LAWI301450 Planting design and horticultural ecosystem management

Type
Project course
Semester hours
2
Lecturer (assistant)
Rutter-Lehner, Alice
Organisation
Landscape Architecture
Offered in
Wintersemester 2026/27
Languages of instruction
Englisch
Content

The course explores plants as a design medium with a focus on climate-adapted, ecological use. It examines plants and various structural elements in terms of their ecological and design impact, and teaches students how to integrate these considerations into planting plans.

How can be find a suitable composition of different plants from an aesthetic perspective? How can landscape architecture elements be dramatically enhanced through planting? What ecological considerations must be taken into account for sustainable planting planning, and how can these be integrated into the design?

Practical assignments and theoretical content allow for a personal exploration of the topic and culminate in the design of a sample planting.

Structure of the Project Course:
1.Introduction to the Topic
2.Field Trip to “Blumengärten Hirschstetten”
3.Field Trip to Tulln (Die GartenTulln, Donaulände, Niebelungenplatz)
4.Site Walkthrough
5.Interim Presentation (Presentation of initial planting concepts)
6.Development of a theme-specific planting plan, including a planting layout for the project area (feedback sessions for progress updates and questions)
7.Presentation of the planting designs

To complete the course, students submit a portfolio containing the assignments from the field trips and the planting designs they have developed.
Previous knowledge expected

Plant knowledge (herbaceous & woody vegetation); basics in vegetation ecology and planting design
Objective (expected results of study and acquired competences)

Applying suitable planting concepts based on aesthetic and ecological considerations. Training of professional skills in planting design.
You can find more details like the schedule or information about exams on the course-page in BOKUonline.