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Landscape Design Manual
City of Palm Desert
City of Palm Desert Landscape Design Manual
Table of Contents
I. Introduction B. Water Calculations
(1) Water conservation in design
II. Purpose (2) Irrigation design
III. Organization VI. Part Three: City Approval Process
IV. Part One: Desert Landscape Design Principles A. Landscape plans that require City approval
B. Types of landscape review
A. Design Criteria C. Submittal requirements
(1) Texture D. City Approval Process Flow Chart
(2) Movement
(3) Color VII. Part Four: Appendix
(4) Placement
(5) Inorganics A. Palm Desert Environment
(1) Temperature
B. Plant Materials in the “Below ground”, “Ground level” (2) Soils
and “Above ground” environments: (3) Wind
(1) Trees (4) Water
(2) Shrubs
(3) Groundcovers B. Maintenance
(1) Pruning
V. Part Two: Design Process (2) Scalping
A. Site analysis C. Irrigation
(1) Topography D. Green waste
(2) Light / shadow E. List of City Landscape Related ordinances
(3) Wind
(4) Subterranean infrastructure (existing and VIII. Part Five: Glossary
proposed)
IX. References and Links
City of Palm Desert Landscape Design Manual Table of Contents 2
I. INTRODUCTION
Landscape is a key element in the definition and preservation of a city’s character. The commitment to retain the unique aesthetic standards of
the desert has long been a vision of the City of Palm Desert and progressive environmental programs, many of which are the first of their kind
ever instituted in the region, are firmly established in the City. In order to uphold the distinctive beauty of the city’s scenery, an exceptional
environmental approach is necessary.
To meet this goal, the City has set standards to promote preservation and conservation, as evidenced in its water efficiency programs, energy
conservation and recycling efforts. Promoting and following the principles offered in this Landscape Design Manual, will make a lasting aesthetic
and sustainable contribution to the community.
II. PURPOSE
The purpose of the Landscape Design Manual is to supply guidelines for creating appealing, enduring and desert-appropriate landscapes while
remaining mindful of water conservation principles and the effects of microclimate on the environment. The manual is written to assist
landscape architects, irrigation designers, contractors, project planners, and the public in the selection of suitable plant materials that will
successfully grow, be easily maintained, and be efficiently reviewed and permitted by the City’s departments.
The Landscape Design Manual is intended to be applied to Single-Family Master Plan, Multi-Family, Commercial, Mixed Use, and Industrial
developments. The manual is also intended to assist applicants who wish to renovate and retrofit existing landscape on their property.
III. ORGANIZATION
The Landscape Design Manual is organized into three main sections, Desert Landscape Design Principles, Design Process, and the City Approval
Process. The manual also includes a glossary for reference on terminology and an appendix containing an illustrated background of the City’s
environment. Finally, a reference list of landscape-related City ordinances is included.
City of Palm Desert Landscape Design Manual Introduction 3
IV. Part One: DESERT LANDSCAPE DESIGN PRINCIPLES
A. Design Criteria
Part one of the manual, Desert Landscape Design Principles,
includes a description of five Design Criteria against which all plans
for proposed landscape construction will be evaluated. Meeting the
following Design Criteria provides sufficient basis for a successful
planting design:
(1) Texture
(2) Movement
(3) Color
(4) Placement
(5) Inorganics
Each of the above criteria is described in further detail in the pages
that follow. Examples of how to successfully satisfy the criteria are
offered. To gain approval, a design must use an effective
combination of all design criteria, and must additionally comply
with all aspects of the water usage, parking lot and shade tree
ordinances. A list of applicable City landscape-related ordinances is
included in the Appendix.
City of Palm Desert Landscape Design Manual 4
IV. Part One: DESERT LANDSCAPE DESIGN PRINCIPLES
A. Design Criteria continued
Sketches and photographs are provided to define the five “Design
Criteria” and further illustrate how to successfully incorporate
these criteria into a successful and sustainable landscape. The
Landscape Design Manual recommends that plant material be
specified from, or be similar species in type and water needs to
those listed in the City’s Desert Flora Palette booklet.
Following the “Design Criteria” section, a section to discuss the use
of “Plant Materials” in design is included. Specification of trees,
shrubs and groundcovers are reviewed not only for their success in
meeting the five “Design Criteria”, but also for the way in which
they are designed to fit within the physical limitations of the built
environment.
These limitations are based on below ground, ground level, and
above ground conditions and restrictions. A description of these
typical environments is included with illustrations.
City of Palm Desert Landscape Design Manual 5
IV. Part One: DESERT LANDSCAPE DESIGN PRINCIPLES
A. Design Criteria continued
(1) Texture
The use of differing textures in outdoor spatial design adds surface
variety. Texture can be used to direct the eye toward bold
punctuations or soft flowing momentum. Following the principles
of coarseness versus fine textures and the principle of loose
clustering can help achieve a balanced use of texture.
Coarse vs. Fine textures:
Coarse and fine qualities in the landscape are created by differences
in leaf size, in the mass and void of foliage, bulk and narrowness of
tree trunks and branches, and strength and size of flowers. Textures
are sometimes perceived differently by the quantity of light as it
changes during the day. Strong structural pieces such as agave are
considered coarse. Bougainvillea, with its contrast of bare bark and
sporadic profusion of colored-bracts, is also considered coarse in
quality.
Rough, coarse textures tend to create an informal mood and are
visually dominant, while fine, smooth textures are associated with
formal, elegant, subdued moods and are visually more passive. Fine-
textured plants are visually translated as being farther away, so fine
textures can be a tool for providing a sense of expanse in a small
garden and making the space appear larger.
The predominance of coarse-textured plants make a garden space
appear smaller. Strong textural contrasts add drama and interest to
a garden. Structural plants such as cactus, yucca, agave, ocotillo
interspersed with fine-foliage plants and inorganic materials are
ways of adding textural interest to any space.
City of Palm Desert Landscape Design Manual 6
IV. Part One: DESERT LANDSCAPE DESIGN PRINCIPLES
A. Design Criteria continued
(1) Texture continued
Loose Clustering:
While the city discourages the landscape design technique of mass
planting, or unnatural bulk grouping, (a style more common in
wetter climates), the natural pattern of the desert habitat does
include the concept of loose clustering of similar species. This
concept can add texturally to any design, whether using coarse or
fine materials.
How to achieve an acceptable level of texture in landscape design:
• Combine plants of differing leaf sizes placed in clusters of same
against different.
• Utilize plants whose structural patterns vary - for example, tree
trunks with widely spaced branches, with trunks whose branching
pattern is upright and tight).
• Place coarse plants only in larger landscapes where they can be
appreciated from a distance.
• Vary leaf size, growth pattern seasonal color, etc., utilizing a sense
of unplanted ground space to accentuate the plant selection.
City of Palm Desert Landscape Design Manual 7
IV. Part One: DESERT LANDSCAPE DESIGN PRINCIPLES
A. Design Criteria continued
(2) Three-Dimensional Movement
Movement is measured by the sequence and hierarchy of plant
material or inorganic decorative elements as the eye dances over
the landscape. Movement refers to the rhythms that can develop
when line, form, texture, and color are changed in a consistent way
to lead in a particular direction or to a point of focus. Sequence
helps connect various design elements. It can be achieved through
repetition, being careful to avoid monotony; or by progression or
hierarchy, such as using textures in graded steps from fine to
coarse; or by alternating or repeating two or more contrasting
features; or by highlighting size differences. Topographical changes,
including the use of mounds, berms, or swales, can also create a
sense of movement.
Focal Points:
The application of focal points in a landscape design conveys a
sense of order. It is best achieved by utilizing movement to direct
the eye to a specimen tree or sculpture, fountain or other marker.
Plant material focal points are listed in the City’s booklet Desert
Flora Palette as “Accents.”
City of Palm Desert Landscape Design Manual 8
IV. Part One: DESERT LANDSCAPE DESIGN PRINCIPLES
A. Design Criteria continued
(2) Three-Dimensional Movement continued
Rhythm:
Rhythm implies a recognizable pattern. Whether symmetrical or
not, shapes and volumes should convey movement through a
rhythmic pattern. For example, as the eye moves through the
landscape there should be deliberate reasons for large passages of
space and the deliberate spacing may or may not remain consistent.
Sequencing of vertical and horizontal elements:
In order to create three-dimensional movement a designer should
be familiar with the growth patterns of their plant choices.
Designers should be able to illustrate how a particular proposed
plant community will interact to create a three-dimensional
relationship.
How to achieve an acceptable level of Three-Dimensional
Movement:
• Specify plant material of differing heights and shapes.
• Utilize color to move the eye.
• Propose an accent plant where appropriate.
• Create patterns with repetition of shapes, or volumes of plants in
sequence.
• Artificially enhance soil surface elevations through the use of
mounds, berms or swales.
•
City of Palm Desert Landscape Design Manual 9
IV. Part One: DESERT LANDSCAPE DESIGN PRINCIPLES
A. Design Criteria continued
(3) Color
The most environmentally successful plantings are those that best
align with the existing natural vegetation. Nurseries do offer species
that provide a rich color range that would remain complementary to
the hues found in the desert’s natural environment. The City’s
Desert Flora Palette booklet can help serve as a guide.
Natural desert color palette:
The natural desert foliage or leaf color ranges from gray, gray green
to olive and bright green. Succulents can be blue gray to purple.
Desert plants bloom typically in red, orange and yellow. Pinks and
purples blooms are not as common. Environmentally, the choices
for color are most suitable when they are capable of withstanding
the climate. Therefore, emulating the desert’s vegetation is the best
choice rather than choosing “annual” color from a different climate
zone.
Dynamic/seasonal:
Designing with the natural flow of the seasons is the most suitable
choice for the desert climate. This means more blooms in the late
winter and early spring and fewer in the summer or fall.
Contrast:
Contrasting colors create balance and interest. A single color theme
results in an atypical desert arrangement. Sites that are designed
with all blooms occurring at the same time are also discouraged.
City of Palm Desert Landscape Design Manual 10
IV. Part One: DESERT LANDSCAPE DESIGN PRINCIPLES
A. Design Criteria continued
(3) Color
Light and shade effects:
Some colors have greater impact when placed in the shade while
other colors are more intense in the sunlight. It is recommended
that the designers know their plant materials sufficiently to
underscore color with optimum placement.
How to achieve an acceptable level of color placement
• Consider color as having a purposeful placement in the landscape
plan.
• Consider the source of color of the plants specified, i.e., the bark
of trees, leaves of shrubs, blooms of perennials and stems and
bodies of succulent plants.
• Design by placing strong colors as accents in the landscape.
• Choose plants for their contrast of color such as orange and
purple, or for sequential blooming periods throughout the year.
• Alternate strong and subtle colors.
• Avoid monochromatic palettes unless they are part of a larger
design scheme.
City of Palm Desert Landscape Design Manual 11
IV. Part One: DESERT LANDSCAPE DESIGN PRINCIPLES
A. Design Criteria continued
(4) Placement
The City of Palm Desert has a long established tradition of
environmental sustainability. Successful spacing of plants assures ease
of maintenance, longevity, and sustainability in your design. When
reviewing landscape plans, the principles of sustainability with respect
to maintenance, green waste, and water conservation are priorities.
City staff will look for over-all consistency with respect to long-term
maintenance of a proposed planting design.
The desert’s natural growth pattern:
The desert’s natural growth pattern is characterized by casual clusters
of living plants grouped with boulders and cobble. These organic and
inorganic clusters can include random large shrubs and mature trees.
In the naturally occurring desert landscape, living plant materials grow
out of wide expanses of rocky soils and sand. Occasionally, boulders
and other groups of rocks gather in lower spots. This pattern emerges
due to gravity’s effect on slopes where water drainage and cobble
erosion settle.
When mass planting is acceptable:
Although large areas of mass plantings are considered inconsistent
with desert landscape design, certain site and project specifics may
warrant small accent areas of mass planting. Mass planting will be
considered if it serves a clear and unique design purpose that
highlights a specific architectural or site feature. Combined mass
planted areas should not comprise more than ten percent of the total
landscaped area.
City of Palm Desert Landscape Design Manual 12
IV. Part One: DESERT LANDSCAPE DESIGN PRINCIPLES
A. Design Criteria continued
(4) Plant Spacing and Massing continued
How to achieve an acceptable level of plant spacing:
• Design with random patterns that employ a balanced use of
unplanted areas and areas utilizing boulders, living groundcovers,
shrubs and trees.
• Use care when spacing for the use of public art, monument signs,
meandering walks, or other unnatural materials.
• Design to create easily maintained clusters, and consider the
plants’ mature sizes.
• Leaving negative or unplanted space is desirable.
City of Palm Desert Landscape Design Manual 13
IV. Part One: DESERT LANDSCAPE DESIGN PRINCIPLES
A. Design Criteria continued
(5) Inorganic Materials
So much of what characterizes the natural desert landscape is the
rugged contrast of plant life against inert rocks, boulders and sandy
soils. Nature’s placement of these boulders and their natural
decomposition also plays a role in reflecting heat away from plant
roots.
Unlike tropical environments where plant materials completely
cover and smooth out most small topographic features, the natural
designs of the desert leave landforms, surface colors and textures
clearly exposed. Natural features include: dry streambeds, dunes,
eroded ridges and rock outcroppings.
Since most grading plans include drainage swales, they can be
incorporated as dry streambeds. By combining streams and
mounds of varying sizes, landscapes can be divided into three to five
sections where other contrasting elements can focus attention.
Since desert landscapes inherently involve fewer plants (which
initially are very small) and large areas of open unplanted space,
every aspect of the design must contribute interest and diversity to
the overall plan.
City of Palm Desert Landscape Design Manual 14
IV. Part One: DESERT LANDSCAPE DESIGN PRINCIPLES
A. Design Criteria continued
(5) Inorganic Materials continued
Natural Placement vs. Artificial Design
The goal of desert design must be to minimize water usage while
maximizing the aesthetic impact of indigenous desert materials,
that is, a balance of both organic (plants) and inorganic (gravel and
boulders) with surface topography. The native desert scape
inherently involves fewer plants and large areas of open unplanted
space. These areas have a random natural placement that is neither
symmetrical nor predictable.
Natural placement is the consequence of natural systems and
forces. For example, gravity, erosion, the presence of water or
shade, etc. are forces that shape the physical horizons we
experience each day in the desert.
Artificial design follows a deliberate symmetry, a pattern imposed
by human aesthetics. This type of design contradicts the native
desert scape and thus forces an artificial order to the landscape.
City of Palm Desert Landscape Design Manual 15
IV. Part One: DESERT LANDSCAPE DESIGN PRINCIPLES
A. Design Criteria continued
(5) Inorganic Materials continued
Color enhancement and harmony
The purpose of utilizing cobble and decomposed granite as a
decorative element is to both create a stabilization for the sandy
soils and to assist surface water to drain rather than be evaporated
from the soil surface. Shape and color choices serve to create
contrasts that can be complementary and further the aesthetic and
sustainable intent of a landscape design.
It is recommended that color choices be made congruent with
natural soil colors. However, there are places in the desert where
darker inorganic materials occur and can help to brightly contrast
succulents. These would be considered on a case by case basis, and
approved for their aesthetic functionality.
Harmony is achieved when the designer is mindful of stone and
cobble shapes and the source of their formation in nature.
Generally speaking, round stones are river-formed while jagged-
edged rocks are formed by the natural decomposition of fragments
in a dry environment. Utilizing river rock is acceptable when the
design adheres to an arroyo theme, for example.
City of Palm Desert Landscape Design Manual 16
IV. Part One: DESERT LANDSCAPE DESIGN PRINCIPLES
A, Design Criteria continued
(5) Inorganic Materials continued
How to achieve acceptable levels of inorganic materials
• A variety of rock sizes, from fine decomposed granite to gravel
and large boulders adds interest to open unplanted areas, without
consuming any water.
• Utilize decomposed granite (DG) to add a variety of colors, texture
and to stabilize fine dusty native soils.
• DG ranges in size from course sand to 3/8” minus with 11% fines.
Colors should incorporate a variety of compatible earth tones.
• Since a goal of all desert design is to minimize heat gain, lighter
shades should predominate. Large gravel (2-3 inches) can be
mixed in to accentuate topographic variety. Rounded gravel and
cobble (2”-12”) are appropriate in streambeds.
• Large sharp edged rocks (8”-24”, or larger depending on size of
garden area) can be grouped on top of mounds to simulate
exposed outcroppings.
• Decomposed granite needs to be wetted and compacted during
installation to properly stabilize native soils. This process should
be specified on submitted plans.
City of Palm Desert Landscape Design Manual 17
IV. Part One: DESERT LANDSCAPE DESIGN PRINCIPLES
B. Plant Materials
When considering an applicant’s plant material choices, the city will
utilize the following three environments to evaluate the
appropriateness of plant selection:
“Below ground”
“Ground level”
“Above ground”
Below ground:
The below ground environment includes the subterranean placement of
This space is reserved to illustrate
proposed or existing utilities, permanent water features or water
infiltration basins, and the remaining subterranean space on the project
the below, ground and above
site away from the structure footings. Good design includes specifying
environments. Best illustrated with
plant material that coordinates those items with the space required for
root system expansion, irrigation system placement and percolation of
sketches.
the site.
Ground Level:
The ground level environment includes the hardscape (roadways,
parking lots, sidewalks, synthetic-pervious pathways, patios, pads for
public art, etc.) drainage swales, utility vaults, specified boulders,
decomposed granite and living ground-covering plants. At the ground
level, there still needs to be sufficient soil for the ground-covering plants
to spread and be properly irrigated.
Above ground:
Pedestrian, vehicular, and structural clearances are priorities.
Functionality of shade and aesthetic compatibility with the rest of
design are also evaluated.
City of Palm Desert Landscape Design Manual 18
IV. Part One: DESERT LANDSCAPE DESIGN PRINCIPLES
B. Plant materials continued
When/where to use TREES:
Adequate space in all three environments is necessary and must be
planned in advance to allow for mature tree development and root
expansion. Trees are highly regarded for their shade and aesthetic value.
The recommended minimum tree box size specification for commercial
and residential developments is 24”. When specifying TREES consider the
following features:
Below ground:
• Soil type
• Infrastructure (utility tunnels, pipes, electrical, fiber optic)
• Existing or proposed hardscape and building foundations
• Swimming pools or decorative below grade water features
This space is reserved to illustrate
• Dry wells, catch basins, drainage chambers
the below, ground and above
• Sometimes water tables or proximity to major natural
watercourses
environments for TREES. Best
illustrated with sketches.
At Ground level:
• Easements
• Pavement preparation, soil compaction
• Location of existing or proposed roads, sidewalks, bike paths, golf
cart access, handicap access
• Spread of non-turf ground cover
• Functional usage of turf
• Existing or proposed surface slopes, grades, ditches
Above ground:
• Consider the remaining plant palette and the placement of ground
level plants that would require full sun or affected by tree litter.
• Account for trees whose narrowness, fullness, shade or height
could be a problem to any of the proposed design features at
ground level.
City of Palm Desert Landscape Design Manual 19
IV. Part One: DESERT LANDSCAPE DESIGN PRINCIPLES
B. Plant Materials continued
When/where to use SHRUBS:
Adequate space in all three environments to allow for mature shrub
development and root expansion is necessary and must be planned
in advance. Despite their use in the landscape as screens, as
This space is reserved to illustrate
understory and foundation planting, as edge materials, and for their
the below, ground and above
color appeal, most shrubs require special maintenance. Access for
pruning, hedging and raking increases their long-term aesthetic environments for TREES. Best
value. Shrub placement is primarily evaluated by its growth pattern.
illustrated with sketches.
When specifying SHRUBS consider the following features
Below ground:
• Soil type
• Infrastructure (utility tunnels, pipes, electrical, fiber optic)
• Existing and/or proposed hardscape and building foundations
• Swimming Pools or decorative below grade water features
• Dry wells, catch basins, drainage chambers
• Sometimes water tables or proximity to major natural
watercourses
City of Palm Desert Landscape Design Manual 20
IV. Part One: DESERT LANDSCAPE DESIGN PRINCIPLES
B. Plant Materials continued
When/where to use SHRUBS continued:
This space is reserved to illustrate
At Ground level:
the below, ground and above
• Plant spread at full grown stage
environments for SHRUBS. Best
• Evergreen, semi-deciduous, deciduous
• Circulation clearances
illustrated with sketches.
• Existing or proposed building and garden wall clearances
• Thorns or other difficult maintenance issues
Above ground:
• Shrubs are most instrumental in creating three-dimensional
movement; shrub height and texture are important factors in
evaluating acceptable placement
• Bloom season
• Function in design; clustering, lineal, focal point, screen,
foundation planting, etc.
City of Palm Desert Landscape Design Manual 21
IV. Part One: DESERT LANDSCAPE DESIGN PRINCIPLES
B. Plant Materials continued:
When/where to use GROUNDCOVER:
Adequate design in all three environments is necessary to grow
successful groundcover. Proper utilization of groundcover species in
the planting design will allow for proper infiltration of water, soil
This space is reserved to
stability, and plant health.
illustrate the below ground
Groundcover, by the City of Palm Desert’s definition, is plant
and above environments for
material whose habit is prostrate (horizontal) and does not include
GROUNDCOVER. Best
turfgrass. Groundcovers are regarded for their ability to provide
color and greening, create a less dry, dusty environment, and
illustrated with sketches.
provide refuge that promotes biodiversity. Groundcovers actually
stabilize erosion, contributing to improved water infiltration.
When specifying GROUNDCOVER consider the following features
Below ground:
• Soil type
• Infrastructure (utility tunnels, pipes, electrical, fiber optic)
• Existing and/or proposed hardscape and building foundations
• Swimming Pools or decorative below grade water features
• Dry wells, catch basins, drainage chambers
• Sometimes water tables or proximity to major natural
watercourses
City of Palm Desert Landscape Design Manual 22
Part One: DESERT LANDSCAPE DESIGN PRINCIPLES
B. Plant Materials continued:
When/where to use GROUNDCOVER continued:
Features at Ground level:
• Groundcover spread at full grown stage
• Competitive elements such as roots of proposed or existing
This space is reserved to
trees and shrubs
• Circulation clearances
illustrate the below ground
• Existing or proposed building and garden wall clearances
and above environments for
• Thorns or other difficult maintenance issues
GROUNDCOVER. Best
Features Above Ground Level:
illustrated with sketches.
• Specified groundcover should supply texture in design, but also
provide sufficient access for maintenance, for example, raking,
weeding, and access to other plant materials.
• Offer adequate space to clear pedestrians at walkways and to
clear walls, fences, barrier posts or other vertical elements in
the landscape.
• Be planted to create an understory of color or contrast.
• Satisfy the requirement of creating dust and erosion control as
an above ground environmental concern.
City of Palm Desert Landscape Design Manual 23
V. Part Two: DESIGN PROCESS
A. Site analysis
(1) Topography
The project site topography, in any planting design, is the first item
to analyze. Slopes, natural swales, or hillsides must be considered
for successful plant development regarding evenness of irrigation
delivery. Equally the flatness of a site should be regarded a design
feature that may present challenges.
(2) Light/Shadow
The orientation of a site with respect to the sun and the amount of
sunlight that the planting will receive must be studied prior to plant
material specification. Most local nurseries will be able to assist in
the selection of plants that can sustain exposure to sun and heat
that is required as a result of the site’s orientation.
(3) Wind
Exposure to high winds at the location would drive certain design
elements to be specified, such as screen and windbreaks. Also
delicate plant material would be discouraged if the wind area is too
strong to allow longevity of the plants. (See additional information
in the Appendix.)
(4) Subterranean infrastructure
The project site infrastructure must be included in the plans.
Allowances for what exists or is proposed underground and above
ground will determine what can be planted.
City of Palm Desert Landscape Design Manual 24
V. Part Two: DESIGN PROCESS
B. Water Calculations
(1) Water Conservation in the design process
The City’s Water Efficient Landscape Ordinance requires that water
conservation be the cornerstone of the design criteria. The choice of
plant type and number will determine if the design will meet the
water conservation criteria of the ordinance. Therefore, any design
must be built around plant water use. If turf is desired, then very
low and low water use shrubs and trees may need to be used to
meet the required water use criteria. Conversely, if moderate and
high water use shrubs are used in the design, then the use of turf
maybe limited or excluded total from the design.
The City has a spreadsheet available on its website that will help
designers calculate the Maximum Allowable Water Use and
Estimated Water Use of a landscape design. This spreadsheet uses
the Coachella Valley Water District’s Eto Zone Map and the WUCOLS
manual to calculate the two values.
City of Palm Desert Landscape Design Manual 25
V. Part Two: DESIGN PROCESS
B. Water calculations continued
(2) Irrigation Design
All irrigation designs shall be reviewed by City staff for compliance
with the City’s Water Efficient Landscape Ordinance. All designs
This space is reserved to illustrate
must account for different water use characteristics of plant
material. Turf, shrubs, and trees shall be on separate valves.
hydrozoning. Or can be used to
depict location and installation of
Hydrozoning shall be used wherever possible. If hydrozoning is
the irrigation system as part of the
impractical due to space or cost constraints (such as street median
planters), differences in water use can be addressed by using
design process.
emitters with different flow rates.
All shrubs shall be irrigated by a drip system. Irrigation controllers
shall be able to automatically adjust the irrigation schedule
according to changes in weather (“Smart” capability). Soil moisture
sensors can be used to meet the “Smart” capability requirement.
City of Palm Desert Landscape Design Manual 26
VI. Part Three: City Approval Process
A. Landscape plans that require City approval
• New and retrofitted commercial and industrial projects
• Multi-family projects
• The common areas and model home yards of planned
residential developments.
B. Types of Landscape Review
There are two types of review the city administers to landscape
design projects:
(1) “Ministerial”
(2) “Discretionary”
The first is the type of review, which is called “Ministerial”, does not
require a public hearing, and is administered internally by City staff
through a plan check process. A flow chart illustrating in a general
manner the typical steps in this level of review is included in the
following pages of this section.
The second type of landscape review, which is called
“Discretionary”, requires a public hearing. A flow chart illustrating
generally the typical sequence of steps is included in the following
pages of this section. Both of the review processes require that
approximately the same level of information be submitted. In both
cases, plans that are legible and sufficiently supply the required
information will ensure an easier approval. The submittal
requirements are listed on the following page.
City of Palm Desert Landscape Design Manual 27
VI. Part Three: City Approval Process
C. Submittal Requirements for both Discretionary and Ministerial (2) Design Sheets
Review (A) Site Plan
Same Title block information as cover sheet
One set of preliminary landscape plans must be submitted to the Scope of work (existing vs. proposed)
Public Works Department concurrently with grading plans. Building footprints
Preliminary landscape plans must include, at a minimum, the Walls, fences, retaining walls, monument signs, etc.
following: Hardscape, pedestrian and vehicular paths
(1) Cover sheet (B) Planting Plan
Same title block information as cover sheet
(A) Vicinity map Plant Specifications
Sheet Location map /or sheet “Key” if several sheets or phases Size containers
Scale Quantity
Species: botanical and common name
(B) Project Data Availability
Square foot Area of project Symbol Legend
Zone Square footage of:
Turf
(C) Title Block Shrubs
Project name and number Total landscape area
Date of plan issue and/or submittal date (distinguish between off-site and on-site)
Address of the project
North arrow (C) Irrigation Plan
Name of the Landscape Architect/Landscape Designer Sleeving under hardscape
(D) Grading Plan
City of Palm Desert Landscape Design Manual 28
CITY OF PALM DESERT
LANDSCAPE DESIGN REVIEW AND APPROVAL PROCESS
OF FINAL DOCS WITH AGRICULTURAL COMMISSIONER SUBMIT ASMAKE ANY REQUIRED CHANGES, AND SUBMIT 2 SETS REVISE ACCORDING TO COMMENTS AND SUBMIT TO LANDSCAPE ARCHITECT AND LANDSCAPE INSPECTORPUBLIC
WORKS STAMPS AND DISTRIBUTES DOCS TO SUBMIT WORKING DRAWINGS TO PUBLIC WORKSSUBMIT APPLICATION AND PLANS TO PLANNING INCORPORATE COMMENTS AND PREPARE FINAL PUBLIC WORKS REVIEWS FOR
MUNICIPAL CODE PLANNING DEPARTMENT FOR PRELIMINARY PLANNING DEPARTMENT DISTRIBUTES TO CERTIFICATE OF OCCUPANCY IS ISSUEDARC REVIEW OF PRELIMINARY DESIGNCOMPLIANCE AND DESIGN CONCEPT(May
require more than 1 meeting)PLANNING COMMISSION REVIEW -CONSTRUCTION DOCUMENTSBUILT DRAWINGS TO PUBLIC WORKS FOR LANDSCAPE FINAL APPROVALBUILDING PERMIT IS ISSUEDSTAMP TO PUBLIC WORKSLANDSCAPE
APPROVALCITY COUNCIL REVIEW DEPARTMENTS FOR RECORD PURPOSES30DEPARTMENT(if required)(if required)-DAY REVIEW
VI. Part Three: City Approval Process
D. City Approval Process Flow Chart
Ministerial Review
THE FLOW CHART FOR MINISTERIAL HAS
YET TO BE DEVISED. THE FLOW CHART
SHOWN IS ONLY FOR PLACE-HOLDING
PURPOSES (REMOVE THIS MESSAGE WHEN
INSERTED)
City of Palm Desert Landscape Design Manual 29
CITY OF PALM DESERT
LANDSCAPE DESIGN REVIEW AND APPROVAL PROCESS
OF FINAL DOCS WITH AGRICULTURAL COMMISSIONER SUBMIT ASMAKE ANY REQUIRED CHANGES, AND SUBMIT 2 SETS REVISE ACCORDING TO COMMENTS AND SUBMIT TO LANDSCAPE ARCHITECT AND LANDSCAPE INSPECTORPUBLIC
WORKS STAMPS AND DISTRIBUTES DOCS TO SUBMIT WORKING DRAWINGS TO PUBLIC WORKSSUBMIT APPLICATION AND PLANS TO PLANNING INCORPORATE COMMENTS AND PREPARE FINAL PUBLIC WORKS REVIEWS FOR
MUNICIPAL CODE PLANNING DEPARTMENT FOR PRELIMINARY PLANNING DEPARTMENT DISTRIBUTES TO CERTIFICATE OF OCCUPANCY IS ISSUEDARC REVIEW OF PRELIMINARY DESIGNCOMPLIANCE AND DESIGN CONCEPT(May
require more than 1 meeting)PLANNING COMMISSION REVIEW -CONSTRUCTION DOCUMENTSBUILT DRAWINGS TO PUBLIC WORKS FOR LANDSCAPE FINAL APPROVALBUILDING PERMIT IS ISSUEDSTAMP TO PUBLIC WORKSLANDSCAPE
APPROVALCITY COUNCIL REVIEW DEPARTMENTS FOR RECORD PURPOSES30DEPARTMENT(if required)(if required)-DAY REVIEW
VI. Part Three: City Approval Process
D. City Approval Process Flow Chart
Discretionary Review
LEGEND:
APPLICANT ACTIVITIES IN ORANGE
CITY ACTIVITIES IN BLUE
City of Palm Desert Landscape Design Manual 30
VII. Part Four: APPENDIX
A. Palm Desert Environment
(1) Temperature:
The City of Palm Desert is located in the Coachella Valley, a region characterized by mild winters and hot summers.
Day to night temperatures can fluctuate about 30 degrees. Summer plants can be exposed to temperatures as high as
122˚ F. Winter temperatures can be as low as 13˚ F, with an average winter low of 42˚ F. The City of Palm Desert is
located at elevations that extend from 224 feet above sea level (at Highway 111 and San Pablo Avenue), to over
1,000 feet. This extensive range includes a variety of landforms and conditions, including foothills, sloping alluvial
fans, the Cove, sand dunes, and a low plane.
(2) Soils:
There are four basic soil types within the City of Palm Desert. Rocky soils and decomposed granite predominate on
alluvial fans along the slopes of the mountains. In the northern part of the City soils tend to be sandy. These three soil
types can be characterized as fast draining and have a limited water holding capacity. In the plane between the sand
dunes and the foothills the soil is generally a tight silty loam, which is very compact and requires special attention to
ensure proper drainage. All Palm Desert soils contain very little organic matter.
This space is reserved to illustrate perhaps typical
soils in the landscape.
City of Palm Desert Landscape Design Manual 31
VII. Part Four: Appendix
A. Palm Desert Environment continued
(2) Soils Continued
Desert soils are quite different from the loam or clay soils found in
other regions. Because they are, fast- draining, people new to the
region must learn different watering cues and habits. Here, the
plants themselves, rather than the water pooled on the soil surface,
provide the best indication of when water is needed.
(3) Precipitation
The City of Palm Desert receives, on average, only 3.5 inches of rain
per year. Much of this rain falls during intense summer
thunderstorms, locally called Chubascos, which can result in gully-
washers and flash floods. In fact, rather than hoping to put this
summer rainfall to use by directing it to plants in the landscape, it is
more prudent to move the torrent through the site to minimize
damage.
With such meager rainfall, supplemental irrigation is a necessity for
all landscapes, even those comprised of native desert plants. This is
especially true of newly planted plants. However, in some years
sufficient autumn rainfall triggers brilliant displays of spring
wildflowers, found from the Cabazon Pass throughout the valley. In
such years, it is easy to see colorful displays of wildflowers along
roadways in undeveloped areas, carpeting the sand dunes and
covering vacant lots.
City of Palm Desert Landscape Design Manual 32
VII. Part Four: Appendix
A. Palm Desert Environment continued
(4) Wind
Winds are most prevalent in the City of Palm Desert during late
winter and spring, coming through the San Gorgonio Pass. They
fluctuate with the changing pattern of westerly storms and coastal
weather conditions. Winds tend to follow the natural course set by
the Whitewater River Channel and are most pronounced in the
northern part of the City. Thermal low-pressure systems formed in
the low desert by rising hot air draw winds down through the pass.
This condition is most common when desert temperatures are
much warmer than coastal temperatures.
Winds desiccate (dry-out) plants, and can be a real threat to the
survival of a landscape. Winds do more than draw moisture from
plants: Once they reach a velocity of 25-30 miles per hour, dust and
sand begin to move. At 30-40 miles per hour, a dust storm may
develop, and it is not uncommon for winds to reach upwards of 60
miles per hour, which can cause severe damage.
Windbreaks can be placed strategically in the landscape to buffer
the effects of winds and blowing sand and dust. The illustration
(right) provides some guidelines for planting to reduce wind
velocity. Wind is a particular concern to landscapes in the northern
portion of the City where soils are sandy and the velocity tends to
be the greatest.
City of Palm Desert Landscape Design Manual 33
VII. Part Four: Appendix
A. Palm Desert Environment continued
(5) Water
Landscapes in the City of Palm Desert appear lush and green, but
with rainfall averaging 3.5 inches per year, rain alone would support
only a sparse scattering of native plants. With irrigation, however,
the desert springs to life. Water is the essential ingredient to
develop and maintain plant life in the City of Palm Desert.
Water is supplied to the City of Palm Desert by the Coachella Valley
Water District (CVWD), a water agency that serves the southern
portion of the Coachella Valley. Farms in the region receive water
for irrigation from a separate source, which is the Coachella branch
of the All American Canal, a canal system that brings Colorado River
water to the Imperial and Coachella Valleys.
The City's drinking water is supplied by a separate source-a large
aquifer (a natural underground water storage area) deep under the
Coachella Valley. Deep wells tap water of excellent quality for
domestic use, including landscaping.
City of Palm Desert Landscape Design Manual 34
VII. Part Four: Appendix
A. Palm Desert Environment continued
(5) Water continued
The Desert Water Agency (DWA), the water district that serves the
northern portion of the Coachella Valley, and the CVWD are
contractors for the State Water Project. This entitles each agency to
an annual allotment of State Water Project water.
Because there is no canal or pipeline linking the Coachella Valley to
the State Water Project, the CVWD and DWA trade their allotment
of state water, gallon for gallon, for Colorado River water.
During wet years, Colorado River water is funneled into large,
shallow ponds in the northern Coachella Valley that filter the water
and allow it to percolate into the underground aquifer. This is
known as recharge. When the Colorado River is running high, the
CVWD and DWA take additional water for future allotments.
During drought years water is not taken. It is through this process
that the underground aquifer is recharged and its depletion is
minimized.
City of Palm Desert Landscape Design Manual 35
VII. Part Four: Appendix
A. Palm Desert Environment continued
(5) Water continued
The average household of five in the Coachella Valley uses 1 acre-foot
of water, or 325,850 gallons per year. This equals more than 892
gallons per day. Of this water, as much as 70% is used to irrigate lawns
and landscape plants.
The CVWD estimates that by adopting a water-efficient landscape, the
average family could reduce their water usage (and water bill) by half.
Additionally, reclaimed water is available (at a reduced price) for
irrigation of large landscape projects such as golf courses. Currently,
the CVWD provides reclaimed water to several golf courses and has a
goal to reclaim 100% of the wastewater it processes.
As mentioned before, the Coachella Valley gets most of its water from
an aquifer, which is the remnant of a prehistoric lake that receded
ungrounded as the climate changed from wet subtropical to arid
desert. Local rainfall and mountain snows were no longer sufficient to
maintain the lake and surrounding lush subtropical environment. An
attempt to recreate that lush environment by pumping (or mining) the
prehistoric underground reservoir will ultimately drain it entirely,
leaving nothing for future generations.
Residential and commercial landscape design must recognize and
accept both the constraints and unique opportunities present in a hot,
dry environment where every drop of water is precious.
With the addition of the water line that connects the Colorado River
water with the CVWD reclamation plant in Palm Desert; the mixing of
these two water sources will provide for better quality that will
increase the numbers of golf courses served. This will also lessen the
rate of depletion of the aquifer.
City of Palm Desert Landscape Design Manual 36
VII. Part Four: Appendix
A. Palm Desert Environment continued
(5) Water continued
California Irrigation Management Information System (C.I.M.I.S.)
Many golf courses, parks and greenbelts maintained by homeowner
associations have their irrigation systems linked by computer to the
California Irrigation Management Information System (C.I.M.I.S.),
managed by the Department of Water Resources in Sacramento.
This computer-operated system calculates and informs the public as
to the day's evapotranspiration (ET) rate for selected regions within
California. Evapotranspiration is the water lost through evaporation
from both the soil and transportation from plant tissues.
The ET rate is the amount of moisture a plant needs to maintain life.
By knowing the ET rate, you can supply plants the precise amount of
water they require, avoiding wasteful overwatering. The Coachella
Valley has three reporting stations to help ensure accuracy located
at PGA West, Thermal and College of the Desert in Palm Desert. The
system is available to everyone by either radio, computer or by
phone. For more information on current weather call CVWD’s
weather report at (760) 398-7211.
City of Palm Desert Landscape Design Manual 37
VII. Part Four: Appendix
B. Maintenance
(1) Pruning
The success of a landscape whether measured by its beauty or
longevity is the result of the ease and efficiently of its
maintenance. Therefore thinking ahead regarding maintenance
practices and standards should be part of the design process and
will be evaluated in the first phases of conceptual approvals.
Although the City has created a manual to illustrate the procedures
to promote consistent landscape work standards, the following are
typical methods suggested to demonstrate that the eventual
maintenance is considered in the proposed design:
• Allow sufficient space when specifying desert shrubs. Most
desert shrubs grow in a loose wide pattern.
• Do not place plant material in cobble.
• Use lawn only when functional, not decorative.
• When locating trees, be aware of potential building overhangs,
the nearness to walls, and the appropriate the planter area for
its likely proposed growth.
• Be mindful of what is planted under trees.
• When specifying palms in clusters allow room for frond
removal crews.
• Blooming trees can litter on walks and cars.
• Maintenance schedules will be required on plans.
(2) Scalping
Spencer do you want to say anything regarding this?
City of Palm Desert Landscape Design Manual 38
VII. Part Four: Appendix
C. Irrigation
(1) Watering Rules of Thumb
How much and when to water are difficult questions to answer
because of the many variables such as type of plant, age of plant,
climate conditions and soil type. Ideally, you apply only as much
water, as the plant needs. Much of that information is available
through the CIMIS program. However, the wise use of water is a
more complex issue. The wiser use of water in a landscape requires
a well designed, well maintained and accurately scheduled
irrigation system.
The best indicator of when a plant needs water is the plant itself. It
takes time to learn stress signs in any particular landscape. After
some observations, you will learn which plants in your garden act as
indicator plants-the plants that show signs of stress first. If a plant
exhibits any of the symptoms below, this indicates that the plant
needs water right away.
• Slightly wilted or limp leaves
• Palm fronds (leaves) droop or wilt
• Less glossy or reflective foliage
• Slight color shift-darker, grayer or bluer than normal
• Curled leaf edges
• Dry or yellow leaf edges (more advanced state of drought)
• Leaf drop (how some plants deal with severe drought)
• Footprints remain after walking across a lawn
City of Palm Desert Landscape Design Manual 39
VII. Part Four: Appendix
C. Irrigation continued
(1) Watering Rules of Thumb continued
Many people believe that water-efficient or native desert plants
naturally require less water. However, until they are established,
these plants must be treated as any other new planting and
require regular irrigation for at least the first year. After this time,
gradually reduce the amount of water, depending on the specific
plants in your landscape.
It is best to water at night or in the early morning. This gives plants
an opportunity to absorb the water while they are less active. Less
water is lost through evaporation and conditions are calmer.
During hot times of the day, water drops on leaves can act like
magnifying glasses, intensifying the sun's rays and scorching the
leaves.
Minimize watering when it is windy. If water is applied via a spray
irrigation system in windy conditions, water will be blown from the
intended direction. Additionally, winds dry out plants quickly,
increasing the evapotranspiration rate and reducing the efficiency
of watering.
Watering needs of plants vary from season to season. When
temperatures are hot, plants need more water to compensate for
the moisture lost through evapotranspiration. (Refer to CIMIS).
Conversely, during the cool season, you may be able to extend
time periods between watering. It is important, however, to supply
regular water to your plants during the cool season.
City of Palm Desert Landscape Design Manual 40
VII. Part Four: Appendix
C. Irrigation continued
(2) Products/(systems)
A wide variety of irrigation products are available today for
both the homeowner and the professional. In general,
however, two kinds of irrigation systems are used: emitter
irrigation and spray irrigation. In some instances, both types
may be used on a single project. Each type of system has
advantages and proper uses.
A drip emitter system is a low-flow system designed to bring
water to the root zone of each plant. Two basic types of
emitters are commonly used: drip emitters, used for trees
and shrubs, and micro-sprays, used for ground covers and
annual color plants.
A spray system is the "traditional" style of irrigation system,
designed to provide even, uniform coverage of water to a
given area. Uniform coverage is the key to successful spray
irrigation. Spray irrigation is best suited for lawns and may
be used in most landscape applications. Spray irrigation
systems also include bubblers, which are low-flow systems
that trickle water in an umbrella pattern to small planting
areas.
City of Palm Desert Landscape Design Manual 41
VII. Part Four: Appendix
C. Irrigation continued
(2) Products /(systems) continued
When deciding on irrigation systems, select reliable equipment. The
equipment must be able to with- stand the desert environment-
particularly high temperatures. Any parts that are above ground or
open to the sun must be designed to withstand intense solar
radiation. (White PVC pipe degrades in sunlight and should not be
used where it is exposed.) Before you purchase a system, check with
an irrigation consultant in the area. Read available literature, and
check with others who have functioning systems. In addition, the
CVWD can provide you with valuable information, including their
publication “Lush and Efficient”.
If you plan to install an emitter system, the filter and pressure
regulator are the critical pieces of equipment. When a filter
becomes clogged with dirt or debris, water is not applied evenly, or
at all. Self-flushing valves are available to help alleviate the problem
of keeping the filter clean. The pressure regulator can be adjustable
or static and should be between 15 to 30 psi of pressure.
Emitter systems are traditionally installed in one of two ways-either
with spaghetti tubing or hard- line (PVC pipe). Spaghetti tubing is
less desirable and not approved for in the City, because it lies
directly on the soil surface where animals and foot traffic can easily
damage it. If it is buried, the tubing may become damaged by
shovels and other tools used for maintenance. Hard-line PVC pipe is
buried and protected beneath the soil much like a conventional
irrigation system. Quarter inch walled tubing risers are acceptable.
City of Palm Desert Landscape Design Manual 42
VII. Part Four: Appendix
C. Irrigation continued
(2) Products/(Systems) continued
Emitter System at a Glance
Applies water in gallons per hour (GPH) and has low and efficient
water use
Water is applied only to landscape plants resulting in fewer weeds
Lower maintenance than spray due to fewer moving parts
More vandal resistant than spray if hard pvc pipe is used
Does not work for turf
Spray System at a Glance
Applies water in gallons per minute (GPM)
Use for turf areas only
Uses more water than emitters
Higher maintenance than emitters
Often wastes water in plantings that can be watered by emitters
Water Scheduling
Water scheduling allows you to water efficiently by applying proper
amounts of water at a time when evaporation is lowest. Use ET
(evapotranspiration) rates to determine the amount of water your
plants require each week. Then divide the total amount by the number
of days available to water in order to meet that goal.
Some general rules of thumb are:
Water at night or early morning when wind and evaporation are
lowest-avoiding potential plant stress
When possible water when the weather is calm
Adjust your program for temperature variations during the year
Turn off irrigation during rain
Coachella Valley Water District (CVWD) provides a number of
“helps” for creating an effective irrigation schedule.
City of Palm Desert Landscape Design Manual 43
VII. Part Four: Appendix
D. Green waste
• Any organic soil amendments will be locally produced compost
recycled from local green waste.
• All green waste will be recycled to a local compost facility.
City of Palm Desert Landscape Design Manual 44
VII. Part Four: Appendix
E. List of landscape-related city ordinances
The following citations represent places where landscape-related provisions, regulations or
requirements appear in the City of Palm Desert Municipal Code.
Title 2 Administration and Personnel
2.68 Art in Public Places Commission
2.68.020 Membership
Title 3 Revenue and Finance
3.40 Parking and Business Improvement Area
3.40.050 Charges
Title 5 Business Taxes, Licenses and Regulations
5.95 Landscape-related business
5.95.010 Landscape-related business
Title 8 Health and Safety
8.20.020 Unlawful property nuisances
8.70 Property maintenance
8.70.190 Vegetation, landscaping
8.70.330 Water management for existing landscapes
Title 9 Public Peace, Morals and Welfare
9.24 Noise Control
9.24.075 Property maintenance activities
Title 12 Street and Sidewalks
12.32 Tree Pruning Regulations
12.32.040 Standards
City of Palm Desert Landscape Design Manual 45
VII. Part Four: Appendix
D. List of landscape-related city ordinances continued
The following code sections include landscape related requirements that must be met
and should be referenced when submitting plans.
Title 24 Environment and Conservation
24.04 Water-efficient landscape
24.04.010 Purpose and intent
24.04.050 Landscape construction documentation package
24.04.060 Water conservation concept statement
24.04.080 Planting design plan
24.04.090 Irrigation design plan
24.04.100 Irrigation schedules
24.04.110 Maintenance
24.04.120 Landscape irrigation audits
24.04.130 Grading design plan
24.04.140 Soils analysis
24.04.150 Certifications
24.04.160 Public education
24.04.170 Water management for existing landscapes
24.04.190 Fees for initial review and program monitoring
24.04.200 Enforcement and penalties
24.16 Outdoor lighting requirements
24.16.040 Definitions
24.16.060 Light trespass
City of Palm Desert Landscape Design Manual 46
VII. Part Four: Appendix
D. List of landscape-related city ordinances continued
Title 24 Environment and Conservation
24.20 Stormwater Management and Discharge control
24.20.050 Discharge of pollutants
24.30 Energy Efficiency Standards
24.30.030 Mandatory requirements
Title 25 Zoning
25.15.010 Purpose
25.15.060 Architectural and landscape design
25.16.120 Private tennis courts and sports courts
25.23.100 Design criteria
25.24.090 Design review of project
25.28.140 Special standards
25.56.195 Standards for walls and fences for single-family residential l
lots in the R-1, R-2, R-3 and PR zone districts
25.58.100 Landscaping requirements
25.58.120 Tree requirements
25.58.123 Parking lot tree maintenance and installation requirements
25.58.122 Parking lot tree irrigation requirements
25.58.370 Definitions
25.58.130 Landscape and irrigation system plan review
25.68.335 Directional signs for courtyard or plaza businesses
25.72.020 Application—Submittal requirements
25.73.013 Approval or rejection considerations
25.104.010 Purpose and intent
25.120.090 Applications for condominium conversions
City of Palm Desert Landscape Design Manual 47
VIII. Part Five: GLOSSARY
Accent Plants: A plant of special interest that is usually part of a larger planting. Accent plants provide interest throughout the seasons
through specific forms, textures, colors, etc.
Annual Gardens: Gardens that need to be replanted each year because the plants are not cold hardy. Annuals are frequently chosen for
their intense flowering and often become focal points in the landscape.
Balance: Balance is the relationship between elements in the landscape. Balance can be formal or informal. Formal balance would
usually mean that one side of the landscape is a mirror of the other, while informal balance is when plant sizes and numbers are only
relatively similar on both sides.
Base Map: A drawing that incorporates all of the information collected about the landscape and provides the basics to be used in the
landscape design process.
Base Plan: The creation of bubble diagrams, concept plans, draft designs, all of which are eventually used to create a completed
landscape design.
Border Planting: A plant or plant grouping that divides spaces in a landscape or between adjacent properties.
Bubble Diagram: Bubble diagrams consist of a series of circles or rounded shapes drawn on paper to show what the areas in the
landscape will be used for. The areas may represent a turf area, a shrub border, a perennial garden, a dog kennel, etc.
Client or Family Interview: A meeting between the client and the landscape designer where the designer can gather information about
the needs and wants of a client. This information will be considered throughout the design process.
Clients: Anyone who hires an individual or company to provide landscape service or a product, such as a homeowner who hires a
nursery to landscape his/her property.
Commercial Grounds: Commercial grounds usually surround a business, townhouse complex, or an apartment building. Often, there is a
supervisor or committee established by the company to govern decisions about the landscape. Landscape maintenance firms or a
department within the firm maintain the grounds.
Completed Landscape Design: A completed landscape design in plan view (bird's-eye view). This plan has all the information necessary
to install the landscape.
Concept Lines: Visible or invisible lines that define spaces or divide areas in the landscape. Some concept lines become bed lines or
edging lines in the completed landscape.
City of Palm Desert Landscape Design Manual 48
VIII. Part Five: GLOSSARY
Concept Plans: Initial drawing of how the spaces in the landscape will appear. This drawing evolves from the shapes developed in the
bubble diagram.
Corner Plantings: Any planting group that occupies a corner location - typically the corner of a property. Corner plantings blend border
plantings together.
Cost Effectiveness: A satisfactory return from the dollars spent on landscape design, implementation, or maintenance.
Draft Designs: Preliminary designs consisting of key plants, plant and hard-good groupings as well as concept lines and spaces. Draft
designs will become a completed landscape plan as specific plants and hard-goods are selected for each location.
Easements: An interest in land owned by another that entitles its holder to a specific limited use or enjoyment.
Elements of Design: Criteria used in selecting and organizing plant materials and hard-goods and organizing them into the landscape.
The designer must consider both primary and secondary elements of design.
Emphasis: Major landscape components are highlighted more than less important ones. Framing, plant numbers, or creating an unusual
focal point are examples of creating emphasis in the landscape.
Entry Garden: Landscape area near the entry to a building which calls attention to the entry area and to certain plants.
Environmentally Sound: A landscape that does not harm the environment, soil, water, and air. An environmentally sound landscape is
less dependent on pesticides, fertilizers, and water to maintain the desired appearance.
Form: The outline a plant creates as well as the 3-D features it produces, columnar, round, vase, weeping, oval, etc. Form should be
considered early in the design process.
Foundation Plantings: Plantings located in beds surrounding the base of a structure. Foundation plantings can be made continuously or
in segments. They provide transitions adjacent to patio and entry gardens. They frequently contain several key plants.
Freestanding or Group Plantings: Plantings that are apart from a structure or other plantings. Sometimes called an island planting
depending upon location.
Functional: Any part of the landscape with a specific purpose for its location other than just aesthetics. Functionality is associated with
uses of the landscape.
City of Palm Desert Landscape Design Manual 49
VII. Part Five: GLOSSARY
Hard-Goods: All of the construction materials used to create structure in the landscape. Examples include boulders, pavers, landscape
timbers, and fencing. Hard-goods also include drain tile, irrigation, and other things not always visible in the landscape.
Hardscaping: Features in the landscape other than plant materials. Examples include walks, fences, and retaining walls.
Height and Width: Height and width are the estimated mature sizes a plant will reach, both in upright and outward direction. These two
elements are very important in plant selection and plant location. If plants are selected without considering height and width, they are
often improperly spaced which can cause problems in the future of the landscape.
Imaginary Lines: Lines that define spaces within a landscape but are not necessarily separated by specific plantings or bed lines.
Implementation: The process of installing plant materials and hard-goods into the landscape. Landscape implementation is carried out
according to the completed landscape design.
Key Plants: Landscape plant or plants placed in a highly visible location. Key plants are frequently used individually or in groups of three.
They are often associated with the screening, or softening of architectural features such as building corners, steps, fences, etc.
Landscape: Area where plants, turf, decks, walks, etc., have been used to create an outdoor living area that makes the area functional
and visually pleasing.
Landscape Architect: A licensed professional who plans and designs landscapes. In some states this designation can only be used by
certified professionals. Landscape architects are usually schooled in engineering and architecture and typically work on projects larger
than residential properties.
Landscape Designer: A professional who plans and develops landscapes, usually at a residential or small commercial level. Landscape
designers are usually skilled in the use of plant materials and other horticultural aspects of landscape design.
Landscape Design Process: The creation of bubble diagrams, concept plans, and draft designs, all of which are eventually used to create
a completed landscape design.
City of Palm Desert Landscape Design Manual 50
VIII. Part Five: GLOSSARY
Landscape Design Program: Compiling all of the information found through the site survey, site analysis, and the interview, and using it
in the development of the landscape design.
Landscape Design Sequence: Collection of information needed to create a sustainable landscape design including the base map, the site
survey, the site analysis, and the client or family interview. Information from these are used to create the completed landscape design.
Maintainability: Process of making every individual segment of a landscape as easy to care for as possible. A maintainable landscape
requires less labor, fewer supplies, and is less expensive to care for.
Mass Plantings: Plantings where many plants of the same species are used to fill an area. Mass plantings are used as connections
between other planting groups or as groundcovers.
Micro-Manage: Developing and maintaining a landscape without considering the effects one decision has upon another. This type of
management will affect the long term sustainability of the landscape and usually costs more.
Module: Information piece that addresses a particular topic in detail. Modules can stand alone as a publication or be grouped together
to form a unit.
Needs Assessment: Analysis conducted by the designer in initial stages of design to determine client's landscaping needs and interests.
Patio Garden: Garden surrounding a patio or deck used to create a more comfortable outdoor living space. Patio gardens screen, soften
the architectural features of the deck, frame views, and can provide shade and protection from the wind.
Perennial Gardens: Herbaceous plantings that can tolerate the cold and will come back each spring. Perennial gardens provide seasonal
interest for a longer period of time than annual gardens and can serve as focal points in the landscape.
Photographic View: The way in which we see a landscape or an area if we are standing and looking at it at ground level. Photographic
view drawings on a plan help the client visualize how the installed landscape will appear.
Plant Groupings: Plant groupings provide a representation of the types of plants that will occupy an area once the landscape design is
completed. A plant grouping might show a shrub border between properties, or it may represent a perennial bed location.
Plan View or Plan View Drawings: Bird's eye view of the area being designed. The completed landscape design is done in plan view.
City of Palm Desert Landscape Design Manual 51
VII. Part Five: GLOSSARY
Primary Elements of Design: Primary elements of design are the first elements looked at when determining plant materials. Primary
elements of design include disease or insect resistance, poor soils and urban pollution, tolerance, etc.
Principles of Design: Process that defines and ties all individual components together to create unity within a design. Example of
principles of design would be simplicity, variety, balance, emphasis, sequence, and scale.
Professional Landscape Designer: A professional who plans and develops landscapes, usually at a residential or small commercial level.
Landscape designers are usually skilled in the use of plant materials and other horticultural aspects of landscape design.
Public Grounds: Public grounds include public property owned by a city, state, or the federal government. Examples include parks,
schools, and any other public recreational areas. Maintenance is usually performed by personnel hired by the city, county, or state.
Residential Grounds: A family-owned house would be the best example of residential grounds. These grounds are most often
maintained by the owner of the property.
Scale: Scale is the relative size of one part of a landscape to another. Scale may be the proportion or ratio of size to other components in
the landscape.
Screen Plantings: Plantings used to screen an area to provide privacy, block a poor view, or as a natural boundary or barrier.
Seasonal Interest or Color: Seasonal interest and color are created by the colors that we see when we look at a plant. Color is the
element that is often first noticed about a plant. Color is often used in a landscape to provide interest throughout the entire growing
season. This is often referred to as seasonal interest. Seasonal interest is simply the time of the year that a plant provides a special
characteristic such as flowers, fall color, fruits, etc.
Secondary Elements of Design: Secondary elements are used when narrowing down the types of plants used. Secondary elements of
design include environmental tolerance (wind, pollution, cold), disease and insect resistance, soil types tolerated, etc.
Sequence: A gradual transition from one area to another within a landscape. A landscape with sequence has one element changing at a
time rather than several changes at once. A landscape with a coarse textured plant next to a fine textured plant is an example of bad
sequence.
Simplicity: Understanding what is, and is not important in a landscape design. Details that will not have a major impact to the landscape
are omitted to keep it uncluttered.
Site Analysis: Compiling the information found during the site survey and the family or client interview to be used in the development of
the landscape plan.
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VIII. Part-Five: GLOSSARY
Site Plan: A drawing that incorporates all of the information collected about the landscape and provides the basics used in the landscape
design process.
Site Survey: Collecting the information that will aid the designer in the development of the completed landscape design. Examples
include soil type, drainage, structures, existing plants, and good and bad views.
Spaces: Area in the landscape created to serve a specific purpose. Spaces may be functional, e.g., a storage area, or a recreation area or
created to make the landscape maintainable or visually pleasing.
Specimen Plants: Specimen plants can be part of a larger planting, but usually stand alone in the landscape. Specimen plants provide
specific seasonal interests or color through flowers, fruit, or leaves.
Sub-module: A sub-module is a piece of information, example, or illustration used to explain a particular area within a module. Sub-
modules complement the modules by expanding their content, defining information, or making them easier to understand.
Sustainable Landscape: A landscape designed, installed, and maintained in a residential, commercial, or public setting that is functional,
maintainable, environmentally sound, cost effective, and visually pleasing throughout the entire life of that landscape.
Texture: Coarseness or fineness of the plant. Texture should be one of the first design considerations when placing plants in a landscape.
Texture in plants can be created by leaves, branches, bark, or other plant parts. It can also be created by rough or smooth looking
surfaces, thin or thick leaf set, or by darkness or lightness.
Trees: A woody plant that usually has one main stem and reaches a height of at least 12 ft. Trees are very important for screening,
framing, and shade, and are considered early in the landscape design program. Trees are usually placed before other plant material
because of their major impact on understory shrubs chosen for the landscape.
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VIII. Part Five: GLOSSARY
Unit: For the purposes of the Sustainable Landscape Information Series, a unit is a group of publications that concentrates on one topic
area. There will be four units in the SULIS which are: Sustainable Landscape Design, Sustainable Landscape Implementation, Sustainable
Plant Materials Selection, and Sustainable Landscape Maintenance. Each unit will build on the information presented in other units.
Unity: How well the entire design comes together to form one landscape. All aspects of the landscape should complement one another
rather than compete for attention.
Variety: Mixing up the form, texture and color combinations in a landscape to create extra interest without sacrificing the simplicity of
the design.
Visualization Exercise: Designer pictures in his/her mind what an area will look like before the landscape design process begins.
Visually Pleasing: A landscape having an overall desirable appearance. A beautiful landscape would also be considered a visually
pleasing landscape.
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IX. References and Links
City of Palm Desert Municipal Code
City of Palm Desert Flora
City of Palm Desert Maintenance
http://myvisionscape.com/resources/Glossary_of_Landscape_Terms
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