The planning and arrangement of plants, hardscape, and structures in a garden to create functional, aesthetically pleasing outdoor spaces suited to site conditions and user needs.
Landscape design is deliberate planning: what goes where and why. Good design considers sunlight, drainage, existing structures, traffic patterns, color, texture, and seasonal interest. It balances plants with hardscape, provides year-round visual interest, and solves problems (poor drainage, erosion, privacy). Design can be formal (structured, symmetrical) or informal (naturalistic, flowing).
A designed garden is more successful, beautiful, and functional than random plantings. Planning prevents mistakes like planting shade plants in full sun or trees too close to foundations.