Purpose

The Planting Palettes tool is used to create, manage, and apply collections of plant species within an Artisan project. Planting palettes help standardise planting design by grouping plants into defined schemes, themes, habitats, or project-specific planting arrangements, improving consistency and efficiency during design development.

Standard Workflow

1. Review Project Requirements

Before creating a planting palette:

• Open the project drawing.
• Review the planting design brief.
• Confirm project objectives, environmental requirements, and maintenance considerations.
• Identify the plant species required for the scheme.
• Review any existing project palettes that may already meet the design requirements.

2. Create a New Planting Palette

To establish a new planting palette:

1. Open the Planting Palettes manager.
2. Select Create New Palette.
3. Enter a unique palette name.
4. Add a description outlining the intended use.
5. Define any project-specific categories or classifications.
6. Save the new palette.

3. Add Plants to the Palette

Once the palette has been created:

1. Search the plant database.
2. Select the required plant species.
3. Add each plant to the palette.
4. Verify botanical names and plant information.
5. Continue until all desired species have been included.
6. Save the updated palette.

4. Organise Palette Content

To improve usability:

• Group plants by category if required.
• Organise species according to design intent.
• Review planting combinations for compatibility.
• Remove unused or duplicate entries.
• Ensure naming conventions follow project standards.

5. Edit Existing Palettes

When design revisions occur:

1. Open the required palette.
2. Add, remove, or update plant selections.
3. Review design objectives following any changes.
4. Save the revised palette.
5. Confirm the updated palette remains aligned with project requirements.

6. Apply the Palette to the Design

To use a palette in the planting design:

1. Select the appropriate planting area.
2. Choose the required planting palette.
3. Insert plants from the palette into the design.
4. Verify spacing, quantities, and plant selection.
5. Review the resulting planting layout.

7. Review Planting Information

Before generating project outputs:

• Check all plant species are correctly assigned.
• Verify botanical names and specifications.
• Confirm quantities and densities.
• Ensure the palette reflects the approved design.
• Review coordination with planting schedules.

8. Generate Planting Documentation

For project deliverables:

1. Generate planting schedules.
2. Create plant legends where required.
3. Review species lists and quantities.
4. Check all palette content is represented accurately.
5. Include outputs within the drawing package.

9. Validate and Save

Before completing the workflow:

• Verify all plant selections are correct.
• Confirm palette naming conventions have been followed.
• Check species quantities and layout information.
• Review associated schedules and legends.
• Save the drawing and update project documentation.

Recommended Standard Practice

1. Review project planting requirements.
2. Create a project-specific planting palette.
3. Add approved plant species.
4. Organise and review the palette contents.
5. Apply the palette to planting areas.
6. Generate schedules and legends.
7. Complete quality assurance checks.
8. Save and issue project information.

Typical Planting Palette Tasks

Quality Control Checklist

Before completing work:

✅ Palette name follows project standards
✅ Plant selections reviewed and approved
✅ Botanical names verified
✅ Duplicate species removed where necessary
✅ Plant quantities checked
✅ Planting schedules generated successfully
✅ Legends updated and coordinated
✅ Design intent maintained
✅ Documentation reviewed
✅ Drawing saved successfully

Outcome

Following the Planting Palettes workflow ensures that plant selections are organised, reusable, and consistently applied across landscape projects. Effective palette management improves design efficiency, supports project standardisation, and ensures accurate coordination between planting plans, schedules, and construction documentation.