ABSTRACT
The scope of planting design can range from revegetation of degraded areas, through the creation of naturalistic meadows, to display gardens of demanding ornamentals. This represents a spectrum of levels of intervention in the natural process of succession. At one end is ecologically determined planting, employing species well adapted to the various site conditions, which will grow and develop with minimal preparation and subsequent management. At the other is intensive horticulture, in which the growing medium and microclimate are modified to as great an extent as necessary to suit the plants to be grown, and the process of competition and succession are carefully managed throughout the life of the planting. The selection of plants is to thrive or naturalize in more demanding sites that there is no substitute for personal, systematic observation, but when consulting other resources it is always wise to look for habitat and other ecological information about a plant.
