Plant Studies II: Shrubs
Plant Studies II: Shrubs
Focusing on understory plants and their communities, instruction focuses on selecting and placing appropriate plant material to influence the landscape architect's overall site composition.
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What you can learn.
About This Course
One of two required plant studies courses, focusing on shrub plantings, their communities, and their place in the landscape. Instruction focuses on selecting plants and composing plant palettes that are horticulturally compatible, responsive to site-specific environmental conditions, promote biodiversity of flora and fauna, and fulfill site design aesthetics and functionality objectives. The majority of plants covered are climate-appropriate for the Southern California region and meet State of California and local jurisdictions’ water-use regulations for permitting. Soil conditions, supplemental irrigation needs, and life-cycle maintenance requirements are included in plant selection criteria.
In addition to evening Zoom classes, students will attend two mandatory, in-person, weekend field trips to selected sites in the Los Angeles area. Students will also conduct self-guided “plant safaris” to botanical gardens, campuses, or other locations in their local area where they will identify plants, take photos, sketch, and document site conditions.
Winter 2026 Schedule
Required in person meeting: Saturday, January 24
Required in person meeting: Saturday, March 7
No class meeting on January 22; March 5
This hybrid section is made up of In Person and Live Online instruction.
International Students: This hybrid section is not considered in person for immigration purposes.
Internet access required. Materials required.
This course applies toward the following programs
Landscape Architecture
Whether you want to design a national park, or a modest, water-efficient backyard, landscape architecture can give you the skills and abilities to change the places you live, work, and play for the better. The profession of landscape architecture is a multidisciplinary field that weaves together design, environmental systems, sustainability, construction knowledge—as well as land and water conservation—to influence place making, and to create designed outdoor living spaces.
Plants for the Landscape
Plant identification and knowledge is essential for both working and aspiring landscape and design professionals. The Plants for the Landscape Specialization equips students with an extensive plant palette necessary to succeed in the fields of landscape maintenance and design.