What a Landscape Architect Wants You to Know About Their Profession

Landscape architects design parks, plazas, green roofs, gardens, public art, fountains — a broad, flexible field across many sectors. Yet myths persist about what we do, how we work, our qualifications, and what we don’t do. Here’s a breakdown to dispel misconceptions.

What Do Landscape Architects Do?

Design and plan outdoor spaces. The landscape section sketch shows the design process: relationship to home, important views, spatial orientation. In residential work: gardens, plantings, pools, paving, stormwater management, more.

Key distinction: Landscape architects are licensed and trained to design landscapes, not build them. We work primarily through design drawings to collaborate with clients, architects, contractors.

Landscape Architecture Is a Regulated Profession

Licensing is rigorous, managed by individual states. Requires: accredited degree in landscape architecture, supervised work experience under a licensed LA, passing technical exams, thousands in fees. Many LAs hold licenses in multiple states. The rigor surprises people — but it’s essential for health, safety, and professional standards.

Our Work Is About More Than Good Looks

Houzz photos show beautiful landscapes — snapshots of moments within larger designs that grow/evolve. Dive deeper: multiple photos + design drawings reveal fundamentally great places to be — relax, party, barbecue, birdwatch.

We design for how people experience and use space (the “program”). Creating great experience is primary. We care not just how it looks and what’s planted, but how it feels to the user: intimate or vast? Cool/lush or hot/minimalist? These questions form the user experience and are fundamental to design.

We Are Designers, Not Gardeners

Common misconception: LAs build and maintain landscapes. We’d love more plant time, but reality: significant time at drawing table/computer designing/managing projects; remainder meeting clients, collaborating with professionals. We visit sites, are habitual nursery/garden visitors, but do not prune, transplant, mulch for our projects. Landscape contractors (separate licensing) install; gardeners/maintenance workers maintain. LAs often collaborate directly with contractors to ensure builds match design intent.

We Work With the Big Picture

Trained to think about landscapes as systems: water flow, watershed relationship, light/climate interplay — critical site context aspects. Example: residential landscape for 5-acre Louisiana property with watershed sensitivity. Landscapes don’t exist in vacuum; LA’s job is to design places fitting the big picture.

We Have Up-to-Date Technical Expertise

Beyond pretty plans: grading, drainage, materials, finishes, layout dimensions. “Design is in the details” — especially residential. Example: runnel meeting pool = finessed detail working with overall plan. Material integration, best practices, up-to-date techniques, unique site/client solutions — all play into technical details. Continuing education credits (state-required for licensure) keep us current.

Technical expertise extends beyond trends. Improved plant knowledge via continuing ed is a prime example: expert advice from research horticulturists on ever-changing plant status. New cultivars developed yearly in response to diseases. LAs stay current on horticultural issues and apply that knowledge.

Landscape Architects Are Sustainability Experts

We did sustainable work long before it was popular. Example: boardwalk across designed stormwater feature with lush plantings — recent ASLA design award winner. ASLA’s tongue-in-cheek “green since 1899” reflects long history of environmentally minded work. Not all LAs focus primarily on sustainability, but many best practices are driven by ecologically sound principles for vegetation, stormwater, materials, microclimate. Look for ASLA badge on Houzz to find licensed LAs.

We Have Many Design Approaches

Wide range of styles/expertise: artsy to technical, flamboyant to reserved. Example: funky metal fence designed by LA for custom fabrication. Ask candidates what landscapes/concepts inspire them — impacts what they create. Inspiration: wide-open prairie, deep woods calm, fine-art painting, textiles, historic Italian villas, formal modern lines. We draw from various influences to create something new.

Do You Need a Landscape Architect?

If unsure, just ask. LAs field questions from potential clients constantly. With many specialties, speak with a few about your project to find best fit. Some focus on small urban courtyards; others on vast agricultural estates. Whatever your property, there’s an LA for you.