could get immediate gratification by installing mature and semi-mature trees and shrubs for that “instant” landscape. But is this the best way to go? Is the full, lush appearance obtained by adding larger plants really a better solution than using young plant stock for a lean-and-mean look? There are pros and cons to both approaches.
Mature Landscape Basics
Large plants indicate boundaries and define space. Home builders can quickly create outdoor rooms, garden enclosures, and screens. The landscape appears full and rich almost immediately. Planted at close to their mature spacing, larger plants look more natural. The house seems to nestle within an established landscape.
Semi-mature plantings are more expensive. For example, a 3 gallon Camellia Sasanqua costs approximately $25.00. The same shrub in a 15 gallon box goes for $130.00. The difference in the cost of trees is even more. Home builders should budget accordingly.
Don’t forget installation. There's an aggravation factor when dealing with large plants. Home builders should prepare a plan showing where each plant will go. Then use it religiously. Large plants aren't easily repositioned on the ground, and wrestling them around to try out new planting arrangements is not feasible.
Landscape contractors should dig all planting holes in advance. Lease special equipment as needed to handle large trees and shrubs, as ball and burlap stock weighs a figurative ton. After planting, stake large trees to stabilize them against strong winds.
Figure the extra labor and material costs into the landscape budget. Are these costs reasonable? Include estimated maintenance costs, as mature plants may actually take longer to establish than small plants. Top-notch care is a must to keep from having to replace large, expensive plants.
Using Small Plants
Small plants cost much less, and are easier to handle. This allows home builders to try more off-the-cuff planting arrangements. While the plants are still in their pots, landscape contractors can move them to various spots in the planting beds, trying for the optimum aesthetic arrangement.
Small plants are also easier to establish. They'll grow faster than more mature specimens, and may actually catch up to larger plants of the same species in three to four years. Generally, young plant stock will take that long to grow together and start to look full. Maintenance should be simple, easier, and cost much less. And if some small plants are lost, there's no need to worry. They’re cheap, and easily replaced.
Small Plant Disadvantages
What’s the downside? Small plants are small. If the landscape contractor has spaced them correctly, they'll have lots of empty space between them. The landscape contractor can add “filler” plants such as bulbs, annuals, and fast-growth perennials to provide mass until the main plants catch up and fill in, but the home builder should be aware that it will take several years for the landscaping to appear lush.
Overcoming this problem by planting small plants too close together is not the answer. This practice will only cause overcrowding and maintenance problems, and create stunted and disease-prone plants. The home builder runs the risk of killing his best plant material.
Which solution is best? Think compromise. Add selected semi-mature trees and shrubs to bring the house into scale and anchor it to the site. Then bring in a mix of smaller plants. Use temporary, fast-growing plants to fill in the gaps. Gradually thin these plants out as the main planting matures.
Large and Small Plant Spacing Requirements
When planting both semi-mature and small plant stock, make sure the spacing is correct for the plant. Don’t rely so much on general plant texts. Planting requirements will vary by region. Home builders should check with area nurseries or county extension agents for the right distance to space plants in their areas.
Home builders can create practical, economical landscapes for their new homes. Just think through the project's needs, plan ahead, and put the landscape plan on paper. Then go to it. Installing plants sized to meet specific goals, budgets, and plant requirements will help ensure a healthy landscape - one that's functionally and aesthetically pleasing for years to come.
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