Green Hong Kong Campaign - Greening Knowledge

Many plants in the world have beautiful flowers and leaves, with graceful forms and shapes as well as high ornamental value. These plants are widely planted in homes, gardens, parks, roadside verges or other public places for appreciation and greening purposes. As most ornamental plants can only thrive under cultivation in a suitable environment with proper care, appropriate selection of plant species is essential to the planning of a greening project.

Groundcover

As far as morphology is concerned, plants can be broadly classified into trees, shrubs and climbers. Each kind of plants varies in its shape, characteristics and space for growth. Trees are tall and upright which require considerable space for growth. Shrubs are short and thickly grown which occupy a smaller space. Climbers attach themselves to other plants or other objects to grow. Moreover, plants of the same species also have different shapes such as umbrella shape, spherical shape, semi-spherical shape, flat spherical shape, upright shape, symmetrical shape, hanging shape, etc. Plants in different shapes, when amalgamated with the surrounding features will produce different visual effects. Pleasant aesthetics can be achieved through appropriate arrangements and thus, improving the environment.

With respect to the growth habit of plants, different kinds of plants vary in their demands on essential growth factors like sunlight, water and nutrients. Some species of plants need adequate sunlight and water, others are just the opposite, they are shade-loving and tolerant of drought. Sun-loving plants, if planted under shade, will wither and even die due to the shortage of nutrients caused by insufficient sunlight for photosynthesis. On the other hand, those shade-loving plants will suffer from leaf scorch under the hot sun, resulting in the loss of leave functions and then, withering.

As the growth of plants hinges on the environmental conditions, we have to inspect the selected site and gain understanding of its environment first before mapping out the greening school project. We then have to determine the scope and approach of the project according to the conditions of the environment before selecting the appropriate plant species for the greening project. The following points and factors should be noted when mapping out the greening project of the school campus -

1.	Site Inspection

	Whether the available space can accommodate the planting of trees or only suitable for the planting of shrubs ? Is it an outdoor or indoor planting location ? (Some plants are intolerant of inclement weather and great temperature variation - they are only suitable for planting in a stable greenhouse environment.) Will the planting location be directly illuminated by sunlight ? Should we choose shade-loving plants or sun-loving plants ? Is the ground surface built of concrete and only suitable for putting container plant displays ? Will the existing facilities such as the drainage channel and the cable duct be affected by the construction of a flower bed ? If the ground surface is natural soil, is there any debrises or stones in the soil? Is the soil suitable for planting purpose? Are there any unsightly scenes in the vicinity which should be screened off by plants ?
2.	Project Planning

	Know the rough amount of funds available. To determine the scope of the project, including whether there is a need to carry out the works on the reconstruction of the existing facilities, addition of a planter, a fence and an enclosing wall, etc.. To decide the plant species and planting design to be used for the project (trees, shrubs, climbers, sun-loving plants, shade-loving plants, indoor container plants) and roughly estimate the quantity required. To decide the plant species and planting design to be used for the project (trees, shrubs, climbers, sun-loving plants, shade-loving plants, indoor container plants) and roughly estimate the quantity required. To calculate the costs involved such as the construction cost, the cost for procuring plants and other materials. To apply for funding.
3.	Plant Selection

	After deciding on the way to implement the project and the kinds of plants to be used, the next step is to select the appropriate plant species. The following are the main factors for consideration - To achieve the anticipated effects required (e.g. blossom, foliage, bird-attracting, shading effect, screening off walls and the like). The availability of area and space for planting or container plant display. The illuminating and wind conditions of the planting environment. To choose the appropriate species for main feature and setting off purpose. Apart from the similar growth habits of the feature plant species and the setting off species, do their forms and shapes match each other ? Are the selected plant easily maintained and available in the market ? Project Implementation

4.	Project Implementation

	Verify the estimated expenditures and revise the project plan. Implement and commence the project.
	There are many species of ornamental plants. Many can be bought locally. To facilitate your selection, the characteristics and application of some common ornamental plants in Hong Kong are listed in this homepage for your reference.