Test Your Landscaping Design Knowledge

Landscape design is an independent profession that combines nature and culture, practiced by landscape designers who bridge the space between landscape architecture and garden design.

Landscape design focuses on both the integrated master landscape planning of a property and the specific garden design of landscape elements and plants within it.

Design factors include objective qualities such as climate, topography, site drainage, municipal and resource building codes, soils, irrigation, human and vehicular access and circulation, furnishings, lighting, native plant habitat botany, property safety, security, construction detailing, and other measurable considerations.

Design factors also include subjective qualities such as genius loci, client's needs and preferences, desirable plants and elements to retain on site, artistic composition, spatial development and definition, plant palettes, and artistic focal points for enjoyment.

Online landscape design allows professional landscapers to remotely design and plan sites through manipulation of two-dimensional images without ever physically visiting the location.

Historically, landscape designers trained by apprenticing, but institutional education in landscape design appeared in the early 20th century.

Ornamental horticulture programs with design components are offered at community college and universities within schools of agriculture or horticulture, while departments of landscape architecture are located within university schools of architecture or environmental design.

Many landscape designers have an interest and involvement with gardening, personally or professionally, and gardens are dynamic and not static after construction and planting are completed.

Involvement with landscape management and direction of the ongoing garden direction, evolution, and care depend on the professional's and client's needs and inclinations.

There can be an overlap of services offered under the titles of landscape designer or professional gardener.

Landscape designers often collaborate with related disciplines such as architecture, civil engineering, surveying, landscape contracting, and artisan specialties.