There is a common misconception that Landscape Design and Landscape Architecture are one-in-the-same, when coming up with a landscaping project. While there are parts of Landscape Architecture that adhere to the specifications of Landscape Design, they are indeed two separate concepts.

Landscape Design, has much to do with the artistic design of the landscaping project. Choosing which plants, styles of materials, rocks, fountains, etc are all choices made when designing a landscape.

Landscape Architecture, takes into account all of the elements that went into the design; soils, drainage, climate, etc., and creates the landscaping project using the elements achieved in the Landscape Design process. There are many processes to Landscape Architecture, that go along with the Landscape Design process: Landscape Management, Landscape Engineering, Landscape Detailing, Landscape Urbanism, Landscape Assessment, and Landscape Planning.

Generally, Landscape Design is one process in the overall landscape project, known as Landscape Architecture. Sometimes, due to restrictions in licensing, Landscaping Professionals must call themselves “Landscape Designers“. This name is usually applied to smaller landscaping projects, while “Landscape Architecture” is used for large-scale landscaping projects.