Visual preference across plant grouping scales in residential autumn landscapes: evidence from an eye-tracking experiment

The medium ratio category (40–70%) received the highest preference scores, while the high category (70–100%) produced no further gain, indicating a non-monotonic categorical pattern. Medium-scale groupings showed a higher descriptive mean preference, but the mixed-effects model did not support grouping scale as a stable fixed effect. Whole-image eye-tracking indicators showed very weak associations with preference and no consistent prediction of ratings in the mixed-effects models.

At the area-of-interest level, area-normalized total fixation duration indicated that attention allocation varied with area type and colored-leaf ratio category. These findings support intermediate colored-leaf proportions as preliminary design references for aesthetic cultural ecosystem service-oriented seasonal planting in cold-region residential landscapes.</p> <p></p><p>Urban greenspace managers can treat autumn color as a plant composition feature that contributes to aesthetic cultural ecosystem services.

Within the tested Shenyang stimulus set, the medium colored-leaf ratio category (40%–70%) offers a preliminary reference for balancing seasonal visual attraction, green background, and perceived spatial coordination.</p><p>Medium-scale plant groupings can be considered in close-range residential viewing contexts, although this recommendation remains preliminary because grouping scale was not supported as a stable fixed effect.

Together, subjective preference and eye-tracking evidence provide perceptual support for aesthetic CES-oriented seasonal planting under controlled image viewing conditions.</p><p>Because visual attention varied by landscape area and colored-leaf ratio, planting guidance should consider where autumn color is positioned, not only its overall proportion. Local pilot testing is advisable before applying these findings beyond cold region residential landscapes.</p><p></p> <p>Urban greenspace managers can treat autumn color as a plant composition feature that contributes to aesthetic cultural ecosystem services.

Within the tested Shenyang stimulus set, the medium colored-leaf ratio category (40%–70%) offers a preliminary reference for balancing seasonal visual attraction, green background, and perceived spatial coordination.</p> <p>Medium-scale plant groupings can be considered in close-range residential viewing contexts, although this recommendation remains preliminary because grouping scale was not supported as a stable fixed effect.

Together, subjective preference and eye-tracking evidence provide perceptual support for aesthetic CES-oriented seasonal planting under controlled image viewing conditions.</p> <p>Because visual attention varied by landscape area and colored-leaf ratio, planting guidance should consider where autumn color is positioned, not only its overall proportion. Local pilot testing is advisable before applying these findings beyond cold region residential landscapes.</p>