| Aquatic plants are essential materials for waterscape. Being deep understanding of their importance for landscaping and ecological function, aquatic plants are used more and more widely. For hot construction of waterscape in West Lake Scenic Area recently, this paper made a systematic study on its conditions of planting design, planting style, maintenance and management of aquatic plants, which was based on a field investigation for more than two years. Furthermore, this paper did hope to provide useful experiences to how to improve landscaping diversity and species of aquatic plants and how to enlarge their further uses. The results were summarized as follows:1. By the field investigation for more than two years, totally 72 species of aquatic plants were surveyed, which are belonged to 30 families in West Lake Scenic Area. These plants consisted of 54 species of Emergent plants, 9 Floating-leaved plants, 3 Floating plants and 6 Submerged plants. The widely used aquatic plants are common species, and some cultural varieties are also extensively applied. More and more wild aquatic plants were introduced to the west area of the West Lake. However, there are still lack of evergreen species for aquatic plants.2. Based on an analysis to the phenospectrum of dominant species of aquatic plants in West Lake Scenic Area, the germination period of aquatic plants in West Lake Scenic Area are mainly in March annually, and quick vegetative stage from April to May, flowering stage from April to November, withering appeared from October to December, and dormant period from December to February. Meanwhile, flower colour and height and proper depth range of some aquatic plants were also investigated. These results are beneficial to planting design and utilization of aquatic plants.3. There are various water styles in West Lake Scenic Area. With a long ornamental period, aquatic plants benefit to waterscape and conservation of water quality. Four characteristics of the aquatic plants used in West Lake landscape were concluded, which are embedding historical and cultural connotation, varying landscape appearance corresponding to seasons, making planting design flexibly, as well as emphasizing ecological function.4. Analysing the aquatic plants and their year-round appearance in typical waterscape of West Lake Scenic Area, different kinds of landscape meanings were indicated. 'Hua Gang Guan Yu Hong Yu Chi' carved its main scenery and built great reflections alongside its revetment. 'Qu Yuan Feng He' demonstrated its main topic of lotus by great uses of 'Nelumbo nucifera''. 'Liu Lang Wen Ying Wan Liu Tang' intensified appreciation of aquatic plants far and near by layout of water space and color contrast. 'Tai Zi Wan' owned its unique landscape by the running water. 'Mao Xiang Shui Qing' showed beauty of wild and ecological landscape thoroughly, based on its natural water and whole requirement of 'Xihuxijin'.5. According to the water characteristics and landscape demands, four main styles of applied revetments were discussed, which including the gentle slope, pine piling, dry stone masonry, and cemented stone masonry. Three main adopted planting styles were also demonstrated as the natural planting, container planting, and bed planting as well. The proper revetments combined with the corresponding planting styles showed distinguished view in West Lake Scenic Area.6. Through long-term investigation, this paper put forward that more species of aquatic plants should be used in further landscaping, especially the evergreen or suitable wild species. Concerned about the continuously scenery and avoidance of invasive plants in waterscape, the effective management and maintenance should be promoted.
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