What Is Landscaping: A Comprehensive Guide for 2025

When you picture landscaping, you might think of perfect gardens, tidy lawns, and well-placed trees. But in the world of professional design and construction, landscaping goes much further. Think of it as the art and science of modifying outdoor environments to make them functional, sustainable, and visually appealing — balancing engineering precision with creative design.

Whether shaping a suburban front yard, installing commercial hardscapes, or maintaining a city park, landscapers combine landscape design, horticulture, and construction to bring outdoor spaces to life.

This guide will cover:

• What landscaping means and how it works
• The types of landscaping and their purposes
• The phases of landscaping work: design, construction, and maintenance
• Key landscaping jobs, tools, and materials
• The environmental and economic benefits of landscaping

Learn how to start or grow your business in our How to Start a Landscaping Business guide.

What Is Landscaping?

At its core, it means altering the visible features of land (including terrain, plants, and built structures) to create outdoor areas that are practical and beautiful. A combination of softscape and hardscape work.

• Softscape involves living elements: grass, trees, flowers, shrubs, and soil.
• Hardscape includes structural features: patios, retaining walls, decks, walkways, and stone edging.

Construction

In construction projects, it refers to the final stage when a job site is transformed from raw soil into a finished, usable space. This can include grading (levelling the ground), installing sod, building hardscape features, and planting vegetation.

Landscaping is essential in new builds, commercial developments, and public spaces and essentially ties architecture and nature together.

Get Started with Invoice Fly’s Software

Invoice Fly is a smart, fast, and easy-to-use invoicing software designed for freelancers, contractors, and small business owners. Create and send invoices, track payments, and manage your business — all in one place.

Get Started Now

Modern Design

Today, landscaping also includes sustainability and ecological design. Modern landscape architecture incorporates drainage systems, renewable materials, and native plants to reduce water use and environmental impact.

For example, using landscape horticulture principles, designers choose plant species suited to the soil and climate, improving longevity and lowering maintenance costs.

The Different Types

Landscaping can be classified by its function, materials, or location. Below are the most common categories used in 2025.

Softscape vs. Hardscape

Softscape refers to living materials like plants, turf, and soil — elements that grow and change over time.

Hardscaping, uses fixed materials such as stone, wood, concrete, and pavers to define structure and accessibility.

Common features include:

• Driveways and walkways
• Retaining walls and garden borders
• Outdoor kitchens, decks, and fire pits
  

In short, what is hardscaping landscaping? It’s the backbone of most projects, giving shape to the design and ensuring durability.

What is Xeriscape Landscaping?

A sustainable design approach focused on low-water, drought-tolerant scaping. Originating in arid regions like Arizona and Nevada, xeriscaping uses gravel, rocks, and native plants that require minimal irrigation.

Benefits include:

• Reduced water bills and maintenance
• Lower fertiliser use
• Enhanced soil conservation

What Defines Commercial?

It’s the design and maintenance of outdoor spaces for businesses such as office buildings, retail centres, and hotels.

These projects emphasise curb appeal and brand image. Services include sod installation, irrigation, pruning, and seasonal clean-ups. Many commercial clients sign long-term contracts for consistent landscape maintenance.

These companies also manage snow removal, parking lot greenery, and sustainability upgrades like solar lighting and rain gardens.

Residential

This category focuses on private homes, from front yard makeovers to backyard remodels. Homeowners might ask what is a landscaping job? It typically includes lawn care, edging, grading, and gardening services.

Modern residential designs blend softscape plantings with functional hardscape features like patios and garden paths.

What Is Interior Landscaping?

It brings nature indoors; installing living walls, potted trees, or greenery in malls, hotels, and office buildings. These projects improve air quality and aesthetics, using the horticulture principles mentioned above to select low-light, low-maintenance plants.

What The Job Involves

A craft process that unfolds in three major phases: design, construction, and maintenance. Each requires distinct expertise and tools.

1. Design Phase

This stage begins with a site plan, a scaled drawing that maps all elements: plant beds, patios, lighting, and irrigation systems.

Professionals such as a designer or architect handle this phase.

• Designers focus on aesthetics, materials, and layouts.
• Architects are licensed professionals who manage large, complex projects like parks or public spaces.

Designers use 3D software and drone surveys to analyse terrain, drainage, and sunlight. They apply the principles of architecture to balance function with form.

2. Construction Phase

This is the physical implementation phase of the plan. Crews handle excavation, grading, and installation of both soft and hard materials.

Common construction tasks include:

• Edging: creating clean borders between lawns, gardens, and hard surfaces. It helps contain mulch, define paths, and prevent overgrowth.
• Grading: adjusting land elevation for drainage and stability. It ensures rainwater flows away from structures.
• DG installation: DG stands for decomposed granite, a fine gravel used in walkways and patios for its natural look and permeability.
• Sod installation: It’s pre-grown grass rolled out to establish an instant lawn.
• Hardscape features: fire pits, retaining walls, and patios built from stone, brick, or concrete.

Contractors coordinate multiple trades during this phase (masonry, irrigation, and lighting) ensuring the finished project meets the site plan specifications.

3. Maintenance Phase

After construction, every project needs regular care to stay healthy and appealing.

What is landscape maintenance? It’s the ongoing work of mowing, pruning, fertilising, and repairing outdoor systems.

Key activities include:

• Lawn mowing and edging
• Tree trimming and pest control
• Irrigation inspection and repair
• Soil testing and fertilisation
• Spring cleanup to remove winter debris

Experts monitor plant growth, soil nutrition, and seasonal changes to keep them thriving.

Simplify project management and recurring billing with Invoice Fly’s Invoicing Software — built for landscapers and contractors.

Jobs and Roles

The industry employs a range of professionals, each with unique skills and responsibilities.

What Is A Landscaper?

This refers to the front-line professionals who perform installations and maintenance like mowing, planting, trimming, and soil work.

What Is A Designer?

Designers plan layouts, choose materials, and present clients with visual renderings. They often work with contractors to ensure designs are practical for the climate and budget.

What Is An Architect?

Licensed and trained in landscape construction and environmental planning, they handle large commercial or municipal projects, ensuring compliance with safety and zoning codes.

Specialised Roles

• Irrigation technicians design and maintain watering systems.
• Lighting installers handle outdoor and architectural illumination.
• Masonry contractors build walls, stone features, and hardscapes.
• Maintenance supervisors coordinate seasonal crews.a

Want to expand your skills? Read How to Get Your License and our Salary Guide.

Tools and Equipment Used in Landscaping

Professional landscaping combines hand tools, power tools, and heavy machinery.

Basic Hand Tools

• Shovels, spades, and rakes for digging and soil shaping
• Pruners and hedge shears for plant care
• Measuring tapes and levels for layout accuracy

Power Equipment

• Lawnmowers and trimmers for turf care
• Tillers and aerators for soil preparation
• Chainsaws for pruning large trees
• Compact loaders for moving soil and stone

Hardscape & Construction Tools

• Concrete mixers, compactors, and masonry saws
• Edgers for shaping hardscape borders
• Wheelbarrows and safety equipment

Explore more in our guide on Best Landscaping Tools.

Benefits of Landscaping

Environmental Benefits

• Erosion control: Proper grading prevents runoff and soil loss.
• Air quality improvement: Plants and trees absorb carbon dioxide.
• Sustainability: Techniques like xeriscape landscaping conserve water and protect biodiversity.
• Temperature regulation: Shaded areas lower ambient heat in urban zones.

Economic Benefits

• Professionally landscaped properties increase in value by 10–15%.
• Businesses attract more customers with maintained commercial landscaping.
• Homeowners save money through efficient irrigation and sod selection.

Social and Lifestyle Benefits

• Outdoor spaces improve mood, productivity, and community engagement.
• Landscapes with fire pits, patios, and gardens encourage family gatherings.
• Public parks enhance recreation and well-being.

For small business owners, see Landscaping SEO to attract more local clients online.

Common Challenges in Landscaping

Like any trade, landscaping has its hurdles:

• Weather dependence: Rain and frost delay work.
• Labour shortages: Skilled workers for hardscape construction are in demand.
• Maintenance costs: Equipment and fuel can reduce profit margins.
• Client education: Customers often underestimate time needed for plant growth or maintenance.

Smart tools like Invoice Fly’s Invoicing Software help landscapers organise quotes, track materials, and manage payments efficiently.

Get Started Today

Landscaping blends art, architecture, and environmental science into one craft. From sustainable xeriscape in desert climates to intricate hardscape patios in suburban homes, the field continues to evolve with technology and climate awareness.

Whether you’re an aspiring designer, a seasoned industry veteran, or a business owner expanding into commercials, understanding these fundamentals sets you up for success.

Create professional estimates and invoices with the Free Invoice Generator — made for landscapers who want to get organised, stay profitable, and grow their business.

Get Started with Invoice Fly’s Software

Invoice Fly is a smart, fast, and easy-to-use invoicing software designed for freelancers, contractors, and small business owners. Create and send invoices, track payments, and manage your business — all in one place.

Get Started Now