Landscape Architect vs Garden Designer: What’s the Difference?

If you are planning a garden project, you may be wondering whether to appoint a landscape architect or a garden designer. The two professions overlap, but their typical training, areas of focus and project experience can differ.

Both can help plan outdoor spaces, including their layout, levels, materials, planting and relationship with the house. For a private garden, the right choice depends on what the project involves and the experience of the professional you are considering.

What does a garden designer do?

A garden designer plans gardens and residential outdoor spaces. Their work may bring together layout, planting, materials, levels and the way people use the garden.

A garden design project might consider:

• The position and size of terraces, paths and lawns

• How people will move through the garden

• Views, screening and privacy

• Trees and planting

• Changes in level, steps and walls

• Outdoor kitchens, pergolas and water features

• Lighting and the connection between the house and garden

The aim is to create an outdoor space that works practically and feels cohesive. You can read more about garden design and build and garden design for large gardens.

What does a landscape architect do?

Landscape architecture covers the planning, design and management of external environments. Landscape architects may work on public parks, housing developments, streets, commercial sites, infrastructure, estates and residential landscapes.

A project may involve landscape strategy, site planning, levels, movement, environmental considerations or coordination with architects, engineers and planners. Some landscape architects specialise in private gardens, where their work may overlap considerably with garden design.

Is a landscape architect the same as an architect?

No. A building architect primarily designs buildings. A landscape architect focuses on external environments and landscapes.

The professions may work together on a house, extension or development. Appointing an architect for a building does not necessarily mean that the detailed design of the garden has also been resolved.

Landscape architect vs garden designer: what is the difference?

The main distinction is usually the professional’s area of focus and the types of projects they have worked on.

Garden designers tend to specialise in gardens and residential landscapes. Landscape architects can work across a broader range of public, commercial, environmental and private landscape projects. There is overlap, and individual experience matters more than the job title alone.

When choosing someone for a private garden, ask: Have they completed projects like mine, and can they show me examples?

Quick comparison

A garden designer may focus on:

• Private gardens and residential landscapes

• Garden layout and outdoor living

• Planting design, trees and screening

• Materials, terraces and garden features

• The relationship between the house and garden

A landscape architect may work on:

• Public parks and public spaces

• Commercial sites and housing developments

• Urban design and infrastructure

• Landscape strategy and environmental projects

• Large private landscapes

These are typical areas of work, not strict boundaries. Check each professional’s portfolio and proposed service to understand what they can offer.

What qualifications should I look for?

Landscape architects may follow professional education and development routes through the Landscape Institute. Chartered Membership of the Landscape Institute, shown as CMLI, is one professional status; anyone for whom chartered status matters can check an individual’s credentials directly.

Garden designers can enter the profession through different education and experience routes. When assessing a garden designer, look at relevant experience, completed projects, planting knowledge, professional memberships and the scope of the service they provide.

Do I need a landscape architect for a private garden?

Not necessarily. An experienced garden designer may be well suited to a private garden redesign involving planting, terraces, trees, privacy, paths, lighting or outdoor living.

The scale of a garden alone does not determine which professional you need. A large private garden and a major public landscape may require different kinds of experience. Compare professionals by looking at the projects they have completed and the work they propose to do.

When might a landscape architect be appropriate?

A landscape architect may be a good fit when a project involves wider strategic, environmental, public or multidisciplinary landscape requirements. Larger developments may require coordination with several specialists.

For some projects, a garden designer or landscape architect may also recommend involving other professionals, such as an engineer. Ask who will provide any specialist design, calculations or advice the project needs.

Choosing someone for a country house or large garden

A substantial private property might include gardens, woodland, long views, drives, several buildings, mature trees and changes in level. Depending on the brief, it may need a garden designer, a landscape architect, other consultants, or a combination of expertise.

An experienced residential garden designer may be suitable for many large private gardens. See garden design for large gardens for more on designing at a larger scale.

What about planning permission?

Planning requirements depend on the property, proposed work and site conditions. Listed buildings, conservation areas, protected trees, significant structures and major engineering work may require additional checks or professional advice.

Discuss the site and proposed work with the appropriate professionals before construction begins. A professional title does not replace project-specific planning or technical advice.

Garden design for new builds, extensions and renovations

It can help to consider the garden while plans for a new home or building work are still developing. Early design input can bring together external levels, terraces, paths, drainage, planting and the relationship between the building and the garden.

For related projects, see garden design for new-build homes, garden design for new extensions and garden design for renovated properties.

Who designs the planting and hard landscaping?

This varies between practices. Planting design may consider soil, aspect, exposure, seasonal interest, structure, colour, texture and maintenance. Hard landscaping may include terraces, paths, steps, walls, raised beds and other structures.

Ask what drawings and details are included in the service, and how the design will be communicated to the people building the garden. You can find out more about planting design and garden drainage solutions.

Who builds the garden?

A garden designer or landscape architect does not necessarily carry out construction. Some practices provide design only and work with separate contractors; others offer design and build together.

Kirman Design provides a coordinated garden design and build service. If you are comparing design and construction roles, see garden designer and landscaper.

How do I compare professionals?

Before appointing a garden designer or landscape architect, consider asking:

• Have you worked on projects similar to mine?

• Can I see examples of completed projects?

• What is included in your service?

• Do you provide planting design and construction drawings?

• Who will consider levels and drainage?

• Who will build the garden?

• Will you be involved during construction?

• Will any other specialist consultants be needed?

• What professional memberships or relevant experience do you have?

The answers can help you understand how well each professional’s experience and service match your project.

How much does garden design cost?

Fees vary according to the project, its complexity, the drawings required and the scope of the service. It is more useful to compare what is included than to assume one profession will always cost more than the other.

Read how much garden design costs for more information about factors that can affect design fees.

Which professional is right for my garden?

For many private garden projects, an experienced garden designer with relevant residential work may be a suitable choice. A landscape architect may be appropriate where the project involves broader strategic, public or multidisciplinary requirements. Some projects may need additional specialist input.

Choose according to the work your garden needs, the professional’s relevant experience and the service they will provide.

Garden design across North West England

Kirman Design works on private gardens and residential landscapes across North West England, including projects for new homes, extensions, renovated properties and larger gardens. Explore garden design and build to see how design, construction and planting can be coordinated.

Frequently asked questions

Is a landscape architect the same as a garden designer?

No. Their work can overlap, but landscape architecture covers a wider range of external environments, while garden design focuses more specifically on gardens and residential landscapes.

Is a landscape architect the same as a landscaper?

No. A landscape architect generally plans and designs landscapes. A landscaper generally carries out construction work. Some businesses offer both design and construction services.

Do I need a landscape architect to redesign my garden?

Not necessarily. For many private gardens, an experienced garden designer with relevant project experience may be appropriate.

Can a garden designer design a large garden?

Yes. Look for experience with large private gardens and ask to see completed examples at a similar scale.

Can a garden designer work with my architect?

Yes. Bringing the garden designer into the process while building plans are being developed can help coordinate the house, external levels, views and garden layout.

Who designs the planting?

It depends on the practice and agreed service. Ask whether planting design is included and request examples of completed planting schemes.

Who builds the garden after it has been designed?

That depends on the service. The designer may work with an independent contractor, or the practice may offer design and construction together. Kirman Design’s garden design and build service brings those stages together.

Discuss your garden project with Kirman Design

If you are planning a private garden or residential landscape in North West England, contact Kirman Design to discuss the project.

Telephone: [01942 604976 (line 1942604976)](tel:01942604976)
Email: info@kirmandesign.com
Contact page: Contact Kirman Design