Landscape design in the green industry: feeling "green"? Green, as in "environmentally conscious"? Then a career in landscape design may be just what the doctor ordered - Tech Connection

Career World, April-May, 2003 by Monika G. Vaccaro

"We are in the decade of the environment," says Philip G. Gibson, Ph.D., an instructor at Gwinnett Technical College in Georgia. Gibson, who has created more than 3,000 landscape plans, teaches courses as part of Gwinnett's environmental horticulture program. "Horticulturists are environmentalists. People are drawn to our programs because they want to be in what is called the 'green industry."'

Landscape designers design outdoor, and sometimes indoor, areas for both residential and commercial spaces. Designs always include horticulture (trees, flowers, and ornamental plants) but also may include fountains, walkways, fences, ponds, decks, and lighting.

"There are various types of designs," says Tom Delaney, executive vice president of the Professional Lawn Care Association of America (PLCAA). They' may be, used for anything from a small project "renovating a landscape with plants, to a medium project with payers and a wall, to a large project with fountains."

What the Customer Wants

A landscape designer must first meet with a customer to find out what he or she wants. A preliminary sketch will help the designer stay on the right track.

Meeting the customer's needs is one of the most critical components of designing a landscape. In fact, in design competitions sponsored by the Associated Landscape Contractors of America (ALCA), it is the most important criterion by which student designs are judged.

"It's what the customer wants and how you translate it," says Edward (Ted) Mitchell, owner of a landscaping and lawn maintenance business in New Jersey. "Some people have trouble envisioning things. You must interpret what they want. If you misinterpret something, then you don't get the job."

Looks Good--But Does It Work?

A landscape designer needs to know what looks good to the customer's eye, but must also know what works well in a particular environment. Mitchell says you must be able to advise the customer on what works in that geographical area and what doesn't work.

"There is a huge selection of plants. There are all different types of environments," he says. "Some homeowners who don't use a landscape designer may put trees in places where they actually become a nuisance, even though they may look beautiful at first," says Delaney. "There are challenges in different areas of the country, depending on the weather."

Maintenance and More

An important aspect of any landscape design is the amount of maintenance it will require once the design is installed. "A landscape designer will ask the customer how much maintenance they will want to do," says Delaney. "Having good designs to meet the customer's maintenance expectations is important."

Mitchell notes that success with a landscape design also means avoiding problems before they start. "You'd better be able to identify funguses, molds, and insects," he insists. "[This knowledge] is important to design. [Everything] is all so interrelated. The best landscaper knows what works in the area. It makes [for] a better designer."

Presentation Is Everything

Once the design is complete, it must be presented to the customer. There are now software programs that will "age" the design so that the customer can see what the landscape will look like in several years when the plantings are more mature.

Once approved, the project enters the "build" phase. The designer will typically oversee the landscape installation to ensure it is built according to the approved design.

Get Involved Early

You can get involved in landscape design early by looking into organizations such as a local 4-H club or Future Farmers of America (FFA), which promote student interest in agricultural careers. Taking classes in agriculture is also helpful.

"Students [in high school] should check to see it their school has a horticultural program," says Gibson. "Some high schools even have greenhouses."

Math courses are also useful to the landscape designer. "You have to take a survey and break [the site] into scale," says Mitchell. "You have to consider all elevations, like if you're building steps to a pool apron that's not there. You have to consider the pitches."

Field Work a Plus

By getting out in the field and doing landscape "build" and maintenance, you may work your way into a landscape design career--if you have the creative ability.

"Students out of high school may begin with landscape installation and maintenance and then get to design as part of that business," says Gibson.

"I've seen some of the best landscape design people come out of the field," says Charles Bowers, of Garden Gate Landscaping, Inc., in Maryland. He has hired students following a two-year program. "They have an inherent talent, a design ability."

Additional Education

In addition to learning by doing, there are programs at colleges, workshops, and certification programs that can help you enter the field.

"There is some sort of horticultural program with a design component at most two-year colleges," says Bowers.