ABSTRACT
Planting that is primarily structural, as well as creating space, will also endow that space with its decorative, visual qualities. A display border within a hedged enclosure and courtyard planting in pots and beds are examples, and for this kind of planting it is the decorative, visual characteristics that are the key to success. The appearance of an individual plant or a plant group can be analysed in terms of the visual properties of form, line, texture and colour. In addition to the energetic qualities of coarse-textured plants, their substantial foliage and sturdy stems give them visual weight and solidity. Planting can be designed for high or low visual energy overall. The visual effect of a 'screen' of Lombardy poplars, regardless of spacing, is like a rank of stiffly upright sentries standing guard over an ugly installation – it draws attention to what it screens.
