Challenges associated with increased fluctuations in global climate, enhanced severity of weather events, and exacerbated urban heat island effects have created serious issues for plant specifications in modern landscape designs. Designs for these built environments will require increasing attention to plant specifications of taxa and maintenance regimes on the site that anticipate future needs. Structural elements such as low input development (LID) features and placement of plants in arrangements that contribute to abatement of urban heat islands, enhancing human comfort levels, and mitigating storm water runoff and nonpoint source pollution will be important contributions to lessening the adverse impacts of climate changes on urban and peri-urban built environments. We will explore some of the challenges and suggest some potential strategies to contribute to solutions through plant specifications.

Mike Arnold has been with the Texas A&M Department of Horticultural Sciences since 1993 and became Director of The Gardens at Texas A&M in 2020. He holds degrees in business administration, horticulture, and landscape horticulture from The Ohio State University and a Ph.D. in horticultural sciences from North Carolina State University.

A dedicated educator and researcher, Mike specializes in landscape establishment, transplant factors, and new plant development. He has served as president of the American Society of Horticultural Sciences and chaired the Texas Superstars committee. Passionate about teaching and community outreach, Mike’s favorite tree is the bald cypress—visit The Gardens to see it and explore more!