Red Seal Landscape Horticulturist Practice Exam

What is the primary function of a landscape architect?

1. To maintain gardens

2. To design and plan outdoor spaces

3. To manage plant diseases

4. To sell gardening supplies

The correct answer is: To design and plan outdoor spaces

The primary function of a landscape architect is to design and plan outdoor spaces. This role involves a comprehensive understanding of aesthetic principles, environmental sustainability, and functionality to create outdoor areas that are both beautiful and practical. Landscape architects take into consideration various factors such as topography, climate, and the needs of the community or clients. They may work on projects such as parks, gardens, commercial landscapes, and public spaces, combining creativity with technical skills to develop plans that enhance the natural and built environment. In contrast, maintaining gardens focuses on the upkeep of existing landscapes rather than their design, which distinguishes that role from that of a landscape architect. Managing plant diseases is a specialized area within horticulture that pertains to plant health rather than broader design and planning. Selling gardening supplies, while an important aspect of the horticulture industry, does not relate to the design and planning responsibilities that define a landscape architect's primary function.