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city of palm desert landscape design manual
city of palm desert landscape design manual
Table of Contents
city of palm desert landscape design manual Table of Contents page 1
I. Introduction ............................................................ Page 2
II. Purpose ................................................................... Page 2
III. Organization ............................................................ Page 2
IV. Part One:
Desert Landscape Design Principles ....................... Page 3
A. Design Criteria ............................................. Page 3‐17
(1) Texture
(2) Movement
(3) Color
(4) Placement
(5) Inorganics
B. Plant Materials ........................................... Page 18‐21
(1) Trees
(2) Shrubs
(3) Groundcovers
V. Part Two: Design Process ..................................... Page 22
A. Site analysis ..................................................... Page 22
(1) Topography
(2) Light / shadow
(3) Wind
(4) Subterranean infrastructure (existing and
proposed)
B. Water Calculations ..................................... Page 23‐24
(1) Water conservation in design
(2) Irrigation design
VI. Part Three: City Approval Process .............................Page 25
A. Landscape plans that require City approval .........Page 25
B. Types of landscape review ...................................Page 25
C. Submittal requirements ........................................Page 26
D. City Approval Process Flow Chart .........................Page 27
VII. Part Four: Appendix ...................................................Page 28
A. Palm Desert Environment ............................... Page 28‐34
(1) Temperature
(2) Soils
(3) Precipitation
(4) Wind
(5) Water
B. Installation ............................................................Page 35
C. Maintenance .........................................................Page 35
(1) Pruning
(2) Scalping
D. Irrigation ......................................................... Page 36‐37
E. Green waste ..........................................................Page 38
F. List of City landscape‐related ordinances ....... Page 39‐41
VIII. Part Five: Glossary ................................................ Page 42‐45
IX. References and Links ..................................................Page 46
city of palm desert landscape design manual introduction page 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. Progressive environmental programs, many of which are the first of their kind 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, as well as
its, energy conservation and recycling efforts. Promoting and following the principles offered in this Landscape Design Manual will make lasting
aesthetic and sustainable contributions 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 design of a successful landscape plan that will be
sustainable, have a high aesthetic value, 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.
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.
Good design employs: a variety of textures; three‐dimensional movement;
color; naturalistic placement of plant material; and a variety of inorganic
materials, including cobble and boulders.
city of palm desert landscape design manual page 3
IV. Part One: DESERT LANDSCAPE DESIGN PRINCIPLES
A. Design Criteria (continued)
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 native to the desert or
be climate adapted. The City’s Desert Flora Palette booklet and
other regional plant material lists are excellent sources for plant
and tree opyions.
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, including utilities, streets, sidewalks, and other
infrascructure).
This residential landscape design exhibits a variety of plants and inorganic
materials arranged to provide color, shade, and interest in a front yard.
city of palm desert landscape design manual page 4
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 balanced 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. As the
quantity of light changes throughout the day, textures can be
perceived differently. 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 used to create a sense of expanse in a small garden
and making the space appear larger.
The course textures of these agave and the adjacent cobble can be
appreciated by quickly passing motorists.
city of palm desert landscape design manual page 5
IV. Part One: DESERT LANDSCAPE DESIGN PRINCIPLES
A. Design Criteria (continued)
(1) Texture continued
The predominance of coarse‐textured plants makes a garden space
appear smaller. Strong textural contrasts add drama and interest to
a garden. Structural plants such as cactus, yucca, agave, and ocotillo
interspersed with fine‐foliage plants and inorganic materials are
ways of adding textural interest to any space.
How to achieve an acceptable level of texture in landscape design:
• Combine plants of differing leaf sizes.
• Utilize plants with differing structural patterns.
• Place coarse plants only in larger landscapes where they can be
appreciated from a distance.
• Vary leaf size, growth pattern, seasonal color, etc., and utilize
unplanted ground space to accentuate plant selection.
The fine texture of the plant material contrasts well with the bold shapes of
the paving stones, boulders, and architecture of this home.
Using a variety of textures in plants and
inorganic materials creates an appealing
streetscape.
city of palm desert landscape design manual page 6
IV. Part One: DESERT LANDSCAPE DESIGN PRINCIPLES
A. Design Criteria (continued)
(2) Movement
Movement is measured by the sequence and hierarchy of plant
material and 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, sculpture, fountain, or other marker.
Plant material focal points are listed as “Accents” in the City’s
booklet Desert Flora Palette.
The landscaping here leads the eye to the dramatic architecture of the
Henderson Community Building, creating a sense of movement.
city of palm desert landscape design manual page 7
IV. Part One: DESERT LANDSCAPE DESIGN PRINCIPLES
A. Design Criteria (continued)
(2) 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.
The strong vertical forms of the Ocotillo and Cereus create a
sense of rhythm in this landscape display.
city of palm desert landscape design manual page 8
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 offer species
with a rich color range that complements the hues found in the
natural desert environment. The City’s Desert Flora Palette booklet
and other regional plant lists can help serve as a guide.
Natural desert color palette:
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 typically bloom in red, orange, and yellow. Pink and purple
blooms are not as common. Environmentally, the choices for color
are most suitable when they are capable of withstanding the
climate. Therefore, emulating desert vegetation is the best choice
rather than choosing “annual” color from a different, more
moderate climate zone.
Dynamic/seasonal:
Design that is consistent 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, whereas 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.
Vivid color and varying textures create a lively pocket of landscaping.
city of palm desert landscape design manual page 9
IV. Part One: DESERT LANDSCAPE DESIGN PRINCIPLES
A. Design Criteria (continued)
(3) Color continued
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
• Color is critical; use it purposefully.
• 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 sequential blooming periods throughout
the year.
• Alternate strong and subtle colors.
• Avoid monochromatic palettes unless they are part of a larger
design scheme.
Colorful plant material adds visual interest to this median landscaping.
city of palm desert landscape design manual page 10
IV. Part One: DESERT LANDSCAPE DESIGN PRINCIPLES
A. Design Criteria (continued)
(4) Placement
Placement of plants and inorganic materials defines the landscape
design character. Placement can be used to create designs that are
formal or informal; symmetrical, asymmetrical, or organic; artificial and
contrived or flowing and natural. Elements of placement include plant
spacing, massing, and symmetry.
Landscape designs that are informal, natural, and organic in form are
encouraged. Designs that are formal or highly structured will be
considered on a case‐by‐case basis, and may be approved where
building architecture or site design warrants this approach.
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.
Consider the natural, organic form of plant placement above,
compared with the contrived and deliberate patterning shown below.
city of palm desert landscape design manual page 11
IV. Part One: DESERT LANDSCAPE DESIGN PRINCIPLES
A. Design Criteria (continued)
(4) Placement continued
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.
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.
The desert’s natural growth pattern is celebrated in the landscape design
depicted here. Note the expanse of open space punctuated with loose
clusters of a variety of species of drought‐tolerant plants.
city of palm desert landscape design manual page 12
IV. Part One: DESERT LANDSCAPE DESIGN PRINCIPLES
A. Design Criteria (continued)
(4) Placement continued
When mass planting is acceptable:
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 a large portion of
the total landscaped area.
How to achieve an acceptable level of placement:
• Design with random patterns that employ a balanced use of
unplanted areas and areas utilizing boulders, living groundcovers,
shrubs, and trees.
• When spacing, consider the use of public art, monument signs,
meandering walks, or other unnatural materials.
• Design to create easily maintained clusters, and consider plants’
mature sizes.
• Preserve areas of negative or unplanted space throughout the
design area.
• Locate plant material an adequate distance from sidewalks and
structures so that it can grow unrestrained to its full size.
• Use unstructured and irregular placement in lieu of creating
artificial or contrived patterns with plants and inorganic materials.
Consideration has been given here to mature plant sizes. These shrubs will
not encroach on the sidewalk and can be easily maintained throughout the
life of the plant material.
city of palm desert landscape design manual page 13
IV. Part One: DESERT LANDSCAPE DESIGN PRINCIPLES
A. Design Criteria (continued)
(5) Inorganics
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.
Inorganic materials, including cobble, boulders, and pea gravel, are
used here to create a dry streambed that is actually a drainage swale.
city of palm desert landscape design manual page 14
IV. Part One: DESERT LANDSCAPE DESIGN PRINCIPLES
A. Design Criteria (continued)
(5) Inorganics continued
Natural vs. Artificial Placement
The native desert‐scape inherently involves fewer plants and large
areas of open unplanted space. These elements have a random
natural placement that is neither symmetrical nor predictable.
Natural placement is the consequence of natural systems and forces
such as gravity, erosion, and water.
Artificial design follows a deliberate symmetry, a pattern imposed
by human aesthetics. This type of design contradicts the native
desertscape and imposes an artificial order on the landscape.
The natural placement of well‐chosen inorganic material helps to create a
landscape design that serves as a visual oasis.
city of palm desert landscape design manual page 15
IV. Part One: DESERT LANDSCAPE DESIGN PRINCIPLES
A. Design Criteria (continued)
(5) Inorganics
Color enhancement and harmony
The purpose of utilizing cobble and decomposed granite as a
decorative element is to stabilize sandy soils and to assist surface
water to drain rather than evaporate from the soil's surface. Shape
and color choices 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. These darker colors can provide
bright contrast with succulents. Such colors 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.
T
he colors of cobble and boulders harmonize in this median, and are
consistent with the color of native soils in the area.
city of palm desert landscape design manual page 16
IV. Part One: DESERT LANDSCAPE DESIGN PRINCIPLES
A. Design Criteria (continued)
city of palm desert landscape design manual page 17
(5) Inorganics continued
How to achieve acceptable levels of inorganic materials
• A variety of rock sizes, from fine decomposed granite to cobble
and large boulders, adds interest to open unplanted areas
without consuming any water.
• Utilize decomposed granite (DG) to add a variety of colors, and
textures 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.
• Bury the bottom third of boulders below grade so that they
appear to have been pushed up from the desert floor, rather than
perched on top of it.
• Plant material should be planted next to – but not in ‐‐ cobble
areas to decrease maintenance costs.
This design uses decomposed granite and a variety of rock sizes. The larger
boulders are partially "sunken" into the soil, which creates the look of a
landscape that has evolved over time, rather than one that was artificially
imposed.
IV. Part One: DESERT LANDSCAPE DESIGN PRINCIPLES
B. Plant Materials
city of palm desert landscape design manual page 18
Plant material used in landscape design is limited only by the creativity
of a designer. The City does not prescribe a fixed plant palate; instead
selected plant material is reviewed for appropriateness in its proposed
location.
The City will evaluate the appropriateness of plants for use in a design
by considering sustainability and location.
Sustainability: Sustainability refers to how the plant material can and
will be maintained over the course of its life. Plant species selection will
be judged based upon plants’ characteristics including:
• The Pruning needed for sustained, healthy growth
• Susceptibility to pest problems
• Invasive root development
• Weak limb and stem attachment
• Invasive growth and reseeding
Proper design allows adequate space for mature shrub development and
root expansion. There is also space around each shrub to allow access for
seasonal pruning.
IV. Part One: DESERT LANDSCAPE DESIGN PRINCIPLES
B. Plant Materials (continued)
city of palm desert landscape design manual page 19
Location: Locating plants for optimal health and minimal
maintenance is essential to good design. Plant location should be
selected while giving consideration to other components or
conditions on site. The right location will encourage development
of root systems and canopies that will be visually appealing and
protect both the plant and its surroundings for years to come. In
other words, allow enough growing space for the plant material to
grow to mature size below, at, and above ground level. Specifically,
plant location should be responsive to these site components and
conditions:
• Below Grade – Utilities, footings for buildings, walls and
fences, sidewalks, patios, and drainage structures, such as
piping and dry wells.
• At Grade – Soil conditions (compaction), topography,
drainage ways, catch basins. And hardscape features such
as decorative paving.
• Above Grade – Overhead utilities, building canopies and
awnings, structural features, and shade.
Above: Trees should be located where they have room for the full
canopy to develop without conflicting with utilities, as shown here,
or with buildings or other plant material.
Left: Good design accounts for potential conflicts: below ground
with the roots of this shoestring Acacia; with the shrubs at ground
level; and with the building’s decorative canopies above ground.
IV. Part One: DESERT LANDSCAPE DESIGN PRINCIPLES
B. Plant
(1) Trees
Materials (continued)
city of palm desert landscape design manual page 20
Trees are highly regarded for their environmental and aesthetic
value. Adequate site space must be available for mature tree
canopy and root development. When locating trees in a landscape
design, be aware of potential conflicts with buildings, overhangs,
proximity to walls, and planter size. The minimum planter size is 6
feet by 8 feet, or 48 square feet, of exposed soil surface. Long,
rectangular planters with a 5 foot width maybe considered,
depending on the species of tree. Care should be taken as to the
amount and character of plant material placed under trees. Placing
trees that shed large quantities of leaves and flowers, or that have
insect problems resulting in honey dew production, next to walks
and cars is not recommended. Palms placed in groups must leave
room for mature frond development and for maintenance activities.
The recommend minimum tree container size for planting is a 24
inch box. In some situations, a 15‐gallon container may be
approved.
(2) Shrubs
Shrubs are used in the landscape as screens, an understory and
foundational planting, as edge materials, and for color appeal. To
work effectively, they must have adequate site space for mature
canopy and root development. Most shrubs require some form of
pruning, which requires that space be preserved around them for
access.
Proper sizing of planters and careful selection of plant material that goes
beneath a tree will enhance the long‐term health and beauty of the landscape
design.
IV. Part One: DESERT LANDSCAPE DESIGN PRINCIPLES
B. Plant Materials (continued)
city of palm desert landscape design manual page 21
The use of a variety of types of groundcover prevents soil erosion
and blowing sand, while providing color and interest to a long
embankment.
.
The use of turf in the City is based on function, not aesthetics. Play
areas, sports and athletic fields, and parks are examples of
functional uses of turf. If turf areas are used in a design they must
be set back 24 inches from hardscape areas to minimize nuisance
water runoff.
City of Palm Desert defines groundcover as prostrate (horizontal)
plant material, excluding turf grass species. Groundcovers are
valued for their ability to provide color and greening, mitigate soil
erosion, improve water infiltration, and provide refuge for other
species, thereby promoting biodiversity. As with shrubs,
groundcover should be spaced to provide adequate room for
growth without crowding.
(3) Groundcover
(4) Turf
V. Part Two: DESIGN PROCESS
city of palm desert landscape design manual page 22
A. Site analysis
(1) Topography
Project site topography is the first item to analyze in planting
design. Slopes, natural swales and hillsides must be considered for
successful plant development and even irrigation. The flatness of a
site should be regarded a design feature that might present
challenges.
(2) Light/Shadow
A site’s orientation of a site with respect to the sun and the amount
of light that plantings 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
due to the site’s orientation.
(3) Wind
A site’s exposure to high winds should influence design elements
such as screens and windbreaks. Delicate plant material is
discouraged if area winds are too strong to allow plants to flourish.
(See additional information in the Appendix.)
(4) Infrastructure
The project site infrastructure must be shown in the plans.
Allowances for existing and proposed underground and above
ground features will determine what can be planted.
This landscape design employs a low retaining wall and boulders to
accommodate the natural topography, and creates visual interest with the
play of sunlight and shadows.
V. Part Two: DESIGN PROCESS
city of palm desert landscape design manual page 23
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 design criteria. The type and
number of plants chosen will determine if the design will meet the
ordinance's water conservation criteria. Therefore, any design must
be built around plant water use. If turf is desired, then low and very
low water use shrubs and trees should be used to meet the required
water use criteria. Conversely, if the design employs moderate and
high water use shrubs, then turf use may be limited or excluded
from the design. See Chapter 24.04 of the City’s Municipal Code for
additional information.
Water calculation worksheets will assist a designer in determining
hydrozones, estimating maximum allowable water, and estimating water
use for a landscape design. They will also be used by the Coachella Valley
Water District to verify compliance with governing regulations.
V. Part Two: DESIGN PROCESS
city of palm desert landscape design manual page 24
During construction, flags are used to locate future plant material (above)
so that it is coordinated with the drip irrigation system to minimize water
waste. A programmable controller (below) adjusts the amount of water
used according to outdoor temperature and seasonal needs.
All irrigation designs will be reviewed by City and Coachella Valley
Water District staff for compliance with the City’s and District’s
Water Efficient Landscape ordinances. All designs must account for
the water use characteristics of plant material. All turf, shrubs and
trees with similar water use characteristics are required to be
grouped together in hydrozones and be valved together.
All plant material should be irrigated by a drip system, except large
turf areas. Irrigation controllers should be able to automatically
adjust the irrigation schedule according to weather changes
(“smart” capability). Soil moisture sensors can be used to meet the
“smart” capability requirement.
B. Water calculations continued
(2) Irrigation Design
VI. Part Three: CITY APPROVAL PROCESS
city of palm desert landscape design manual page 25
A. Landscape plans that require City approval
• New and retrofitted commercial and industrial projects
• Multi‐family projects
• Common areas and model home yards of planned residential
developments.
• Individual private residences with landscape areas greater than
5,000 square feet.
B. Types of Landscape Review
There are two types of review that the City applies to landscape
design projects, ministerial and discretionary.
“Ministerial” review does not require a public hearing, and is
administered internally by City staff through a plan check process.
It is frequently accomplished “over the counter” while the applicant
is present..
“Discretionary” landscape review is for larger projects and requires
a public hearing. A flow chart illustrating the typical sequence of
steps is included in the following pages of this section.
Both review processes require approximately the same level of
information. Submitted plans that are legible and that supply the
required information will ensure an easier approval under both
types of review. Submittal requirements are listed on the following
page.
When approved, the landscape plan for a project requiring discretionary
approval will have the stamps of the City’s Landscape Manager, the
Coachella Valley Water District, and the Agricultural Commissioner.
Special thanks to Chuck Shepardson at HSA Design Group for the use of this
plan, both here and on the cover of this manual.
VI Part Three: CITY APPROVAL PROCESS
city of palm desert landscape design manual page 26
C. Required Submittals for Both Discretionary and Ministerial
Review
A preliminary landscape plan is typically submitted first. Once
approved, a complete Landscape Documentation Package
complying with the City’s Water Efficient Landscape Ordinance
(Chapter 24.04) is submitted. One set of preliminary landscape
plans must be submitted to the Public Works Department
concurrently with grading plans. Preliminary landscape plans must
include, at a minimum, the following:
(1) Cover sheet
(A) Vicinity map
Sheet location map or sheet “key” if several sheets or phases
are involved
Scale
(B) Project Data
Square foot area of project
Zone
(C) Title Block
Project name and number
Date of plan issue and/or submittal date
Address of the project
North arrow
Name of the landscape architect designer
(2) Design Sheets
(A) Site Plan
Same title block information as cover sheet
Scope of work (existing vs. proposed)
Building footprints
Walls, fences, retaining walls, monument signs, etc.
Hardscape, pedestrian and vehicular paths
(B) Planting Plan
Same title block information as cover sheet
Plant specifications
Size containers
Quantity
Species: botanical and common name
Availability
Symbol legend
Square footage each of: turf, shrubs, and total
landscape area (distinguish between off‐site and
on‐site)
(C) Irrigation Plan
Sleeving under hardscape
(D) Grading Plan
VI. Part Three: CITY APPROVAL PROCESS
city of palm desert landscape design manual page 27
D. City Approval Process Flow Chart
The flow chart below outlines the steps by which a landscape design is submitted, reviewed, and approved by the City of Palm Desert in
instances wherein the City has the authority for discretionary review. In situations where the review is ministerial (for single family homes, for
instance), the review process is greatly simplified and can often be accomplished over the counter.
Applicant activities are in
GREEN
City activities are in
BLUE LEGEND:
VII. Part Four: APPENDIX
A. Palm Desert Environment
city of palm desert landscape design manual page 28
(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 more than 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 is located at elevations
that extend from 224 feet above sea level 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 are
typically fast draining and have 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 native soils contain very little organic matter.
This sandy soil is typical of the area. It is fast draining
and has very little organic matter
VII. Part Four: APPENDIX
A Palm Desert Environment (continued)
city of palm desert landscape design manual page 29
(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. Rather
than attempting to use this summer rainfall 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 new
plantings. However, in some years sufficient autumn
rainfall triggers brilliant displays of spring wildflowers,
found in the Cabazon Pass and throughout the Coachella
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.
VII. Part Four: APPENDIX
(4) Wind
Winds are most prevalent in Palm Desert during late
winter and spring. They typically come through the San
Gorgonio Pass and 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 threaten a
landscape’s survival. Winds do more than draw moisture
from plants. Once they reach a velocity of 25 to 30 miles
per hour, dust and sand begin to move. At 30 to 40 miles
per hour, a dust storm may develop. It is not uncommon
for winds to top 60 miles per hour, which can cause severe
damage.
Windbreaks can be placed strategically in the landscape to
buffer the effects of wind, 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.
Care must be taken in the selection of plant material for a
windbreak. Selected plant species must be able to
withstand the effects of wind and provide the desired
protection, but should not have an invasive growth habit.
city of palm desert landscape design manual page 30
VII. Part Four: APPENDIX
(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.
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, 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 page 31
VII. Part Four: APPENDIX
(5) Water (continued)
The Desert Water Agency (DWA), the water district that
serves the western portion of the Coachella Valley, and the
Coachella Valley Water District (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.
These ponds 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.
The average five member household in the Coachella Valley
uses one 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 ‐ 80 percent is used to irrigate lawns and landscape
plants.
city of palm desert landscape design manual page 32
VII. Part Four: APPENDIX
(5) Water (continued)
The CVWD estimates that by adopting a water‐efficient
landscape, the average family could cut their water use (and
water bill) in half. A tiered water rate pricing system has been
put into place to encourage property owners to conserve this
precious resource.
As previously mentioned, the Coachella Valley gets most of its
water from an aquifer, the remnant of a prehistoric lake that
receded underground 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.
Currently all the waste water produced in the Coachella
Valley is recycled. However, the population of the Coachella
Valley does not supply enough wastewater to be recycled to
meet the irrigation needs of the region’s many golf courses.
The addition of a water line (Mid‐Valley pipe line) connecting
Colorado River water from the American Canal with the
CVWD reclamation plant in Palm Desert will allow these two
sources to mix, providing better quality water that will serve
more golf courses. This line will also decrease dependence on
the aquifer and slow its depletion.
city of palm desert landscape design manual page 33
VII. Part Four: APPENDIX
city of palm desert landscape design manual page 34
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 in California. Evapotranspiration is
the water lost through evaporation from the soil and
transportation from plant tissues.
The ET rate is the amount of moisture a plant needs to
survive. By knowing the ET rate, you can supply plants
with the precise amount of water they require, avoiding
wasteful overwatering. The Coachella Valley has
multiple reporting stations to help ensure accuracy. The
system is available to everyone via the Internet at
For more information on current weather, call CVWD’s
weather report at (760) 398‐7211.
California Irrigation Management Information System
(C.I.M.I.S.)
wwwcimis.water.ca.gov/cimis/welcome.
(5) Water (continued)
VII. Part Four: APPENDIX
city of palm desert landscape design manual page 35
B. Installation
The City and CVWD have specific criteria for plant installation. Both
sets of criteria can be found on each agencies website as follows;
www.cityofpalmdesert.org and www.cvwd.org.
C. Maintenance
The success of a landscape, whether measured by its beauty, longevity,
or sustainability is a result of appropriate and efficient maintenance. A
well maintained landscape is achieved through sound horticultural
practices. Unfortunately, there are a large number of maintenance
activities employed by professionals and homeowners that actually
harm the health and beauty of a landscape design. To this end, the City
has produced its Desert Flora Maintenance guide publication. This
publication provides information on proper maintenance techniques
for desert shrubs and trees, as well as related procedures to maintain
the health and beauty of a desert style landscape.
In the Coachella Valley, it is common practice to over seed Bermuda
grass turf with rye grass during fall months. This process has a
significant negative impact on the air quality during over seeding
season. To mitigate this impact, the City requires the use of the Smart
Scalping process as developed by the Coachella Valley Association of
Governments. This process is described in “Promoting Healthier Grass
Re‐seeding, Options for the Coachella Valley,” which is available on‐line
at www.cvag.org.
Proper pruning techniques are key to the health of
your trees and shrubs.
VII. Part Four: APPENDIX
D. Irrigation
A wide variety of irrigation products are available today. In general,
two kinds of irrigation systems are used: drip irrigation and spray
irrigation. In some instances, both types may be used on a single
project. However, spray systems are only approved for turf. Each
type of system has advantages and proper uses.
The Coachella Water District offers excellent and valuable
information on the design, installation, maintenance, and
scheduling of irrigation systems. This information can be found in
its publication “Lush and Efficient,” which is available on‐line at
www.cvwd.org under the Conservation & Education and
Conservation tabs.
Drip irrigation minimizes water use by focusing
delivery of the water to the exact point where it is
needed by the plants.
city of palm desert landscape design manual page 36
VII. Part Four: APPENDIX
D. Irrigation continued
If you plan to install an emitter system, the filter and pressure
regulator are critical pieces of equipment. When a filter becomes
clogged with dirt or debris, water is not applied evenly, or
sometimes at all. Self‐flushing valves are available to help alleviate
this problem. The pressure regulator can be adjustable or static and
should be between 15 to 30 psi of pressure.
city of palm desert landscape design manual page 37
Of the many types of emitter systems available, multiport outlet
devices using “spaghetti” tubing are less desirable and not approved
in the City, because the equipment rests directly on the soil surface
where animals, maintenance activities, and foot traffic can easily
damage or move it.
Rigid PVC pipe is preferred, but in some applications, consideration
will be given to buried, flexible polyethelyne pipe. Only schedule 80
and ¼” polyflex risers are acceptable
VII. Part Four: APPENDIX
city of palm desert landscape design manual page 38
…is turned into high quality mulch to be used at another
location.
Green waste that is delivered to the compost facility here….
Soil amendments improve soil and plant health and conserve
water. Organic mulch also improves soil and plant health,
conserves water, and cools summer soil temperatures. Any soil
amendments and organic mulch used in landscape installation and
maintenance must come from locally recycled green waste.
Green waste is the byproduct of the plant pruning process. In
years past, green waste was regularly disposed of in landfills. This
created significant and adverse environmental issues and now
California law requires that green waste be diverted from landfills
and composted for use as a soil amendment.
Composting is the process of recycling green waste into beneficial
organic soil amendments and mulch using natural decomposition.
It can be done on a small scale by individual home owners, or at a
large composting facility. The Riverside County Master Gardner
program provides training and information on backyard
composting.
E. Green waste / Soil Amendments
VII. Part Four: APPENDIX
city of palm desert landscape design manual 39
F. List of City Landscape‐Related 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
The following code sections include landscape related requirements that must be met
and should be referenced when submitting plans.
VII. Part Four: APPENDIX
city of palm desert landscape design manual page 40
F. List of City Landscape‐Related Ordinances (continued)
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
24.20 Stormwater Management and Discharge control
24.20.050 Discharge of pollutants
24.30 Energy Efficiency Standards
24.30.030 Mandatory requirements
VII. Part Four: APPENDIX
city of palm desert landscape design manual page 41
F. List of City Landscape‐Related Ordinances(continued)
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
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
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.
Aesthetics: The visual quality or attractiveness of a landscape design.
Annual Gardens: Gardens that need to be replanted each year because the plants do not thrive through all seasons. Annuals are
frequently chosen for their intense flowering and often become focal points in the landscape.
Balance: Balance refers to the relationship between elements in the landscape. Balance can be formal or informal. Formal balance is
usually created by landscape designs with one side a mirror image of the other. Informal balance occurs 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.
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 can represent a turf area, a shrub border, a perennial garden, a dog kennel, etc.
Common Grounds: Common grounds usually surround a business, condominium complex, or apartment building. Often, there is a
supervisor or homeowner association committee established to govern decisions about the landscape. Landscape maintenance firms or
a department within the firm maintain the grounds.
Completed Landscape Design Plan: A completed landscape design in plan view (bird's‐eye view). This plan has all the information
necessary to install the landscape.
Conceptual Plans: Initial drawings of how the spaces in the landscape will appear. Conceptual designs lack details, water use
calculations, and specifications.
Draft Design: Preliminary designs consisting of key plants as well as groupings of plants and inorganic materials (boulders, cobble, etc.)
shown with a proposed plant palate.
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 plant materials and inorganic materials and organizing them into the landscape. The
designer must consider both primary and secondary designs elements.
Elevations: The way in which we see a landscape or an area if we are standing and looking at it from ground level. Elevations on a plan
help the client visualize how the installed landscape will appear.
city of palm desert landscape design manual page 42
VIII. Part Five: GLOSSARY (continued)
Emphasis: Major landscape components are highlighted more than less important ones. Framing, plant quantities, and creating unusual
focal points are examples of using emphasis in the landscape.
Environmentally Sound: A landscape that does not harm the environment, soil, water, and air. An environmentally sound landscape is
less dependent on pesticides, fertilizer, and water to maintain the desired appearance.
Form: The outline a plant creates as well as the three dimensional 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 aesthetics. Functionality is associated with
landscape uses.
Hardscaping: Manmade features in the landscape. Examples include walks, fences, and retaining walls.
Implementation: The process of installing plant materials and hard‐goods into the landscape. Landscape implementation is carried out
according to the completed landscape design.
Inorganic Materials or Inorganics: All of the construction materials used to create structure in the landscape. Examples include boulders,
coble, decomposed granite (D.G.), pavers, and fencing.
Key Plants: Landscape plants placed in a highly visible location. Key plants are frequently used individually or in small groups. 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 State‐licensed professional who plans and designs landscapes. Landscape architects are usually schooled in
engineering and architecture and typically work on projects larger than residential properties.
Landscape Designer: A professional without state licensure 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.
Maintainability/Sustainability: Process of making every individual segment of a landscape as easy to care for as is possible. A
maintainable landscape requires less labor, fewer supplies, and is less expensive to care for.
city of palm desert landscape design manual page 43
VIII. Part Five: GLOSSARY (continued)
Mass Plantings: Plantings where many plants of the same species are used to fill an area.
Perennial Gardens: Herbaceous plantings that can tolerate all seasons and will come back each year. Perennial gardens provide seasonal
interest for a longer period of time than annual gardens and can serve as focal points in the landscape.
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 shown in plan view.
Principles of Design: Process that defines and ties all individual components together to create unity within a design. Examples of
principles of design would be simplicity, variety, balance, emphasis, sequence, and scale.
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: The time of year that a plant provides a special characteristic such as flowers, fall color, fruits, etc. Color is
the element that is often first noticed about a plant. Color is frequently used in a landscape to provide interest throughout the entire
growing season. This is often referred to as seasonal interest.
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 important in a landscape design and what is not. 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 client interview for use in the development of the
landscape plan.
Site Plan: A drawing that incorporates all of the information collected about the landscape and provides the basic landscape design. A
site plan is usually drawn to scale, showing an entire legal parcel and its connection to the surrounding parcels or public right‐of‐way
from a bird’s eye view.
Site Survey: Collecting site specific information that will aid the designer in the development of the completed landscape design.
Examples include identifying soil type, drainage, structures, existing plants, and good and bad views.
Specimen Plants: Specimen plants can be part of a larger planting, but usually stand alone in the landscape. Specimen plants provide
specific seasonal interest or color through flowers, fruit, or leaves.
city of palm desert landscape design manual page 44
VIII. Part Five: GLOSSARY (continued)
city of palm desert landscape design manual page 45
Sustainable/Maintainable 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 landscape’s entire life.
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, and other plant parts. It can also be created by rough or smooth looking
surfaces, thin or thick leaf set, and by darkness or lightness.
Trees: Woody plants that usually have one main stem and reach a height of at least 12 feet. Trees are very important for screening,
framing, and shade, and are considered early in the landscape design process. Trees are usually placed before other plant material
because of their major impact on understory shrubs.
Variety: Mixing up the form, texture and color combinations in a landscape to create extra interest without sacrificing design simplicity.
Visually Pleasing: A landscape having an overall desirable appearance. A beautiful landscape would also be considered a visually
pleasing landscape.
city of palm desert landscape design manual 46
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