The English word modern landscape borrows from Dutch and refers to a visual image of outdoor spaces. Landscaping, therefore, is the process of visualizing an image of a space and then creating that space. Lawn care professionals in the United States usually refer to themselves as landscape designers, regardless of their typical field of work. Some landscape designers only cut, prune, remove leaves, and plant flowers, while others provide comprehensive landscaping services, including designing, installing, and maintaining landscaping, irrigation, lighting, and plants.
Gardeners focus on the health and well-being of plants while landscapers are often involved in outdoor construction work such as driveways, patios, walls, and similar work known as “landscaping”. The main distinction between landscape architects and landscape designers is the license and the type and size of the project that could be designed. Both a landscape architect and a landscape designer can provide the planning, design, and direction that space will take, from the placement of outdoor structures to the shapes and design of soft landscape elements such as plants in a residential project.
For a commercial or public project, it is more common for a landscape architect or a landscape architect in training to be in charge. Garden maintenance technicians perform traditional gardening functions of caring for lawns, trees, garden beds, and potted orchards. Landscape designers work between these elements and modify them to improve the functionality and aesthetics of the space. A landscape designer may not need a degree but they can benefit from obtaining a certification in the design or they can also earn a master's degree to increase their job prospect.
In landscaping, entire plots can be dug up with heavy machinery and the terrain can be changed by importing not only plants but different types of soil and plants that may not be native to the area. A landscape architect should know how to create things with little or no work materials including designing outdoor spaces and planting commercial and residential areas. Gardeners also maintain the best appearance of the adjacent landscape by pressure washing paved surfaces and siding, cleaning downspouts and gutters, replacing light bulbs and sprinklers etc.
If you need to build a retaining wall, correct a drainage problem, install a slab path, add outdoor lighting or an irrigation system or maintain the lawn then a landscape designer can do it. Landscaping is the process of making a garden or land area more attractive by changing its existing designs, planting trees and shrubs, and adding decorative elements. When you hear architecture and landscape design they sound similar but both are completely separate.
The key to successful hiring is matching the landscape designer's knowledge, skills, and experience to their individual needs. Encouraging members to adhere to a code of professional standards, actively participate in continuing education, and keep up to date with cutting-edge developments and trends in the field of landscape design is essential for success.
The art of landscape design is about integrating the elements of a design with the effects of time as these spaces will grow, transform and change; these changes must be taken into account when designing spaces. It is important to understand the difference between landscape and landscaping so that you can make an informed decision when hiring someone for your project.
