Guide · Nov 6, 2026
How to Read Landscape Plans: Plant Symbols, Plant Schedules, Hardscape and Notes
By Eli Gewirtzman, Owner · Last checked Nov 6, 2026
A landscape plan is a to-scale drawing of outdoor work: plants, paving, walls, irrigation and notes. Start with the title block, north arrow and scale, then the legend. Match each plant symbol or code on the plan to a row in the plant schedule (botanical name, size, quantity, spacing). Read hardscape and grades next, then irrigation if it is on a separate sheet.
Landscape sheets usually carry an L prefix, like L-101 for planting and L-200 for irrigation, but firms vary. Our guide to what sheet numbers like A-101 mean covers the numbering. For property lines, setbacks and site grades that the landscape set sits on, see how to read a site plan.
1. Orient yourself: title block, north arrow, scale
DeSoto, Texas, asks landscape plans for a title block that clearly says “LANDSCAPE PLAN,” plus the subdivision name, lot and survey data, city, owner, landscape architect and a log of revision dates. Oakley, California, likewise wants the drawing scale, north arrow, vicinity map, sheet index and the landscape architect’s stamp on the sheets.
Landscape plans commonly use an engineer’s scale such as 1″ = 10′ or 1″ = 20′. A graphic scale bar still measures correctly if a copy was enlarged or reduced; a written scale is only true at the original sheet size. Our architect’s scale guide is for architectural edges; site and landscape sheets usually need an engineer’s scale instead.
2. Read the legend before the plants
The legend is the key. Plant symbols are office conventions, not a single national standard. Typical habits:
| Symbol habit | Often means |
|---|---|
| Large circle with a center mark | Tree (deciduous); evergreen trees may have a jagged outline |
| Smaller circle | Shrub |
| Hatched or stippled bed | Groundcover or mass planting |
| Linear linked shrubs | Hedge |
| Dashed tree outline | Existing tree to remain |
| Tree with an X | Tree to be removed |
Symbols are often drawn at mature spread, not nursery size, so the plan shows whether plants will fit together when grown. When the legend disagrees with any table on this page, the legend wins. Our blueprint abbreviations guide covers labels like OC (on center) that appear in spacing notes.
3. Match symbols to the plant schedule
Every tagged plant or group should appear in the plant schedule (sometimes called a plant list or legend table). DeSoto requires a “complete description of plant materials” including common and botanical names, quantities, container size, caliper, installed and mature height and canopy spread, with every plant grouping labeled on the plan. Oakley’s planting-plan checklist asks for a legend summarizing botanical and common name, quantity, size and spacing, plus the location of every proposed plant.
| Schedule column | What it tells you |
|---|---|
| Code / symbol | Matches the tag on the plan (for example QR, AC) |
| Botanical name | Scientific name (genus and species) |
| Common name | Everyday name |
| Size | Caliper for trees, height/spread or container size for shrubs and perennials |
| Quantity | Total count for the project |
| Spacing | On-center distance for hedges and groundcover |
| Remarks | Staking, root barrier, substitutions or warranty notes |
A useful check before ordering plants: count the symbols on the plan and compare them with the schedule totals. Flag mismatches to the designer before anyone buys material.
4. Read hardscape, walls and existing trees
Beyond planting, the same set (or a companion layout sheet) shows:
- Paving and hardscape: walks, patios, decorative paving, planters and entry features. DeSoto asks for entryway features, screening walls (material and height) and living screens detailed by species, spacing and heights.
- Existing trees: Oakley wants trees over 6″ diameter shown with type, trunk diameter, dripline and a note whether each is removed or retained, plus protection details when trees remain.
- Utilities and sight lines: both cities ask for utilities, easements and clearances so plants and walls don’t conflict with hydrants, meters, sidewalks or corner sight triangles.
- Root barriers: Oakley requires a root barrier for trees planted less than five feet from paving.
5. Read irrigation and water notes when they are on the set
Many landscape packages split irrigation onto its own sheets. Oakley’s checklist (tied to California’s Model Water Efficient Landscape Ordinance) asks designers to delineate hydrozones, label them by water use, separate drip from spray and lawn from shrubs, and show controllers, valves, backflow prevention, meters and schedules. Even outside California, a hydrozone boundary on a planting plan is a cue that those plants share an irrigation valve.
If the package has both a planting plan and an irrigation plan, read them together: plant codes on L-101 should land inside the hydrozones drawn on L-201.
What reviewers look for on landscape sheets
| Item | DeSoto, TX | Oakley, CA |
|---|---|---|
| Title / identity | Bold “LANDSCAPE PLAN” title block, revision log | Project title, scale, north arrow, LA stamp |
| Plant schedule | Common + botanical names, quantities, sizes, heights, canopy | Botanical + common name, quantity, size, spacing |
| Plants drawn | All existing and proposed plants shown and labeled by group | Location of all proposed plant materials |
| Existing trees | Shown with other site features | >6″ dia. trees typed, dripline, keep/remove, protection |
| Compliance table | Required vs provided landscape area, edges, parking islands | MWELO documentation package and statements |
| Copies | Not stated on the checklist excerpt | Checklist notes full-size copies for plan review |
Your town’s list may differ. Planning boards and HOAs often want color exhibits; our landscape and site plan color printing post covers which sheets need color. For HOA submittals, see printing plans for HOA approval.
Printing landscape plans
Planting plans that use color fills to separate plant groups or hydrozones lose that information in black and white. Layout, grading, irrigation piping and detail sheets are usually fine in black and white. Print at the size the PDF was drawn at so the written scale stays true; 24×36 is common for residential landscape work, and 36×48 for large parcels or board exhibits.
PrintMyPlans.com prints PDF plans on 20 lb bond at $1.95 per sheet in black and white or $3.75 in color, the same price at every size: 17×22, 18×24, 22×34, 24×36, 30×42 and 36×48. Printing only, before shipping:
| Example | Sheets | Printing |
|---|---|---|
| Planting plan + plant schedule, 1 color copy | 2 color | $7.50 |
| Residential set: 6 B&W + 2 color | 8 | $19.20 |
| Planning board: 3 copies of 1 color planting plan | 3 color | $11.25 |
WELCOME20 takes 20% off a first order, so the 8-sheet mixed example comes to $15.36 in printing. Price your own set with the plan printing cost calculator. If you print landscape sets often, see plan printing for landscape architects. For complete architectural sets, see architectural plan printing.
We print plans; we don’t design, stamp, check or change them. Questions about plant substitutions, irrigation or code items go to your landscape architect or designer.
FAQ
What is the difference between a landscape plan and a planting plan?
A planting plan focuses on plant locations and the plant schedule. A full landscape set usually adds layout/hardscape, grading, irrigation and details. Some packages put all of that on sheets labeled “Landscape Plan.”
How do I know what a plant symbol means?
Use the legend and the plant schedule on that set. Symbols are not universal.
Should landscape plans be printed in color?
Print color when color carries meaning (plant groups, hydrozones, aerial underlays, board exhibits). Construction layout and irrigation linework are usually black and white.
What scale are landscape plans drawn at?
Often an engineer’s scale such as 1″ = 10′ or 1″ = 20′. Check the title block and the graphic scale bar.
Do you design landscape plans?
No. We print from your PDF. The design comes from you or your landscape architect.
For related sheets, see how to read a site plan, types of construction drawings and civil engineering plan printing.
Printing it
When the PDF is final, upload it on the order page and choose the size it was drawn at, black and white or color, and the number of copies. Order by 3 PM ET on business days and it ships same day, arrives as soon as the next day, rolled in protective tubes, to all 50 states. Free 2-day air shipping on orders over $95 (lower 48 states).
Sources
- City of DeSoto, TX, Landscape Plan Requirements checklist
- City of Oakley, CA, Landscape Plan Checklist (Public Works and Engineering)
Order by 3 PM ET, ships same day. Delivery timing depends on the shipping service and destination. See the terms for business-day and holiday details.