University of Minnesota Extension

CS-07525     2001

To Order


Plant Elements of Design, A Plant Selection Program

Plant Elements of Design is an interactive CD-ROM program developed to support the landscape design process by providing designers, architects and garden center professionals the opportunity to select plants with specific characteristics. Plants are chosen based on plant type, height, width, texture, seasonal interest, and other characteristics, such as soil and light requirements.

KEY FEATURES

  1. Over 550 woody plants and 700 herbaceous plants, all readily available all hardy in USDA Zone 4, with adjoining zones listed.
  2. Fast and easy to use, with instant search results.
  3. Over 2,400 pictures (pictures not available for some plants).
  4. Search for plants based on their characteristics (such as form, height, width, texture) or by common or scientific name.
  5. cover

  6. Information on soil and light requirements, disease and insect problems, growth rates, and best uses for each plant.
  7. Easily customized: add new plants or change existing information specific to your area.
  8. Create plant lists using Excel (which can be used on landscape designs) or print information about individual plants with pictures.
SYSTEM REQUIREMENTS
Hardware:
Processor:
486 or newer
RAM: 16 mg or more
Free HD: 10 mg or more
CD ROM drive
Software:
Windows 95, 98 or NT 4
Microsoft Excel



Search, Select, and view data.

Click on SEARCH tab to search for herbaceous or woody plants based on theirElements of design, such as height, width, plant type, texture, form, seasonal interest, flower color, use, insect/disease susceptibility, hardiness zones, or soil and light requirements.

database graphic englarged

Once the program provides you with a list of plants that match your criteria, SCROLL through them to VIEW plant data.

plant database larger graphic


View pictures.

Color photographs are available for most plants.

plant database larger graphic


Change or add data.

Using the UPDATE MODE you can revise data or easily add new plants as they are released.

plant database larger graphic


Print photos and data.

You can PRINT a single sheet for individual plants showing all the data for that plant along with available pictures.

data graphic


Create a plant key.

You can also PRINT each chosen plant to an Excel spreadsheet to compile a plant list. Then, you can customize that spreadsheet to show the information in the format you choose. The customized spreadsheet can be printed and applied directly to a landscape design as a plant key.

database graphic
database graphic

Additional information on designing landscapes with plants using Plant Elements of Design available at www.sustland.umn.edu

collegelogo

and
the Department of Horticultural Science

-

Produced by Communication and Educational Technology Services, University of Minnesota Extension.

In accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, this material is available in alternative formats upon request. Please contact your University of Minnesota Extension office or the Extension Store at (800) 876-8636.


▲ Back to top