This unit applies to the identifying the various plant families and a wide range of plants for different situations; making accurate observations of details; recognising the implications of environmental and climatic range; and assessing plants prior to planting. It requires knowledge of botanical geography; ethno botany; plant culture in Green Buildings; Conservatories and Glass Houses; lawns and lawn care; stakes and guying and irrigation and current process in new irrigation techniques.

ELEMENT

PERFORMANCE CRITERIA

1. Design with plants as a main focus of the design project

1.1. Identify plant families and genera, species and cultivars, by making accurate observations of fine details and applying logical and systematic methods of working.

1.2. Identify a wide range of plants for different design criterion and requirements, which include the use of aesthetic, ornamental, productive and economic plant groups.

1.3. Recognise and select plants appropriate to the design criterion.

1.4. Identify and design with plants appropriate for the use in Green Buildings (eg. Rooftops) Conservatories, Glass houses and Atriums.

2. Place plants in a designed space

2.1. Determine the implications of climate and environment on plant selection and design.

2.2. Recognise and choose plants that are adaptive to micro and meso climates in domestic, and small to moderate scale public space.

2.3. Assess plants prior to planting and identify their nature e.g. annual, perennial and arboreal.

2.4. Report on the cultural techniques required to establish and maintain plants in specialised environments.

3. Identify disorders and recommend soils and plant nutrition requirements

3.1. Identify soil types and condition and make recommendations for appropriate soil management techniques.

3.2. Identify organic and inorganic fertilisers and make appropriate recommendations.

3.3. Identify common plant disorders and make appropriate recommendations.

3.4. Instruct in the use and production of compost.

4. Establish and maintain plants in a designed landscape environment

4.1. Implement a range of propagation techniques.

4.2. Perform planting techniques.

4.3. Recognise appropriate situations for the use of, and make recommendations, regarding staking and guying.

4.4. Identify and apply appropriate irrigation techniques and manage irrigation applications.

4.5. Perform a range of appropriate pruning and shaping techniques ensuring optimum plant performance and make recommendations.

4.6. Identify weeds and recommend appropriate weed management.

4.7. Implement biological, organic and inorganic plant and plant pest management techniques.

4.8. Compile the recommendations and document a design plan or report.

Required skills

identify plant species and cultivars using botanical nomenclature

identify and select plants appropriate to the design criterion

identify and design with plants appropriate for the use in controlled environments

implement biological, organic and inorganic plant and plant pest management techniques

Identify and apply appropriate irrigation techniques and manage irrigation applications

identify and recommend soils and plant nutrition requirements

Identify weeds and recommend appropriate weed management

provide garden design solutions

compile the recommendations and document a design plan or report

use literacy skills to fulfil job roles as required by the organisation. The level of skill may range from reading and understanding documentation to completion of written reports

use oral communication skills/language competence to fulfil the job role as specified by the organisation including questioning, active listening, asking for clarification, negotiating solutions and responding to a range of views

use numeracy skills to estimate, calculate and record complex workplace measures

use interpersonal skills to work with others and relate to people from a range of cultural, social and religious backgrounds and with a range of physical and mental abilities.

Required knowledge

botany - plant structures and physiology

botanical geography (plant families, geographic distribution and links)

ethno botany (sustainability and the stories of plants)

plant taxonomy and nomenclature

aesthetic, ornamental, productive and economic plant groups

plant families and detailed knowledge of species and cultivars used in garden design, horticulture industry and other ornamental, productive and economic plant industries

the use and development of plants though history

types, properties and characteristics of a wide range of soils and growing media

horticultural media, information and knowledge based resources

turf culture

principles and processes of plant culture.

allied horticultural, environmental and conservation industries and movements

irrigation and current progress in new irrigation techniques

AS4419-2003 and AS4454-2003.

The evidence guide provides advice on assessment and must be read in conjunction with the performance criteria, required skills and knowledge, range statement and the Assessment Guidelines for the Training Package.

Overview of assessment

Critical aspects for assessment and evidence required to demonstrate competency in this unit

The evidence required to demonstrate competency in this unit must be relevant to workplace operations and satisfy holistically all of the requirements of the performance criteria and required skills and knowledge and include achievement of the following:

identify plant species and cultivars using botanical nomenclature

recognise and select plants appropriate to the design criterion

identify and design with plants appropriate for the use in controlled environments

implement biological, organic and inorganic plant and plant pest management techniques

Identify and apply appropriate irrigation techniques and manage irrigation applications

identify disorders and recommend soils and plant nutrition requirements

Identify weeds and recommend appropriate weed management

provide garden design solutions

compile the recommendations and document a design plan or report.

Context of and specific resources for assessment

Competency requires the application of work practices under work conditions. Selection and use of resources for some worksites may differ due to the regional or enterprise circumstances.

The range statement relates to the unit of competency as a whole.

Clients may include:

clients as private individuals

students

small and medium businesses

organisations

public bodies

community groups.

Physical elements and features may include:

proposed or existing structures

buildings

roads and paths

watercourses

irrigation and/or drainage systems

existing plants

topographic features

views and outlooks

climate and weather conditions

soils characteristics

access to site and existing site use details.

Functional analysis may include:

analysis of existing or proposed use of site

pedestrian movement

microclimatic notes

client requirements.

Unit sector

Plants

This unit contains employability skills.