In many instances, the Landscape Architect’s introduction to a computer is for plant selection. It seems that many Landscape Architects familiar with computers take immediately to writing programs to aid plant selection decisions, while the novice computer user often asks for a plant selection program as a first software package. Some reasons in favor of such a software package are that they are relatively inexpensive, easy to use and provide useful information almost instantly.

There are a number of software programs available to Landscape Architects. Most programs work on MS-DOS and Macintosh machines. In nearly all cases, if a program is available for both systems, the program’s visual output is the same. There are programs available for Southeastern plants, Eastern plants, Western plants and programs that include plants for the entire continental United States and North America.

The program contains a database of approximately 750 plants. Using search functions to select a plant can take a user through 38 categories that use 967 individual plant characteristics ranging from fruit color to historical periods. The database, unlike much database information, is spliced together from many different sources. The bibliography cites more than 200 references the author used in selecting information for inclusion in the database.

As with all plant selection programs, the major focus is that the user be able to select a plant based on desired characteristics. The screens are visually appealing, displaying information around each plant in an easy-to-view format. Figure 1 is an example of a plant file for a Red Maple (Acer rubrum), and one of three separate screens that contain information for this plant. On this screen, facts about hardiness zones, mature height and width, PH requirements, flower color and time, form, foliage color (fall and winter) are provided.

Each Plant Selection Program Has Its Own Personality

The selection process for each individual characteristic is also very simple. A screen comes up for each of the 38 categories and the user highlights the desired characteristic. Figure 2 is an example of the screen allowing the selection of the hardiness zone. In this example, Zone 8A was selected, with minimum temperatures of 10-15 degrees F.

Although only one zone was selected in this example, it is possible to select more than one zone or more than one of any of the individual characteristics. This feature expands the power of the program.

A helpful feature to the P.L.A.N.T.S. program is that after each characteristic selection is made, a small box appears, providing the number of plants that fit the particular characteristic. The program narrows the number of plants by using the database from the prior selection. For example, a plant with the following characteristics is desired: Hardiness Zone 8; Type Tree – Deciduous; Height – 45-60 feet; Flower – Red; Fall Color – Red. The program may first choose 45 plants that grow in Zone 8. From that database, it selects 31 plants that are deciduous. From those, it locates 15 that have a height of 45’ – 60’. Next using only the 15 plants from the last selection, the program locates three that have a red flower, and finally, from those, selects one that has a red fall color. By searching in this manner, it’s easy to visualize how the program narrows the selection and which details are the most restrictive characteristics. There are many plant selection programs on the market. Each one has its own personality, based on the programmer’s own bias. Most programs allow the Landscape Architect the opportunity to add plants, delete plants and in some cases, make major modifications to the plant’s characteristics file. The selection programs generally aid Landscape Architects in expanding their palette of plants. These programs can also be of value in helping to select plants for areas where a Landscape Architect may not be familiar with local materials. In most cases, it’s an easy and inexpensive way for the practitioner to unlock the door to computing.

More information on this program can be obtained from Michael G. Bacon, 106 W. Pennsylvania #1508, Redlands, CA 92374.

Scott Weinberg is a professor at the University of Georgia and LASN’s Associate Editor for computer projects.