, landscaping is the de facto environment; it would seem shortsighted to replace live plant materials with artificial turf or other hardscapes. This conversion also risks reducing amenities that society may take for granted. These amenities are clearly
landscapes are capable of sustaining humans and nature simultaneously? Ones that feature plants that interact with the species around them. Such plants are the key; every ecosystem service required by humans (and most other animals as well) is created either
urban landscapes in the region use seasonal irrigation to maintain plant health and aesthetics. However, urban water use has become contentious. In the western United States, 50% to 60% of residential water is used for outdoor purposes, predominantly
issues of these plastic containers, particularly if plant materials are not sold during a season, and consumers and landscapers must also dispose of plastic containers once the plants are removed ( Evans and Karcher, 2004 ). An estimated 1.7 billion
problems that have spread through landscape plantings with low biodiversity. These pests, which attack more than one species within a commonly planted genus, include dogwood anthracnose ( Discula destructiva ), hemlock woolly adelgid ( Adelges tsugae ), and
, also can be defined, analyzed, and reported. Cradle-to-gate CF of nursery and landscape plants The CF of the components of production systems for the major crop categories for landscape plants has been modeled ( Table 1 ), including a field-grown shade
The demand for groundcover plants in residential and commercial landscapes is increasing due to several reasons, such as aesthetic appeal of masses of these low-growing plants in small- to medium-sized areas of the landscape, enhanced environmental
, 1996 ; Hubbell et al., 1997 ). Garden and landscape enthusiasts are also willing to seek pest- and disease-resistant ornamental plants for residential landscape use despite initial public skepticism about IPM ( Ball, 1986 ; Garber and Bondari, 1992
and support landscape plants, and future water shortages may literally change the American landscape if enough water is not allocated to ensure plant survival. This change may be in regionally native plants or overall drought-tolerant species. Recent
brushing teeth), outdoor indirect water use (e.g., watering gardens, lawns, and landscapes) is discretionary. Whereas water for irrigation meets a physical need for plants, the water indirectly meets a psychological need by elevating homeowners’ perceived