2.5: Landscaping

(21 maximum points possible)

Landscaping (21 points)

GREEN GLOBES #2.5.1.1 - ANSI #7.5.1.1 Was a landscape design planned and installed as follows?

Assessment Guidance

Where an irrigation system is installed, refer to Water Efficiency, Section 9.8, Irrigation.

References 

• Agroforestry Note 38 – Landscape planning for environmental benefits USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service, (2008) 
• State and local university or college landscape reference guide 
• Cooperative Extension Research, Education and Extension Service (USDA CSREES) - Local Cooperative Extension System Offices

Recommended Documents 

• Site plans 
• Project specifications 
• Project drawings 
• Landscape and irrigation plan

GREEN GLOBES #2.5.1.1.1 - ANSI #7.5.1.1.1

Developed by a landscape architect, certified professional landscape designer, certified horticulturalist, or other qualified professional; AND shows the natural light conditions of the site; AND structural limitations that would impact the location and growth of plants.

• Yes (3 points)
• No (0 points)
• N/A

Assessment Guidance

Examples of structural limitations are shading, utilities, overhangs, lights.

Not applicable where there is no room for landscaping.

GREEN GLOBES #2.5.1.1.2 - ANSI #7.5.1.1.2

Identifies existing soil types, and the installed landscape incorporates appropriate soil preparation and drainage to support root development for vegetation planned for the site.

• Yes (3 points)
• No (0 points)
• N/A

Assessment Guidance

Not applicable where there is no room for landscaping.

GREEN GLOBES #2.5.1.2 - ANSI #7.5.1.2 What percentage of the vegetated area uses noninvasive and drought tolerant plants?

• >75% (3 points) 
• ≥50 and ≤75% (2 points) 
• ≥25 and <50% (1 points) 
• <25% (0 points)
• N/A

Assessment Guidance

Website or literature that indicates the given plant(s) are drought-tolerant or require little to no supplemental water for the specific region is required documentation.

Only applicable when the determination of plant invasiveness is guided by a list or lists that: 

• cover the appropriate geographical region; AND 
• are not limited to noxious weeds.

Not applicable where there is no room for landscaping.

References 

• WaterSense®’s “What to Plant” 
• 2016 Invasive Species Compendium 
• Federal and state noxious weed lists 
• USDA National Invasive Species Information Center
• State and local university or college landscape reference guide

Recommended Documents

• Landscape and irrigation plan 
• Local or regional plant list

GREEN GLOBES #2.5.1.3 - ANSI #7.5.1.3 What percentage of the vegetated area is covered with plants (new, retained, or salvaged plantings) that are native?

• >75% (4 points)
• >50 and ≤75% (3 points) 
• >32 and ≤50% (2 points) 
• ≥20 and ≤32% (1 points) 
• <20% (0 points) 
• N/A

Assessment Guidance

Not applicable where there is no room for landscaping.

Recommended Documents

• Local or regional plant list 
• Landscape and irrigation plan

GREEN GLOBES #2.5.1.4 - ANSI #7.5.1.4 Does the landscape design show that plants with similar water requirements are grouped together on the site?

• Yes (2 points)
• No (0 points)
• N/A

Assessment Guidance

Not applicable where all of the landscaping is a preserved natural area or where there is no room for landscaping.

Recommended Documents 

• Local or regional plant list 
• Landscape and irrigation plan

GREEN GLOBES #2.5.1.5 - ANSI #7.5.1.5 Does the building project support on-site agriculture accessible to building users or employees in any of the following ways?

Assessment Guidance

Not applicable for interior-only projects.

References

• Xerces Society for Invertebrate Conservation, Pollinator-Friendly Plant Lists 
• Pollinator Partnership, Ecoregional Planting Guides

Recommended Documents 

• Site plans 
• Project specifications 
• Project drawings 
• Local or regional plant list 
• Landscape and irrigation plan

GREEN GLOBES #2.5.1.5.1 - ANSI #7.5.1.5.1 : Rooftop garden(s), edible landscape(s), food forest, or community garden is installed onsite.

• Yes (2 points)
• No (0 points)
• N/A

Assessment Guidance

Not applicable for interior-only projects.

GREEN GLOBES #2.5.1.5.2 - ANSI #7.5.1.5.2 : 25% of vegetated area is dedicated to pollinator-friendly plantings or an apiary.

• Yes (2 points)
• No (0 points)
• N/A

Assessment Guidance

Not applicable for interior-only projects.

GREEN GLOBES #2.5.1.5.3 - ANSI #7.5.1.5.3 : Chicken coop, aquaponics farm, AND/OR greenhouse is installed on-site.

• Yes (2 points)
• No (0 points)
• N/A

Assessment Guidance

Not applicable for interior-only projects.

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