Copyright Goodheart-Willcox Co., Inc. 264 Summary • Selection of the right plant material will enhance the design, please the client, and thrive in the landscape. • Trees are used to create shade, add color, provide wind protection, serve as sound buffers, and provide framework for a design. • Shrubs are woody plants that are available in a variety of heights and are referred to as dwarf, medium, or large shrubs. • Shrubs may be selected for fl ower color, growth habit, scent, fruit, or leaf color. • Cultivar selection is of utmost importance when selecting shrubs for a design because each cultivar possesses unique characteristics. • Herbaceous perennials are plants that die to the ground, become dormant, and return the next growing season. • Some herbaceous perennials are known for their blooms and growth habits but many are chosen for their unique foliage. • True ornamental grasses range in size from 12″ to over 10′ and are perennial grasses belonging to the Poaceae family. • Grass-like plants resemble grasses but belong to different families. • Ornamental grasses and grass-like plants are often tolerant of extreme site conditions (wet and dry). • Turfgrass is often the base on which the site is landscaped and it often occupies a large percentage of the landscape site. • Ground covers are low-growing, spreading plants that can quickly cover large areas. They are used for steep or problem areas as well as to create areas requiring little or no maintenance. • Vines are plants with a growth habit of climbing or trailing by attaching to structures with tendrils, twining, and/or aerial roots. Vines require a support system. • Edible landscaping incorporates edible plants in the ornamental areas of a design. • Geophytes are perennial plants that are divided into seven categories: bulbs, corms, tubers, tuberous stems, tuberous roots, rhizomes, and pseudobulbs. • Bedding plants are annual plants installed mainly for their seasonal fl oral or foliage presentation. • Border or line plants can be used to delineate property lines or provide a visual barrier between areas. • Facer plants can be placed at the base of larger plants for ground coverage and contrasting colors or textures. Bildagentur Zoonar GmbH/Shutterstock.com▼