Landscape Architect vs Landscape Designer – The Spruce

Maybe you have a pool or patio project that's bigger than you can handle, and you need to contact a professional. Perhaps you or a relative love to work with plants, along with designing and building things so much, that one of you wants to pursue an education in landscape architecture or design.

So, what is the difference between landscape architects and landscape or garden designers? Apparently, more than you may realize.

To legally call yourself a landscape architect, you must have a bachelor's and/or master's degree in landscape architecture from a university and be licensed by the state in order to design and work on landscape projects. Traditionally, they attend colleges accredited by the American Society of Landscape Architects (ASLA) and have passed the required exams to become licensed. A good and reputable landscape architect has experience or has the training to work with challenging issues in both commercial and residential sites, including:

Licensed landscape architects plan and design public outdoor spaces, such as parks, campuses, gardens, cemeteries, commercial centers, resorts, transportation facilities, and waterfront developments. They also design and plan the restoration of natural places disturbed by humans such as wetlands, stream corridors, mined areas, and forested land. An education in and respect for historic landscapes and cultural resources allows landscape architects to work on preservation planning projects for national, state, and local historic outdoor sites and areas.

Landscape architects will be employed in private, public, and academic organizations.

The primary distinction between landscape architects and landscape designers is that designers usually work on smaller residential projects. While some landscape designers may have training equivalent to a landscape architectespecially if they have an undergraduate-or-higher degree in landscape architecture they do not have the state license, which is a requirement.

Some landscape designers are self-taught, but most have taken courses at a college, university, through an extension or certificate program, or online. In other words, you can't suddenly wake up one day and just decide to call yourself a landscape designer.

Most garden designers work with the soft stuffplants. Some landscape or garden designers may have experience withhardscape, especially in drought-prone regions (like California and Nevada), where pebbles and bark are used as often as succulents and natives. But to do any actual earth-moving construction, wall building, or electrical work, a licensed landscape contractor needs to be brought into the project.

When you consult a landscape designer, you will have a discussion or interview about the project. Usually, the designer will show up at your home, look at the yard, take photos, and ask about preferences in plants, garden maintenance, budget, etc. The designer will then create a plan view drawing and plant list. Depending on how the designer works, he might visit local nurseries with you, make suggestions or help you shop for materials and furnishings, and do actual plant placement. From there, she will make suggestions for another landscaping contractor or professional to do the physical work, which might include excavating an existing garden and hardscape, building patios and decks, and installing plants.

The group, the Association of Professional Landscape Designers (APLD), was incorporated in 1989. It encourages thatmembers adhere to a code of professional standards, actively participate in continuing education, and stay current with state-of-the-art developments and trends in the landscape design field. A certification program is offered to members and is based on built or completed projects that provide professional recognition to designers who can pass a peer review program. Through its website, the APLD offers consumers access to trained designers in their region who are members of the APLD.

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Landscape Architect vs Landscape Designer - The Spruce