5 Types of Manicured Planting Techniques in Landscape Design

Manicured planting adds a touch of natural beauty to your designs. It involves the careful selection and placement of plants that are pruned and maintained to create a polished, refined look. 

Incorporating manicured planting in a landscape not only makes it look stunning but also provides numerous other benefits, such as improved air quality and increased property value.

5 Types of Manicured Planting Techniques

  1. Topiary
  2. Hedge Trimming
  3. Espalier
  4. Green Roofs
  5. Vertical Gardens

1. Topiary

Topiary is a technique that involves shaping plants into decorative forms and shapes. This technique can be used to create everything from simple geometric shapes to complex animal sculptures. 

  • When selecting plants for topiary, it's important to choose species that are naturally dense and bushy, such as boxwood or yew. 
  • Topiary requires regular pruning to maintain its shape, and the more intricate the design, the more maintenance it will require.

Versailles Gardens

Topiary Gardeing Technique at Versailles Gardens
Topiary Gardeing Technique at Versailles Gardens

The Palace of Versailles in France is home to some of the most iconic and beautiful gardens in the world. The Versailles gardens feature intricate topiary and parterres that are famous around the world even today. 

  • The garden's manicured planting technique is used to create symmetrical patterns. 
  • The geometric shapes, perfectly trimmed hedges, and topiary sculptures are a testament to the use of manicured planting.

2. Hedge Trimming

Hedge trimming is a technique that involves sculpting hedges into precise shapes and patterns. This technique can create a natural-looking border around your design or be used to create more complex patterns, such as mazes. 

  • It's important to choose species that grow densely and can be easily shaped, such as privet or laurel. 
  • Hedge trimming also requires regular pruning to maintain its shape.

Château de Villandry

Hedge Trimming at Château de Villandry
Hedge Trimming at Château de Villandry

The gardens at the Château de Villandry are famous for their intricate parterres and geometric patterns. The gardens feature a mix of topiary and hedge trimming techniques to create a stunning visual display. The geometric shapes, perfectly trimmed hedges, and topiary sculptures are a testament to the use of manicured planting in landscape designs.

3. Espalier

Espalier involves training trees or shrubs to grow flat against a wall or trellis. This technique can create a unique texture and pattern on the walls of your design. 

  • When selecting plants for espalier, it's important to choose species that have flexible branches and can be easily trained, such as apple trees or climbing roses. 
  • Espalier requires regular pruning to maintain its shape and keep the plant growing in the desired direction.

Southern Magnolias at Lewis Ginter Gardens

Espalier at Southern Magnolias at Lewis Ginter Gardens
Espalier at Southern Magnolias at Lewis Ginter Gardens

These trees are grown flat against the brick wall creating a stunning contrast between the vegetation and the built environment. It is important to consider wind and sun direction while choosing a wall for espaliers.

4. Green Roofs

Green roofs are a type of manicured planting technique that involves covering the roof of a building with vegetation. This technique can provide insulation, reduce stormwater runoff, and create a natural habitat for wildlife. 

  • When selecting plants for green roofs, it's important to choose species that are drought-tolerant and can withstand the extreme temperature fluctuations that can occur on a roof. 
  • Green roofs require regular maintenance to ensure that the plants are healthy and thriving.

Green Nest House by ON-A

Green Roof at Green Nest House by ON-A
Green Roof at Green Nest House by ON-A

This house, inspired by nature itself, was designed to be entirely sustainable and recyclable. The roof and one of the walls of the house have small but dense vegetation growing on them, not only making the design aesthetic but also providing air filtering and insulation properties.

5. Vertical Gardens

Vertical gardens, also known as living walls, are a type of manicured planting technique that involves growing plants vertically on a wall or other vertical surface. This technique can be used to add a touch of greenery to an otherwise dull or unattractive wall, or to create a statement piece in your architectural design. 

  • When selecting plants for vertical gardens, it's important to choose species that are lightweight and have shallow root systems, such as ferns or succulents. 
  • Vertical gardens require regular maintenance to ensure that the plants are healthy and properly watered.

CaixaForum by Herzog and Meuron

Vertical Gardens at CaixaForum by Herzog and Meuron
Vertical Gardens at CaixaForum by Herzog and Meuron

As a part of Madrid's cultural program, this building was designed to attract the art lovers. The green wall, spanning multiple floors creates a contrast between nature and the building using various materials, textures and colours.

Incorporating Manicured Planting in Landscapes

  1. Plant Selection

Choosing the right plants is essential to achieve manicured planting. Opt for species with dense foliage that can be trimmed into precise shapes.

  1. Placement

Manicured planting can be used to create borders, define spaces, and add texture to your architectural design. Hedges or topiaries can create natural-looking borders around your design, while espalier can add texture to the walls of your building.

  1. Maintenance

Regular maintenance is crucial to keep manicured planting looking its best. This includes regular pruning, watering, and fertilizing. 

Advantages of Manicured Planting

  1. Aesthetics

Manicured planting adds an extra level of sophistication to any architectural design. It can create a natural-looking border or add texture to the walls of a building.

  1. Sustainability

Apart from bringing green covers into urban areas, incorporating practices such as using native plants, reducing water usage, and implementing green roofs can help reduce your carbon footprint.

Disadvantages of Manicured Planting 

  1. Maintenance

Manicured planting requires regular maintenance to keep it looking its best. This may include watering, fertilizing, pruning, and pest management. While maintenance can be relatively low for some designs, others may require significant upkeep.

  1. Cost

Manicured planting may be more expensive compared to other landscaping options, as it requires specific types of plants and skilled labor for maintenance.

In addition to these techniques, sustainable landscaping practices such as the use of native plants and the reduction of water usage can also be employed. Using native plants helps to promote biodiversity, as they are more adapted to the local climate and require less maintenance.

5 Types of Manicured Planting Techniques in Landscape Design