Theses and Dissertations

Issuing Body

Mississippi State University

Advisor

Seymour, Michael

Committee Member

Brzuszek, Robert

Committee Member

Summerlin, Peter

Date of Degree

8-9-2022

Document Type

Graduate Thesis - Open Access

Major

Landscape Architecture

Degree Name

Master of Landscape Architecture (M.L.A.)

College

College of Agriculture and Life Sciences

Department

Department of Landscape Architecture

Abstract

Landscape architects and designers have the ability to construct plantings in a landscape with native or non-native plants, or a combination of both plant types. The question at hand is, why choose one over the other? This study explores what might impact the plant choice decisions of practicing landscape architects in the southeast United States. A survey is utilized to understand how respondents make plant choice decisions and perceive native plants. Comparisons between previous studies are made focusing on their distribution methods, survey populations and major findings. The findings of this study are not conclusive due to a small response rate; however, they can be applied to the survey population. The results may indicate that the most common obstacles when using native plants are limited availability of natives and difficulty sourcing them, aesthetics and negative client perception, and the maintenance requirements and lack of maintenance knowledge of native plants.

Download

Share

COinS