Landscaping is an “earthy” form of art that combines creativity, horticultural knowledge, technical skill and relevant construction techniques to sculpt outdoor spaces into beautiful and efficient environments. This work is undertaken by a group of professionals known as Landscapers, whose primary role encompasses many different factors in creating gardens, and commercial and public open spaces which seemingly effortlessly combine aesthetic appeal and functional use. Their work covers a variety of settings, including residential properties, commercial developments, public parks and gardens, recreational spaces, and urban planning projects.
Landscapers are far more than “just gardeners”
Landscapers are more than just people who beautify and functionalise designated outdoor spaces. They are also specialists in horticulture and visionaries who can see past the existing area and transform it into true artistic and useful beauty through their knowledge of design and growth patterns within the biological world. Not only do they visualise the space as it will exist when they have completed their work, but they also have the skills to understand the future appearance of the same space, when shrubs and trees have matured and ground cover and plants have spread into bare areas of ground. They are also responsible for vertical planting designs, such as those incorporating trellises on bare walls, where their expertise will respect the growth habits of the climbers used to populate those trellises. Above all, they are keenly aware of environmental sustainability in their designs, which is where their horticultural knowledge is paramount.
The role of landscapers
Landscapers can tackle simple or more complex assignments, including garden layouts which include hardscapes such as the construction of patios, walls, retaining walls and built-in seating, walkways, arbours and archways, fish ponds and water features to planting trees, shrubs, climbers and flowers which are appropriate for the climate and lifestyles of their clients, and which seamlessly complement the surrounding areas. They are also tasked with the maintenance of certain outdoor spaces, adapting their planting designs if necessary, according to new usage, renovations and possible underperformance of existing planting choices due to extreme weather conditions or lack of adequate ground maintenance.
Clarity of understanding and vision are key
A landscaper must possess a clear understanding of the client’s vision – however nebulous this might be initially – the use of the outdoor space and the specific characteristics of the site. All sites differ in terms of topography, condition of the soil, climate and possibly immovable structures around which they must work their designs, such as historical structures, ancient trees, dams and streams, and large boulders which cannot be removed due to cost limitations. In such cases, the landscaper does not have the freedom to work from an ‘uncluttered’ outdoor space but has to create a design around elements which are already in place and cannot be moved.
The assignment doesn’t end when the design is implemented – there’s also maintenance
As part of ongoing maintenance requirements, landscapers have to be aware of the feeding and water needs of all elements of the garden planting. Since different plants require varying fertilizer and watering patterns, it is wise to plan accordingly, placing plants with similar requirements together for easier maintenance. In gardens which require frequent watering, landscapers may choose to install irrigation systems which ensure that water-loving areas of the garden are provided with their needs without the client having to physically get out the hosepipe and spend time watering every plant individually. Some people love this part of gardening, as it gives them the time to closely observe the garden for signs of pest infestation, caterpillars, fungal diseases and growth issues, which can then be addressed sooner rather than later. For those who are too busy or simply don’t have an interest in personally involving themselves in the routine aspects of gardening, landscapers may offer a garden maintenance service to do this for you. Garden maintenance may include regular applications of fertilizers or pesticides (whether organic or chemical), lawn mowing, and trimming of hedges, shrubs and lawn edges. An experienced and knowledgeable landscaper will advocate for more natural, organic fertilizers and pest control methods to reduce negative environmental impact.
Weed control is usually planned in the layout of the garden, where weed barriers are placed before planting begins. As a rule, landscapers do not undertake regular physical weeding of gardens, and this task is usually allocated to garden assistants.
The impact of landscapers in our lives is far-reaching
It is widely recognized that well-designed outdoor spaces can boost property values, enhance air and water quality, and create habitats for wildlife. In urban settings, these landscapes help mitigate the “heat island” effect, improve mental well-being, and offer spaces for community interaction.
Landscapers are probably more necessary to the quality of our lives than we give them credit for. In a fast-paced world where cities are expanding continuously, landscapers are vital additions in our lives, providing greenery and environmentally friendly outdoor spaces where we can tune in to nature, improve the quality of our air and reduce heat build-up in heavily built areas which are replacing our green spaces and constantly removing trees which improve our air quality and heat control. Well-planned urban areas include adequate “green spaces” in the form of aesthetically and environmentally friendly and sustainable public parks, shopping and commercial centres and housing complexes which include eco-friendly and sustainable outdoor surroundings. For this, we have to thank our landscapers and their highly specialised expertise and creativity.
