Introduction To Ornamental Horticulture and The Landscape Industry

Study Guide
Introduction to
Ornamental
Horticulture and the
Landscape Industry
By
Matthew Brooks
About the Author

Matthew Brooks received his bachelor of landscape architecture
degree from the University of Illinois and his masters in landscape
architecture from the University of Minnesota. He spent several
years working in the Chicago area in landscape design, sales, and
project management of commercial, institutional, and residential
scale projects. He is a member of the faculty at Dakota County
Technical College, where he teaches courses in landscape design,
computer-aided design (CAD), and woody plant identification. He
is president of Brooks Design Group, Inc., a landscape design and
construction services consulting company. His work has appeared
in Better Homes and Gardens, Northern Gardener, and, most recently,
at the University of Minnesota Landscape Arboretum. He is a
member of the American Society of Landscape Architects and the
Minnesota Nursery and Landscape Association, where he sits on
the Environmental Concerns Committee.
All terms mentioned in this text that are known to be trademarks or service
marks have been appropriately capitalized. Use of a term in this text should not be
regarded as affecting the validity of any trademark or service mark.
Copyright 2012 by Penn Foster, Inc.

All rights reserved. No part of the material protected by this copyright may be
reproduced or utilized in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical,
including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval
system, without permission in writing from the copyright owner.
Requests for permission to make copies of any part of the work should be
mailed to Copyright Permissions, Penn Foster, 925 Oak Street, Scranton,
Pennsylvania 18515.
Printed in the United States of America
06/07/2013
LESSON ASSIGNMENTS
LESSON 1: THE CRAFTS OF ORNAMENTAL

HORTICULTURE
LESSON 2: THE PROFESSIONS OF ORNAMENTAL

HORTICULTURE
21
LESSON 3: THE SHIFT TO SUSTAINABLE

LANDSCAPES
41
RESEARCH PROJECT
55
SELF-CHECK ANSWERS
61
Contents
INSTRUCTIONS TO STUDENTS
iii
INTRODUCTION
The primary focus of the landscape technology program is

on planning, installing, and maintaining gardens and landscapes. However, a fundamental understanding of the other
trades that fall within the larger sphere of ornamental horticulture is vital to your career exploration and long-term
success in the landscape business. The boundaries between
the specialties of ornamental horticulture are often blurred.
To be familiar with each of these specialty areas will be an
advantage as you develop professional relationships in the
industry.
This course is divided into three lessons and 15 assignments.
Each assignment generally corresponds to a chapter in one of
your textbooks. At the end of each assignment, youll take a
self-check, the answers of which are located at the back of
this study guide. At the end of each of the three lessons, you
must complete a multiple-choice examination. Youre also
required to complete a final project.
OBJECTIVES
When you complete this course, youll be able to
Discuss historical aspects of ornamental horticulture

and garden design and the influences that have shaped
the gardens of the United States
Instructions
The landscape industry is just one of many specialty trades

that make up the larger and more diverse field of ornamental
horticulture. In addition to the landscape industry, which
encompasses the design, installation, and maintenance of
landscapes and gardens, the field of ornamental horticulture
includes the growers who supply the landscape and floral
trades, the researchers who breed new varieties of plants,
and the wholesale and retail operators who connect products
of the trade to its customers. The ornamental horticulture
industry values plants for their role in creating a more beautiful world, unlike the agriculture industry, which sees plants
as a source of food, fiber, building materials, and biomass for
the production of alternative fuels.
Identify the individual crafts that make up the broader

field of ornamental horticulture
Describe the opportunities for employment in the

professions of ornamental horticulture
Identify the qualifications for employment in each area

of ornamental horticulture
Discuss the psychological and physical abilities required

for a successful career in ornamental horticulture
Describe the relationships among the professions of

ornamental horticulture
Explain reasons for the growing interest and demand

in sustainable landscapes
Identify the key concepts and benefits of sustainable

landscapes
Discuss business opportunities in sustainable landscapes
COURSE MATERIALS
This course includes the following materials:
1. This study guide, which contains an introduction to your
course, plus
A lesson assignments page with a schedule of study

assignments
Introductions to lessons and assignments, which

emphasize the main points in the textbook
Self-checks and answers to help you assess your

understanding of the material
A research project that youll complete and submit

at the end of the course
2. Your course textbooks, Ornamental Horticulture: Science,

Operations, & Management and How to Start a HomeBased Landscaping Business, which contain the
assigned reading materials
Instructions to Students
YOUR TEXTBOOKS
Your textbooks, Ornamental Horticulture: Science, Operations,
& Management and How to Start a Home-Based Landscaping
Business, contain the study materials on which your self-checks
and examinations are based. You should become familiar with
your textbooks prior to beginning your studies by skimming
through the contents pages of each book. The contents pages
will give you a preview of the chapters in each textbook, as
well as a list of topics specific to each chapter. Please note
that there are several chapters in your textbooks that wont
be included in the assigned readings for this study guide.
However, youll need to keep these textbooks, since the
unreferenced chapters will be included in the assigned
readings for later study guides.
Each chapter in your textbook Ornamental Horticulture:
Science, Operations, & Management begins with a list of
objectives and key terms. Be sure to read the objectives
before you begin your studies to prepare for what youll
be learning. While reading, pay particular attention to the
key terms that are highlighted in bold type throughout
the chapter.
At the back of the book, youll find Appendices A and B, which
contain useful information that includes a list of professional
trade organizations and selected readings for further studies
in ornamental horticulture. Theres also a glossary of all the
key terms listed in your book, which may be useful when
reviewing for exams.
At the end of How to Start a Home-Based Landscaping
Business, youll find Appendix 1, which contains a complete
listing of resources, including professional associations, trade
magazines, periodicals, and suggestions for further reading.
Appendix 2 lists additional Web-based resources useful for
further study in your landscaping career.
A STUDY PLAN
The following is the recommended procedure for successfully
completing this course while receiving the maximum benefit
from your studies.
1. Read the introduction to each assignment and note your
assigned readings in both the study guide and textbook.
2. Read the chapter objectives at the beginning of assigned
textbook readings; then read the materials for a general
understanding of subject matter.
3. Go back and reread assigned materials, highlighting or
underlining key concepts and passages to help you
remember essential information.
4. When you feel you understand the material, take the
self-check at the end of the lesson. Compare your answers
with those given at the end of this study guide. If you
gave an incorrect answer to any of the self-check questions, go back and review the assigned materials until
you have a thorough understanding.
5. After completing all the self-check questions for that
particular lesson, you may take the examination.
6. Repeat this procedure for each lesson in the study guide.
7. Following the last examination, youll complete the final
project described at the end of this study guide.
Please feel free to e-mail your instructor for assistance at any
point during your studies. Youre now ready to begin. Good
luck!
Remember to regularly check My Courses on your student homepage.

Your instructor may post additional resources that you can access to
enhance your learning experience.
Lesson 1: The Crafts of Ornamental Horticulture

Read in the
study guide:
Read in
the textbook:
Assignment 1
Pages 89
Ingels, Foreword,
pages xviixxiii and
Chapter 9, pages 199201
Assignment 2
Pages 1112
Ingels, Chapter 7,
pages 142173
Assignment 3
Pages 1213
Ingels, Chapter 8,
pages 176196
Assignment 4
Pages 1416
Ingels, Chapter 9,
pages 201269
Assignment 5
Pages 1618
Ingels, Chapter 10,

pages 271295
Assignment 6
Pages 1920
Ingels, Chapter 11,

pages 297320
Examination 102809
Material in Lesson 1
Lesson 2: The Professions of Ornamental Horticulture

For:
Read in the
study guide:
Read in
the textbook:
Assignment 7
Pages 2223
Ingels, Chapter 15,

pages 408410
Assignment 8
Pages 2425
Ingels, Chapter 15,

pages 410417
Assignment 9
Pages 2728
Ingels, Chapter 16,

pages 419426
Assignment 10
Pages 2934
Ingels, Chapter 17,

pages 428435
Assignment 11
Pages 3536
Dell, Introduction,
pages viiix and Chapter 1,
pages 117
Assignment 12
Pages 3738
Ingels, Chapter 18,

pages 436444
Examination 102810
Assignments
For:
Lesson 3: The Shift to Sustainable Landscapes

For:
Read in the
study guide:
Read in
the textbook:
Assignment 13
Pages 4248
No textbook reading
Assignment 14
Pages 5051
Dell, pages 153161
Assignment 15
Pages 5253
No textbook reading
Examination 102811
Research Project
10281200
Note: To access and complete any of the examinations for this study
guide, click on the appropriate Take Exam icon on your My Courses
page. You should not have to enter the examination numbers. These
numbers are for reference only if you have reason to contact Student
Services.
Lesson Assignments
INTRODUCTION
The purpose of Lesson 1 is to present a brief history of
ornamental horticulture and to introduce you to the many
specialized crafts in todays larger field of ornamental horticulture. Anybody seeking a career in this industry should be
aware of the many areas of specialization within the broad
field of ornamental horticulture. For presentation purposes,
your textbook treats the crafts of ornamental horticulture
individually; however, its not uncommon for a landscape
professional to incorporate some aspect of each craft into
the business during the span of his or her career.
In your first assignment, youll acquire a historical perspective
of human interaction with plants and the desire to manipulate
the natural world to better suit human needs and desires.
Your second assignment will focus on the craft of using flowers
to create floral designs and seasonal decorations. Assignment 3
covers the use of plants inside the protected environment of
buildings. Assignment 4 introduces designing outdoor environments using plants and other landscape materials, while
Assignment 5 covers installing the plants used in gardens
and designed landscapes. Finally, Assignment 6 introduces
you to the craft of maintaining landscape plantings. The
three remaining chapters in this section of your book will be
covered in future study guides.
OBJECTIVES
When you complete this lesson, youll be able to
Describe the differences in garden styles among cultures

from around the world
Identify pivotal points in the advancement of ornamental

horticulture in the United States
Lesson 1
The Crafts of Ornamental

Horticulture
Describe the materials and design principles used in the

craft of floral design
Explain the challenges of using plants in interior

environments
Discuss historical influences on the craft of landscape

design as practiced today
Explain the process and objectives of contemporary

landscape design
Identify the procedures and tools used in the craft of

installing of landscape plants
Describe the issues and procedures encountered in the

craft of maintaining landscape plants
ASSIGNMENT 1: A BRIEF
HISTORY OF ORNAMENTAL
HORTICULTURE
Read the following material. Then read the Foreword,
pages xviixxiii, and pages 199201 of Chapter 9 in your textbook, Ornamental Horticulture.
Why study history? Whats the point of reading about people

and events that took place a long time ago when you already
have so much to learn about your new career in the landscape
industry? The simple answer to this question is that it helps
you to understand how and why things got to where they are
today. Prior to the in-depth study of any subject, a look at its
history allows you to appreciate the present, while explaining
the factors that shaped it over time. This is especially true in
the United States, because the history of the country is so
short compared to that of the rest of the world. What we
know about gardens and landscapes, weve borrowed from
the Italian villa gardens built during the Roman Empire, the
Zen gardens of the Far East, the Moorish gardens of Spain,
Introduction to Ornamental Horticulture and the Landscape Industry
and other influences that can be seen in the variety of garden

styles throughout North America today. Just like other aspects
of the society, its gardens and landscapes are a melting pot
of ideas and styles from around the world that weve adapted
to our culture, our lifestyles, and the diverse geographic and
climatic regions of the country.
The readings for this assignment provide a glimpse into the
evolution of peoples relationships with plants and the ways in
which theyve manipulated the landscape throughout history.
While this brief introduction barely scratches the surface of
this fascinating history, many books have been written on
the subject, if youd like to continue to study on your own. A
more convenient and less time-consuming option is through
Internet resources such as Wikipedia.
Lesson 1
Self-Check 1
At the end of each section of Introduction to Ornamental Horticulture and the Landscape
Industry, youll be asked to pause and check your understanding of what youve just read
by completing a Self-Check exercise. Answering these questions will help you review
what youve studied so far. Please complete Self-Check 1 now.
Questions 110: Match the term on the left with the correct description on the right.
Indicate your answer in the space provided.
______
1. Egyptians
a. Thomas Jeffersons country estate
______
2. Andre LeNotre
b. Environmental advocate and author of the book Silent

Spring, first published in 1962
______
3. Gardens of the Orient
______
4. Fredrick Law Olmsted
______
5. English Naturalism
d. Designed to feature plants and other elements of the

natural world that provoked intellectual thought
______
6. Moorish gardens
e. Master of the French formal garden style
______
7. Monticello
f.
______
8. Rachel Carson
______
9. Lawnmower
c. Earliest civilization to cultivate plants for aesthetic purposes
Prior to this invention, scythes or grazing animals were

used to control the height of turf
g. The father of landscape architecture in America
______ 10. Ancient Rome
h. Rejected the formal garden style of France in favor of a

more naturalistic landscape style
i.
Built gracious villas at the center of large farms, incorporating expansive gardens as an extension of the villa
j. Walled and paved garden style that incorporated water

features for their psychologically cooling effect, influences
of which are still seen in the Southwestern United States
Check your answers with those on page 61.
10
ASSIGNMENT 2: FLORAL DESIGN

Read the following material. Then read Chapter 7 in your textbook, Ornamental Horticulture.
Throughout history, flowers have had an essential place in

society and daily life. Men and women wore crowns adorned
with flowers in ancient Athens, the Romans sprinkled rose
petals in the streets during public games, and during the
1635 Tulipmania in Holland, the Dutch were so obsessed
with the tulip that one single bulb was sold for its weight in
gold. Still today, flowers bring joy into our lives and play an
integral role in comforting someone who has suffered a loss
or celebrating milestones such as birthdays, weddings,
Valentines Day, and Mothers Day.
Those skilled in the arrangement of flowers, foliage plants,
and other decorations used to create beautiful floral displays
are practicing the craft of floral design. Floral design (in the
traditional sense of wedding flowers and prom corsages) is
perhaps the most removed of the services a landscape business
might offer their clients. However, many landscape companies do provide services that incorporate the same design
principles and materials used in the creation of floral displays.
The main difference is that theyre used outside, rather than
inside the home. For this reason, an in-depth discussion on
the craft of floral design is included here.
The most common specialty service provided by landscape
professionals is designing and planting containerized seasonal
floral displays. While containerized plantings are ideal for
adding a splash of color to the garden or landscape, they also
can be very profitable for the landscape professional by
extending the landscape season. In late spring, many companies begin designing and planting decorative pots and window
boxes with annual flowers and other foliage plants to provide
summer-long color for their clients. As summer wanes and
the weather cools, these same containers can be exchanged
for a colorful display of fall chrysanthemums or other hardy
plants that can survive a light frost, providing color through
late autumn.
Lesson 1
11
With the onset of winter, an additional opportunity presents

itself in the creation of winter and holiday displays. These
might include swags of winter greens and bows hung over the
front door, decorative pots and window boxes filled with winter greens, colorful twigs and fruit, and lighting displays, all
of which brighten up the winter landscape and contribute to
holiday celebrations. Many high-end customers also employ
landscape professionals to decorate the interiors of their
homes with garland, wreaths, and even the Christmas tree.
For a look at landscape businesses that provide some of
these services, simply do an Internet search using terms
such as seasonal planting displays.
Self-Check 2
Answer chapter review questions A1, B5, and C1C6, starting on page 173 in your textbook.
ASSIGNMENT 3: THE INTERIOR

USE OF PLANTS
Using containerized plants in our homes, offices, and other

indoor environments isnt unique to modern society. Indoor
plants have a long history, as evidenced by ancient Chinese
artifacts and Egyptian tomb paintings. The palaces of European
nobility were often embellished with exotic ornamental plants
brought back by plant explorers. In sixteenth-century France,
King Louis XIVs Palace at Versailles housed thousands of
orange trees in a large glassed building called the Orangerie.
12
The trees, which spent the warmer months of the year gracing
the terraces surrounding the palace, were moved into the
Orangerie for protection from the winter cold. During Englands
Victorian era, the glass-and-metal greenhouse evolved into
the conservatory, a status symbol in affluent households and
the precursor to our modern-day, plant-filled sunroom. Today,
the African violets on the kitchen windowsill and the Boston
fern in the front hallway satisfy many apartment dwellers
desire to include plants in the home environment. Theyre
considered an essential element in corporate offices, shopping
centers, hospitals, and other public buildings. By incorporating plants into the indoor environment, we can create more
attractive and calming surroundings, while at the same time
reaping other benefits, such as the following.
Plants can increase employee productivity and morale.
Realizing that interior plants are a natural and vital part of a
productive workplace environment, many Fortune 500 companies have landscaped their office interiors or incorporated
large, plant-filled atriums into their building designs to boost
employee morale and productivity.
Plants can improve indoor air quality. As homes and
other buildings have been built to be increasingly energy
efficient, completely sealing off the interiors to outside air,
levels of indoor air pollution and mold have increased significantly. Many building materials containing chemicals such as
formaldehyde, benzene, and trichloroethylene, which permeate
the air. Resulting illnesses range from fatigue and minor
headaches to cancer and the sick building syndrome. In
NASA studies, certain species of indoor plants have been
credited with improving indoor air quality by filtering and
absorbing airborne toxins.
Plants can offer significant financial benefits. In
challenging financial times and in an era of higher rates of
vacancy, plants can distinguish a building as more aesthetically pleasing and of higher quality, which results in higher
rental rates. Additionally, plants can help regulate indoor
humidity levels, reducing a building owners heating and
cooling costs.
Lesson 1
13
Self-Check 3
Answer chapter review questions A1A9, B1B9, starting on page 196 in your textbook.
ASSIGNMENT 4: LANDSCAPE
DESIGN
Landscape design is an art, a science, and a process that dates

back to the gardens of the ancient Egyptians, if not earlier.
Throughout history, gardens were a source of food and medicine, a place for recreation and personal enrichment, and,
on a grander scale, a display of status, power, and mans
dominance over nature. While the gardens and designed
landscapes of modern society still serve many of the same
purposes, theyre more often a reflection of our desire for a
place in which to relax after a long days work or to create
attractive outdoor space that presents an image of well-being
to the general public.
Since the postWorld War II housing boom in the United
States, the tightly clipped trees and shrubs and the wellmanicured lawn around the house was the standard by
which people judged a landscape. More recently, however,
gardens are likely to be an expression of our respect for
natures perfection. Were beginning to see the wisdom of
natures ways as we more fully understand the environmental
consequences of a heavy-handed approach to landscaping
our homes and office buildings. As a result, landscapes are
less consumptive and damaging to the environment.
Additionally, a heightened interest in eating healthful,
14
pesticide-free food and the prospect of rising food costs has

led to a renewed interest in the productive capacities of our
gardens and landscapes.
As societal values and tastes change, so does our approach to
designing the landscape. However, its important to remember
that every garden should be designed to meet the unique
needs and desires of its owner. The client and the landscape
designer work together to set priorities and establish a design
program prior to beginning any landscape plan, to ensure it
meets the lifestyle and budget of the client. Landscape
designers must listen closely to clients, drawing up a list of
needs, desires, and priorities that will guide them to a useable, enjoyable, and affordable landscape design.
In addition to developing a landscape plan that meets the
multiple needs of its user, the designer must be sensitive to the
opportunities and constraints unique to each site. A thorough
understanding of the natural processes inherent in each site
will inform the designer and guide him or her to create a
design that will both satisfy the customers needs and be
appropriate to the site and its long-term sustainability. You
must read each sites natural features, such as topography,
hydrology, microclimates, and existing vegetation and
acknowledge the human influences. Existing structures,
local zoning codes and ordinances, and how you handle the
view of the neighbors unsightly side yard are critical to a
successful plan.
The creative aspects of landscape design follow many of the
same design principles central to other art forms, such as
architecture, graphic arts, and sculpture. While some students
of landscape design have an innate sense of these design
principles, many become skilled at their application in the
design process through study and practice. Either way, a
thorough understanding of the design principles used in
landscape design allows you to satisfy the needs of your
client in an aesthetically pleasing manner.
While the use of living plants is an enjoyable aspect of garden
design, it does present certain challenges in the use of design
principles. Thats because significant changes take place over
time and through the seasonsplants and trees grow taller
and fuller, bulbs propagate, and foliage changes color and
Lesson 1
15
drops to the ground. For this reason, you need not only a
thorough knowledge of a plants visual characteristics the day
its planted, but also how it will look in other seasons and
after five, 10, or 20 years of growth. You also need to understand its requirements for long-term health.
To communicate design ideas to others, youll use a combination of verbal, written, and graphic communications. As in
any other discipline, youll develop a vocabulary unique to
the profession and integral to communicating design ideas.
This new vocabulary includes symbols used in the graphic
representation of design ideas and garden plans that enable
clients and contractors to understand the designers intent.
Whether drawn by hand with pencil on paper or generated
through a computer program, the landscape plan and other
supporting graphics are vital to the accurate communication
of design ideas and the successful execution of the plan.
Self-Check 4
Answer chapter review questions A1 and A3 on page 269 in your textbook.
ASSIGNMENT 5: INSTALLING
LANDSCAPE PLANTS
Read the following material. Then read Chapter 10 in your
textbook, Ornamental Horticulture. When you feel youve mastered the material in this assignment, complete Self-Check 5.
The best-laid landscape plan never will be realized without

quality plant materials and state-of-the-art installation
techniques. This critical link between a beautifully drawn
landscape plan and the long-term realization of that plan is
16
where the landscape contractor comes into play. The

landscape contractor is responsible for providing the necessary materials, labor, tools, and equipment required to bring
the landscape designers plan to life. While the bulk of the
work performed by most landscape contractors involves the
installation of plant materials, many also provide for the
installation of hardscape elements, such as paver patios and
retaining walls. Still others may specialize in niche areas, like
ponds and waterfalls. This assignment will focus on the craft
of plant installation, saving the discussion on hardscape
elements for future lessons.
Quality plants are grown and cared for according to ANLA
(American Nursery and Landscape Association) industry
standards, allowing them to reach their full potential once
planted in the landscape. Where plants are grown can
directly affect their long-term success. Locally grown plant
materials are preferred over those that have been shipped long
distances, as these plants are better acclimated to local
growing conditions and avoid the stress placed on them as
a result of long-distance shipping. Purchasing plants from
local growers also makes sense in a time of ever-increasing
shipping costs and the consolidation of the nursery industry,
which can lead to fewer and less appropriate plant choices.
The long-term survival of any plant is jeopardized by mishandling or improper planting techniques. Thats why training
in the most up-to-date planting techniques is critical to the
sustainability of any landscape project. To properly install
plants, the landscape contractor needs know the ways in
which plants are harvested and sold, and the particular
planting techniques appropriate for each. Additionally, differences in plant size and overall weight determine the type of
tools and equipment required for proper handling and planting. Familiarity with tools and equipment and their proper
use enables the landscape contractor to safely and efficiently
install plants, while saving wear and tear on the body.
The proper installation of plants also depends upon preparing the planting site. Soil amendments should be made to
sustain the plantings once the landscape contractor has left
the site. On new-construction sites, its not uncommon for
soil to be damaged by intensive regrading of the site,
Lesson 1
17
compaction of soils by heavy equipment and vehicles, and

careless dumping of leftover building materials, many of
which can be toxic to plants. While often ignored, failure to
remedy substandard planting conditions leads to poor plant
performance and the possibility of expensive plant replacements in the future.
Following the actual installation of plant materials, its common
practice to include either a decorative or protective layer of
mulch over the planted areas. The type of mulch used may
be based on aesthetics and the design intent, local availability
of materials, and cost. Either way, in addition to giving the
new plantings that finishing touch, mulch helps preserve
water and suppress the growth of uninvited weeds. Newly
planted trees may be protected from toppling in strong winds
by staking or guying, while trunk wraps provide protection
from animal damage and possible frost cracking in colder
climates.
In the end, the success of any landscape design rests squarely
on the shoulders of the landscape contractor. If the contractor
completes work hastily or is motivated only by profits, new
plantings will suffer or fail. Through diligence and pride in
the craft of installing landscape plants, the landscape contractor brings life to dreams and assures a more beautiful
and healthy future for us all.
Note that Tables 9-2 through 9-6 in your textbook list a variety
of plantings, including trees, shrubs, vines, and selected
Southwestern plants that suit the unique climate of that area.
Self-Check 5
Answer questions A3 and A6 in the Achievement Review at the end of Chapter 10.
18
ASSIGNMENT 6: MAINTAINING
LANDSCAPE PLANTS
textbook, Ornamental Horticulture. When you feel youve mastered the material in this assignment, answer the questions in
Self-Check 6.
Imagine what would have happened if on your fifth birthday

you were sent out into the world to fend for yourself. Or
imagine what would happen to your new car if you never
washed it, never rotated the tires, and never changed the oil.
In time, you and your car would be in pretty bad shape.
Gardens and landscape plantings also need nurturing and
maintenance if theyre to survive. Theres an art of maintaining landscape plants.
The art of maintaining landscape plants is the last, but perhaps
most crucial, step in the process of creating gardens and landscapes that fulfill the designers intent and meet the needs of
its owner well into the future. Like the parents role in raising
a child or the mechanic s job in keeping your car running
smoothly, the landscape maintenance professionals knowledge
and care is vital to the long-term success of any garden or
designed landscape. While many homeowners are capable of
maintaining their own yards and benefit from the enjoyment
and satisfaction it brings, others dont have the time, knowledge, or inclination to carry out this kind of work. Thats
where the landscape maintenance professional comes in.
The art of maintaining landscapes involves proper watering,
pruning, fertilization, and pest control, in addition to reedging and mulching planting beds. Other maintenance
activities may include changing out seasonal plantings and
protecting plants from winter injury. To carry out these
tasks, the maintenance professional must be knowledgeable
about the plants growth requirements, potential diseases,
and pests and must keep an eye out for possible problems.
A basic understanding of design fundamentals is also beneficial if the maintenance person is involved in planting seasonal
flower displays and pruning and shaping trees and shrubs.
Lesson 1
19
A key factor in maintaining the overall landscape is lawn

care. The mowing, fertilization, and control of diseases and
pests maintain a healthy and attractive turf. Your textbook
treats the establishment and maintenance of lawns and turf
as a separate craft of ornamental horticulture, which will be
covered in a future lesson, along with special pruning techniques and plant propagation techniques. However, many
landscape professionals in the maintenance end of the
business provide both plant and turf services.
When youve completed Self-Check 6, review all the reading
for Lesson 1. When youre sure youve mastered all the material, take your Lesson 1 examination.
Self-Check 6
Answer Achievement Review questions A1-A4 and B2 on pages 320321 in your textbook.
20
In this lesson, youll learn about the professions and career

opportunities within the field of ornamental horticulture. As
with many other industries, youll find that there are opportunities for people with varying interests, levels of education,
and professional experience. Assignment 7 explains the
division of labor within all the professions of ornamental
horticulture. Assignment 8 addresses the professions of
floriculture and the different types of nurseries and the
career opportunities unique to each. Assignment 9 covers
career opportunities within the landscape industry, including
landscape designer, landscape contractor, landscape gardener,
maintenance supervisor, and landscape nurseryman.
Assignment 10 presents nontraditional careers available
to those with an interest in ornamental horticulture.
OBJECTIVES
Discuss the categories of employment in ornamental

horticulture
Describe the floriculture profession
Explain the types of nurseries within the nursery

industry
Describe the professions within the landscape industry
Identify the personal traits required to be successful as

a landscape business owner
Describe the specialized and nontraditional careers

available in ornamental horticulture
Identify the educational requirements necessary for

specific careers in ornamental horticulture
Explain the interaction and collaboration among the

professions of ornamental horticulture
Lesson 2
The Professions of
Ornamental Horticulture
21
ASSIGNMENT 7: THE
DIVISION OF LABOR IN
THE PROFESSIONS OF
ORNAMENTAL HORTICULTURE
Read the following material. Then read pages 408410 in
Chapter 15 in your textbook, Ornamental Horticulture. When
you feel youve mastered the material in this assignment,
answer the questions in Self-Check 7.
One of the wonderful things about the field of ornamental

horticulture is that there are career opportunities available to
all individuals, regardless of age, educational experiences, or
physical abilities. While many people with an interest in
plants may take botany classes in high school and continue
on to pursue a college degree in horticulture, others come to
the profession much later in life, after a successful career in
another field or perhaps after raising a family. Some individuals,
tired of stressful careers with no tangible results, seek a career
in ornamental horticulture as a way to satisfy their need to
make a positive difference in the world or to express their
creativity. Still others seek a career in ornamental horticulture because they dont like working with people and prefer
plants, which cant complain or talk back. Unfortunately, as
in any other profession, ornamental horticulture professionals must interact with other human beingsclients, vendors,
co-workers, employees, or supervisors.
Educational requirements for a career in ornamental horticulture vary based on the specific field and position within
the particular organization. Positions within the industry
usually require some level of education and/or work experience and fall into one of the following general categories:
22
Unskilled laborer
Skilled laborer
Middle management
Owners/operators
Educators/researchers and specialists
Much of the work associated with the fields of ornamental

horticulture is physically demanding. This is partly because
its generally seasonal, especially in northern climates, so it
requires long hours during certain times of year. The floral
industry experiences busy periods during holidays such as
Valentines Day and Mothers Day, while most landscape
contractors and garden center operators are especially busy
during the springtime rush to get landscapes and gardens
looking their best. In addition to the long hours, the physical
demands inherent in much of the work, such as lifting, digging, and shoveling, often under the hot summer sun, can
take their toll on the body. For those who cant or dont care
to provide physical labor, there are career opportunities in
sales and supervisory positions, landscape design, research,
and education.
Self-Check 7
1. List the five general labor categories within the industries of ornamental horticulture.
__________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________
2. Which of the five labor categories usually requires the greatest amount of formal education
or university training?
__________________________________________________________
3. Which of the five labor categories is best suited to someone with an interest in both business
management and ornamental horticulture, but not necessarily business ownership?
__________________________________________________________
4. Workers in which category often gain their technical skills through vocational training in high
schools or college?
__________________________________________________________
(Continued)
Lesson 2
23
Self-Check 7
5. Workers in which category are usually the lowest paid, often working part-time or
seasonal hours?
__________________________________________________________
6. Which labor category doesnt necessarily require a college degree (although its highly
recommended) and is a good fit for someone with a strong entrepreneurial spirit?
__________________________________________________________
ASSIGNMENT 8: THE
FLORICULTURE INDUSTRY
Read the following material. Then read pages 410417 in
Chapter 15 in your textbook, Ornamental Horticulture. When
you feel youve mastered the material in this assignment,
answer the questions in Self-Check 8.
In Assignment 2, you learned about the craft of floriculture.

In this assignment, youll learn more about the floriculture
industry, the career opportunities available within the industry,
and the educational training required for each. For example,
a landscape floriculture specialist creates and maintains the
large gardens adjoining housing complexes and public or
commercial facilities. Its a rewarding career that brings
together the skills of landscape technology and floriculture.
Simply stated, the floriculture industry is involved with the
production, distribution, and utilization of floral products
and related goods and services. The following professions
make up the floriculture industry.
24
Growers. As you might guess, growers raise the crops that

provide the living plant materials essential to the floriculture
industry.
Wholesale suppliers. Growers, flower shops, and landscapers
turn to wholesale suppliers for the hard goods they need to
produce and distribute quality crops, to produce and sell floral
arrangements, and to complete design and maintenance
projects.
Flower shops and garden centers. Whether independently
owned and operated or part of large retail operations, retail
outlets such as flower shops and garden centers sell floral
products directly to the consumer.
Floral design and sales. Design is the creative segment of
the industry that assembles raw products into artistic floral
displays and other products, while sales involves direct interaction with customers, who often need guidance in choosing
an appropriate arrangement for their needs.
Landscape floriculture specialist. Landscape floriculture
is a specialty within the landscape industry responsible for
the large exterior floral displays common to many commercial, corporate, and hospitality properties.
Teacher/researcher. Teachers educate others in the craft of
floriculture, while researchers provide the science necessary
to improve crops and methods of production.
As you can see, the scope of the floriculture industry is
far-reaching and offers multiple career opportunities to
individuals with varying interests, skills, and educational
backgrounds.
Lesson 2
25
Self-Check 8
Using the corresponding letters, match the description on the left with the correct occupation on the right. Indicate your answer in the space provided.
______
1. Centralized source for items

required by growers
G Grower
W Wholesale supplier
______
2. Designs flower arrangements
______
3. Propagates floral crops for sale to the trade
D Floral designer
______
4. Develops new plant varieties through

university research
______
Flower shop/garden center owner
Landscape floriculture specialist
Teacher/researcher
5. Provides materials and fresh-cut flowers to

retail florists
______
6. Provides the formal training of future practitioners
______
7. Combination of floriculture and landscaping skills
______
8. Often part of a big-box retailer such as Home Depot
______
9. In-depth knowledge of greenhouse operations is essential
______ 10. Designs and installs extensive exterior flower displays
26
ASSIGNMENT 9: THE NURSERY

INDUSTRY
textbook, Ornamental Horticulture. When you feel youve
mastered the material in this assignment, answer the questions
in Self-Check 9.
Whether youre a landscape contractor in need of 300 trees

for a new corporate campus or a gardener looking to plant a
dozen geraniums in your customers window boxes, the nursery
industry is the provider of these materials. The nursery
industry in the United States includes the sale of both floral
and nursery crops. Its a $15 billion industry and ranks in
the top five percent of agricultural commodities sold in over
half of the 50 states. California, where climatic conditions
are favorable to year-round production, produces almost a
quarter of the nations live nursery and floral products. In
addition to the annual sales of live plants, another $30 billion
in horticulture-related supplies and materials are sold
annually in the United States. The combined sales in this
industry makes a contribution to the nations gross domestic
product (GDP) greater than the total GDP of 112 of the 187
countries listed by the World Bank.
In this assignment, youll learn about the different types of
nurseries, the link between the nursery and landscape industries, and the challenges facing the nursery industry today.
The following are the types of nurseries that make up the
nursery industry.
Propagation nursery. Propagation nurseries raise plants
from seeds, cuttings, or other methods, then ship them to
others nurseries as young plants for further growth and
final sale.
Wholesale nursery. On the wholesale level, these nurseries
grow the bulk of herbaceous and woody plant materials used
in the landscape trade; they sell their products only to those
in the nursery and landscape trade.
Lesson 2
27
Wholesale nursery supplier. The wholesale supplier

purchases bulk quantities of plant materials from wholesale
nurseries, as well as landscape supplies, which are then sold
to the landscape trade at prices lower than those at retail
nurseries.
Retail nursery. Retail nurseries purchase plant materials and
landscape supplies from wholesale nurseries and suppliers
for resale to the general public.
Privately owned garden center. Independently owned and
operated businesses offer a wide variety of high-quality plants,
floral design services, garden supplies, and outdoor furniture;
knowledgeable customer service is offered in attractively
designed settings, which keeps them competitive with low
priced, big-box outlets.
Chain store garden center. Most often a separate department
within a larger home improvement or general merchandise
chain store (such as Walmart or The Home Depot), these garden centers sell plants and garden supplies on a seasonal
basis; they typically offer a limited variety of plants, which
are often poorly cared for, and employees who have little
knowledge of horticulture.
Landscape nursery. Landscape nurseries grow plants
themselves and/or purchase them from wholesale nurseries
for resale to landscape contractors and the general public;
they also provide floral and landscape design and plant
installation services.
While the nursery industry in the United States is quite large
and diverse, it may be affected by economic downturns, since
its closely linked to the fortunes of industries such as housing
and construction. Another challenge, most notably at the
wholesale end of the industry, is the dependence on hardworking, yet low-skilled, low-paid laborhard to find without
looking beyond the countrys borders. While these workers
provide an invaluable service to the industry, there are often
language barriers and legal obstacles that can be challenging
for both employer and employee. Those seeking a career in
the nursery industry would benefit greatly by learning
Spanish as a second language.
28
Self-Check 9
Answer Achievement Review questions A1 and A3 on pages 426 and 427 in your textbook.
ASSIGNMENT 10: THE

LANDSCAPE INDUSTRY
in Self-Check 10.
As youve learned, the landscape industry is comprised of

individuals responsible for the design, implementation, and
maintenance of the exterior spaces around homes, businesses,
and cities. While the landscape includes all of the exterior
spaces outside of these buildings, they can range in size from
a small courtyard at the entry of a townhome to the park-like
landscape surrounding a 200-acre corporate campus. While
you may decide to specialize in one aspect of the industry,
its not uncommon to establish a rewarding career that
encompasses all facets of the trade.
In this assignment, youll learn about more career opportunities
in the landscape industry, as well as the required training, level
of education, and physical abilities considered necessary for
a successful career. Listed below are the career opportunities
available within the landscape industry.
Landscape architect. Attractively designed city and state
parks, playgrounds, private residential gardensor entire
subdivisions, college campuses, shopping centers, golf courses,
and parkwaysare the result of the work done by landscape
architects. Landscape architects design these areas so theyre
Lesson 2
29
not only beautiful, but also functional and harmonious with

the natural and/or man-made environment around them.
Landscape architects often collaborate with building architects,
surveyors, and engineers in determining the best arrangement
of roads, buildings, and drainage infrastructure in an effort
to minimize disruption to the natural features of the site.
Many landscape architects also work closely with ecologists,
hydrologists, foresters, and other environmental professionals
to preserve natural resources such as wetlands and stream
corridors, and to restore other ecologically diminished areas,
such as abandoned mines or industrial sites.
After the development of a master site plan, landscape architects prepare additional drawings that show more specific
design details and material selections for parts of the overall
plan. A planting plan that specifies the location, size, and
species of trees and shrubs, or a grading and drainage plan
that illustrates how the site will be regraded to prevent
flooding and erosion, are examples of the detail drawings that
are used by a landscape contractor to implement the plan.
Many landscape architects also stay involved during the
implementation phase of a project, observing the work of
contractors and meeting with owners to discuss any problems
or changes in the project.
Because much of the work of landscape architects is concerned
with protecting the health, safety, and welfare of the general
public, most states require landscape architects to be registered to practice their trade. Requirements for registration
include a degree in landscape architecture from an accredited
university program, a certain amount of professional experience under the direction of a licensed landscape architect,
and passing the Landscape Architect Registration Exam (LARE).
While these requirements preclude landscape designers from
working on larger-scale projects, there are many equally
enjoyable opportunities that are better suited to their qualifications, as youll see below.
Landscape designer. Landscape designers are often involved
in smaller-scale projects that emphasize the use of plant
materials over the complexities of interdisciplinary projects,
which involve master planning and site engineering. The
majority of these projects tend to be single-family residential
30
properties. However, many landscape designers also work

with homeowners associations in multifamily developments
and with commercial and institutional property owners.
While the emphasis of this work is on the planting design,
its not uncommon for the landscape designer to also design
the layout of hardscape features such as decks, driveways,
and sidewalks, as well as specialty items like gazebos, retaining walls, and water features.
Training for a career in landscape design usually begins with
some level of formal education at a community or technical
college or university. Programs in ornamental horticulture
within the school of agriculture or horticulture offer courses
in landscape design and award certificates and degrees in
garden or landscape design. Other routes of training are
through correspondence courses such as the one youre
enrolled in now, informal apprenticeships with practicing
landscape designers, or simply through reading and gaining
experience on ones own. The focus of college programs is
usually on the practical and technical aspects of landscape
design, with emphasis placed on the use of plants in the
landscape, as opposed to a theory-driven curriculum.
If not self-employed, the landscape designer most often finds
employment with a larger landscape company that provides a
range of services, including landscape installation and maintenance. In that case, the landscape designer may also be
involved in the sale and marketing of design services, estimating
project costs, and working closely with the landscape crews
during the implementation phase of a project. This diversity
in job tasks assures that theres never a dull moment in the
day of the designer and allows him or her the enjoyment of
working both inside and outside the office. However, it also
requires a disciplined approach to time management. Many
retail nurseries and garden centers hire landscape designers
to draw garden plans or simply to be on hand to assist customers in making plant selections from the sales lot.
Unlike landscape architects, landscape designers arent
required to take national exams or apply for a license,
although some states do require a license for landscape
contractors. For designers seeking professional credentialing
that distinguishes them from the amateur, several state
Lesson 2
31
and national organizations, including the Association of

Professional Landscape Designers (APLD), offer certification.
Contact information for the APLD and other professional
organizations can be found in Appendix A of your textbook,
Ornamental Horticulture. You can also find more general
career information at the United States Department of Labor
website at http://www.bls.gov/.
Landscape contractor. Landscape contractors are the vital
link between a landscape architect or designers plan and the
built landscape. Equipped with the proper tools, equipment,
and skilled labor, landscape contractors install plants and
other materials according to the plans and specifications set
forth by the landscape designer. The installation of softscape
elements, such as plants, mulch, and bed edging, typically
makes up the bulk of work performed by a landscape contractor just getting started in the business. As the landscape
contractor gains more experience and skill along with the
financial means to purchase more specialized equipment, he
or she may begin to bid on larger and more complex projects
that include the construction of hardscape elements such as
retaining walls, patios, and irrigation systems.
A day in the life of a landscape contractor can be not only
physically demanding, but also a test of ones communication,
organizational, and time-management skills. Landscape contractors often work long hours under the hot summer sun in
exchange for the time lost in the cold and snow of winter.
As the first days of spring arrive and the phone begins to
ring off the hook with customers wanting their yards looking
beautiful for that graduation party in May, the ability to quickly
shift into high gear is essential. Bidding on new projects,
supervising crews, and satisfying the needs of customers can
be a tremendous challenge. This is where organizational,
time-management, and communication skills are crucial.
While it may seem a bit overwhelming, the enjoyment of
working outdoors and the satisfaction gained by creating
something of lasting beauty make the landscape contractors
work rewarding. For more information on the landscape construction trade, visit http://www.landcarenetwork.org/.
32
Landscape gardener or maintenance supervisor. The

work of a landscape gardener or maintenance supervisor
involves a variety of tasks necessary to the upkeep and
health of the gardens and landscapes in his or her care.
Typical of these tasks is mowing and fertilization of turf;
trimming and pruning small trees and shrubs; removing
weeds, leaves, and litter; and planting annual flower displays.
Many companies also provide the same services for indoor
gardens and plantings in commercial and public facilities such
as shopping malls, hotels, and botanical gardens. While the
landscape gardener typically works alone or with other trained
individuals, the landscape maintenance supervisor may
travel from job to job overseeing the work of multiple crews.
The physical aspects of the job are less demanding than that of
a landscape contractor, but can still require long hours
under less-than-optimal weather conditions. While landscape
contractors are constantly moving from one new job to the
next, each with a fresh set of demands and diverse circumstances, the landscape maintenance supervisor and gardener
will return to the same familiar site performing the same
tasks week after week. Some gardeners are employed directly
by country clubs and golf courses, large private estates,
amusement parks and hotels, and college campuses, where
they work the entire year. This regularity is more comfortable
for those who prefer a predictable schedule and recurring
tasks.
While an entry-level position on a landscape-maintenance
crew doesnt require any formal education or training, those
who seek a supervisory position are better positioned if they
have a degree in grounds maintenance obtained from a technical college or university program. Many individuals wishing
to start their own landscape maintenance businesses learn the
trade by working for someone else or through correspondence
courses such as this. There are no licensing requirements for
landscape maintenance contractors, unless youre involved
with the application of pesticides, in which case most states
require a pesticide applicators license. For more career information, visit the United States Department of Labor.
Lesson 2
33
Landscape nurseryman. The landscape nurseryman is a

combination of both landscape contractor and retail nursery,
providing plant materials and installation services to mostly
residential customers.
Self-Check 10
Using the corresponding letters, match the description on the left with the correct occupation on the right. Indicate your answer in the space provided.
______
1. Responsible for the care of a landscape

after its installed
______
2. Creates master plans on large-scale
A Landscape architect
D Landscape designer
C Landscape contractor
developments
G Gardener/maintenance supervisor
______
3. Responsible for weekly lawn mowing
______
4. May be certified by the APLD
______
5. Weeds, plants beds, and trims shrubs
______
6. Responsible for installing the landscape plan
______
7. Licensed in most states by LARE
______
8. Most often prepares plans for residential clients
______
9. Highest capital expenditures on tools, trucks, and equipment
______ 10. Employed by property owners to care for their grounds
34
ASSIGNMENT 11: SO YOU

THINK YOU WANT TO BE
A LANDSCAPER?
Read the following material. Then read the introduction on
pages vii to ix and Chapter 1 in your textbook, How To Start
a Home-Based Landscaping Business. When you feel youve
in Self-Check 11.
In this assignment, the reading is from your second textbook,

How to Start a Home-Based Landscaping Business, where
youll gain additional insight into the career choices available
to you in the landscape industry. The author of this book,
Owen E. Dell, has been running his own landscape business
in California since the 1970s and offers insight thats as
informative as it is inspiring. His experiences in both the
good and the bad that come with running a landscape business and his observations of how the industry has changed
over the years will be valuable to anybody looking to get into
the landscaping business.
Pay particular attention to the discussion Do You Have What
It Takes? beginning on page 10, which addresses the question
of whether or not youre likely to be satisfied and successful
in the landscape industry. If this section gives you knots in
your stomach and has you second-guessing your career choice,
thats all right. Learning the art, science, and technology of a
new career can be a tremendous challenge. Trying to understand all there is to running a profitable business is another
test of your determination. But if you have the character and
resolve to make it, you will.
Before starting their own businesses, many people gain
experience working for someone else, learning the pitfalls
without risking their own investment. Others are comfortable
working as an employee or perhaps partner in a business,
never taking on the full risk and responsibilities that come
with being an independent business owner. Wherever you
wind up, the goal remains the same: you need to be happy,
yet sufficiently challenged to reach your full potential in
whatever business you choose.
Lesson 2
35
The remainder of this book will be referenced later in the program. For those who arent interested in running a business,
this textbook also addresses how to establish yourself as an
indispensable employee.
Self-Check 11
1. In addition to learning the skills and technologies associated with the landscape trade, what
other skill is essential if you want to run your own landscape company?
__________________________________________________________
2. List the five areas of emphasis from which you can choose when seeking an AS degree
in horticulture.
__________________________________________________________
3. A/an _______ is a professional trained in the care of trees.
4. The _______ contractor installs and maintains systems for the delivery of water to landscape
plantings.
5. _______ is a term used to describe landscape contractors who construct gardens from their
own designs.
6. Which business is more physically demanding and requires more capital investment in tools
and equipment, garden maintenance or landscape construction?
__________________________________________________________
7. What is the name given to a specialized field of pest-control management that relies less on
toxic chemicals and more on beneficial insects and proper cultural practices?
__________________________________________________________
8. What is the name of the Small Business Administration (SBA) program that offers small
business owners one-on-one counseling with retired businesspeople?
__________________________________________________________
36
ASSIGNMENT 12: SPECIALIZED

AND NONTRADITIONAL CAREERS
in Self-Check 12.
So far, youve learned about traditional careers in ornamental

horticulture, particularly in the landscape industry. In this
assignment, youll explore nontraditional careers available to
those who have a sincere interest in ornamental horticulture
and the appropriate education, training, and skills. The route
to a nontraditional career may reflect a personal desire to
apply knowledge in a more innovative way, a yearning to help
others, or simply a need to supplement another source of
income. The following is a brief description of nontraditional
careers discussed in your textbook.
Part-time work. Part-time employment can be a great way
to supplement your household income while satisfying your
desire to work with plants. Whether youre self-employed and
working from your backyard garden growing flowers and
vegetables for sale at the local farmers market or working
weekends assisting customers at the local garden center,
youll be gaining experience, as well as making extra money.
Cooperative extension specialist. Limited to persons with
a university education and industry experience, this career
path allows you to share your passion and knowledge in
ornamental horticulture with both industry and the general
public through phone and e-mail inquiries, site visits, tours,
and seminars. The extension specialist is also often involved
in university research and community outreach through programs such as the Master Gardeners program. Find more
information about the Master Gardeners program at the
American Horticultural society website, http://www.ahs.org/.
Horticulture therapists. For those with a desire to share
their passion in horticulture while helping others, horticultural
therapy can be an enjoyable and rewarding career. Both full
Lesson 2
37
and part-time opportunities at nursing homes, schools for the

physically or mentally challenged, and prisons with rehabilitation programs are just a few of the outlets for this type of work.
Arborists and lawn care specialists. Both of these specialty
areas offer rewarding career opportunities, as the interest in
maintaining a healthy urban forest and attractive lawns is
well established in modern society. Arborists are skilled in
identifying and treating diseased or structurally damaged
trees and must possess the physical and mental agility to
climb tall trees. Closer to the ground, lawn care specialists
may work for a large, national lawn care company, own a
franchise with one of these companies, or own and operate
their own businesses that provide fertilization and weed and
disease control services.
Communications. To those proficient in both horticultural
knowledge and the use of the spoken or written word, as well
as the passion to spread the word, a career in horticulturerelated communications is another possible path to follow.
Outlets for this unique set of talents include local newspapers,
national gardening or landscape magazines, trade journals,
and book publishers. Speaking opportunities are available at
garden club meetings and industry seminars and workshops.
Garden coach. Garden coach is a recently introduced title
for a consultant who works with homeowners who choose to
do the actual work themselves. Your horticulture and gardening expertise could help inexperienced gardeners make the
right choices in plants, design, and maintenance of their
landscapes and gardens. With the renewed interest in eating
healthful and affordable home-grown fruits and vegetables,
garden coaches with expertise in soil preparation, growing,
harvesting, and storing fruits and vegetables are increasingly
in demand.
38
Self-Check 12
Using the corresponding letters, match the description on the left with the correct occupation
or occupations on the right. Indicate your answer in the space provided.
______
1. Helping others rehabilitate through

horticultural projects
______
2. Applies herbicides and pesticides to
A Arborist
C Communications specialist
E
Cooperative extension specialist
turf areas
H Horticultural therapist
______
3. Combines interest in horticulture with
Lawn care specialist
superior writing skills

______
4. Services include tree removal, cabling

and fertilization
______
5. Seasonal in nature; most work limited to the growing season
______
6. Requires compassion, patience, and a call to human service
______
7. University educated and employed by state college of agriculture
______
8. Combines horticultural knowledge with public speaking skills
______
9. Disseminates latest research to business and the general public
______ 10. Potentially dangerous work, requires great physical agility
Lesson 2
39
NOTES
40
In this lesson, youll learn about the growing interest in

landscapes designed to be more environmentally friendly and
the practices used in achieving such a goal. Much like the
environmental movement of the 1960s and 1970s, this shift
in mindset is a reaction to increased concern over the environmental degradation occurring all over the planet. Its also
an acknowledgement of Earths limited resources, which no
longer can be squandered without considering the well-being
of future generations. Youll be introduced to the concept of
the four Rsreduce, reuse, recycle, rebuyand the principles
of sustainable landscapes. Youll also reference your textbook
How to Start a Home-Based Landscaping Business for a
discussion on the business opportunities in sustainable
landscape practices. Finally, youll visit an Internet resource
that provides additional information on this topic.
OBJECTIVES
Define the term sustainable
Discuss the concept of the four Rs
Explain the differences between conventional and

sustainable landscapes
List the principles and benefits of sustainable landscapes
Identify business opportunities in sustainable

landscaping
Discuss the goals of the EPAs GreenScapes website
Lesson 3
The Shift to Sustainable

Landscapes
41
ASSIGNMENT 13: THE TEN

PRINCIPLES OF SUSTAINABLE
LANDSCAPES
Read the following material (there are no assigned textbook
readings for this assignment). When you feel youve mastered
the material in this assignment, answer the questions in
Self-Check 13.
Long before the term green was attached to anything and

everything that was good for the environment, the term green
industry was coined by the landscape industry. It describes
all the trades in ornamental horticulture, including the nurseries that grow plant materials, the landscape designers, and
the landscape contractors who install and maintain the
designed landscapes. However, the green industry isnt so
green after all. Deeply ingrained perceptions of what a wellmaintained and socially acceptable landscape should look like
are based on historical precedentoften in direct conflict with a
more sustainable and ecological approach to landscape design.
The result is that conventional landscape practices place a
priority on beauty and control over nature, resulting in some
of the most consumptive and wasteful practices possible.
Sustainable Development
and the Four Rs
Sustainable Development
Before getting into the 10 principles, we should define exactly
what we mean when using the term sustainable. Some basic
dictionary definitions listed for the word sustain are maintain, support, or keep going. More recently, the word has
been used to refer to the relationship between human beings
and Earths capacity to support our way of life.
42
The often-quoted 1987 Brundtland Commission of the United

Nations definition of sustainability (and sustainable development)
is as follows:
Sustainable development is development that meets the
needs of the present without compromising the ability of
future generations to meet their own needs.
For our purposes, sustainable landscapes are those that, for

the most part, take care of themselves. They thrive with minimal input of precious resources, including water, fossil fuels,
fossil fuelbased fertilizers and pesticides, and human labor.
In addition to being self-sustaining through smart design
choices, they can support individuals and communities in
living more sustainable lives.
The Four Rs
The concept of the four Rsreduce, reuse, recycle, rebuy
should be at the heart of every decision when sustainable
landscapes are designed. Reducing the use of new materials,
reusing materials, and considering recycling or the potential
for repurchasing of discarded materials should be part of a
sustainable approach to design. Such changes will result in
landscape designs that not only meet our desire for attractive,
less consumptive, and healthier landscapes, but also mimic
the natural processes inherent to a properly functioning
ecosystem.
The 10 Principles of
Sustainable Landscapes
The 10 principles of sustainable landscapes are a brief introduction to the simple changes we can make in the way we
design and use the landscapes that surround us.
Lesson 3
43
Principle 1: Reduce the Amount

of Conventional Lawn
Conventional turf-grass lawns are a present-day carryover
from the time of the English manor, when large, expansive
lawns were a sign of prestige and wealth. Turf grasses were
well adapted to the cool, rain-drenched landscape of England
and, before the advent of the power lawn mower, they were
maintained by herds of sheep that grazed (and fertilized) the
lawns. This pastoral image was brought to North America
with the Europeans, but didnt always fare well in the drier
and much warmer climates found in many parts of North
America. Lawns from Maine to California are still the predominant feature of our landscape, replacing native plant
communities that were well acclimated to local weather
conditions.
To maintain these lush carpets of well-cropped turf grasses,
we now apply to them extraordinary amounts of fossil-based
fertilizers and pesticides, in addition to wasteful quantities of
precious water resources. The single most effective way to
reduce the negative impact of lawns on our environment is to
replace at least some of the turf grass in favor of ecologically
appropriate plantings. Another alternative is no-mow turf-grass
lawns that are allowed to grow higher and that are better
adapted to heat and drought, drastically reducing the need
for fertilizer and water.
Principle 2: Use Native Plants

When you plant species native to a particular geographic
region, they fare much better than exotic species imported
from abroad, because theyre naturally adapted to the climate
and soil conditions of that region. When exotic species, illsuited to local growing conditions, are introduced into a
landscape, they generally require fertilizers and pesticides
(harmful to beneficial life forms), as well as supplemental
watering, which puts an unnecessary strain on local water
supplies. Plants and animals that evolve together become
dependent upon one another for their very survival. As exotics
replace natives, insects adapted to native sources of food and
nectar decline, with adverse effects on the birds that prey
44
upon them for food. In many places, exotic plant species have
escaped from gardens and infiltrated local ecosystems,
crowding out natives entirely.
Principle 3: Reduce the Amount of

Impervious Surfaces
As the covered area of a landscape increases, whether by
asphalt, concrete, or another impervious surface, so does
the amount of stormwater runoff. This excess runoff affects
water quality, as accumulated surface pollutants are swept
directly into creeks, rivers, and lakes, while storm surges
intensify damage caused by erosion. Also, stormwater runoff
that has been warmed by pavement has adverse effects on
temperature-sensitive fish species, such as brook trout.
Decreased infiltration through the soil results in decreased
subsurface flow and streams that run dry more quickly,
adding further stress to already sensitive aquatic ecosystems.
Principle 4: Capture and Use

Stormwater on Site
Stormwater runoff that, in excess, can be detrimental to the
environment can also be harvested on site and turned into a
precious resource. For example, rain barrels can be used to
trap small amounts of runoff for watering garden plants, while
cisterns can catch larger amounts of water for more expansive
landscapes. Rain gardens, also known as bio-infiltration basins,
are planted depressions that allow runoff to be absorbed by
the ground. Along with bioswales, which are designed to trap
silt and pollutants from runoff water, rain gardens can confine or slow stormwater runoff, allowing it time to percolate
back into the soil and recharge the groundwater supply.
Water-harvesting elements like these are often used around
large parking lots or areas with extensive paving or other
hard surfaces.
Lesson 3
45
Principle 5: Use Vegetation to

Modify the Microclimate
While trees are often planted for their burst of spring color,
sweetly scented flowers, or brilliant display of fall foliage, few
peoplelandscape professionals includedacknowledge the
environmental benefits of planting trees. Studies have shown
that correctly positioned trees can cut the energy consumption
of a conventional residence by as much as 25 percent. The
combined effects of cast shade and evapotranspiration (loss
of water from the soil through evaporation and as vapor
through plants leaves) can lower ambient air temperatures
by almost 10 degrees F. Studies have also shown that wellplaced coniferous trees can reduce home heating bills by 10
to 40 percent. In addition, shade trees help keep cities cooler
by shielding the asphalt and concrete that cover the ground.
Without trees, the pavement absorbs the suns heat and
radiates it back into the already warmed atmosphere, resulting in the heat island effect.
Other uses for vegetation in modifying local micro-climates
include green roofs, which are planted with vegetation to
absorb rainwater, provide insulation, create a habitat for
wildlife, and lower air temperatures; and green walls, which
are partially or completely covered in vegetation and serve
generally the same purposes. Used in building structures
throughout history, green roofs and walls have recently seen
a resurgence in popularity due to their numerous environmental benefits. Greens may also improve water quality by
helping to manage storm water and to lower heating and
cooling costs by providing shade and evapotranspiration.
Principle 6: Protect and Restore Soils

A healthy landscapeone that can persist through periods
of drought and remain productiveis dependent upon a
healthy living soil. Without this thin layer of living matter,
our very survival is compromised. Yet theres little respect
for this precious resource, referred to as simply dirt.
Modern-day practices of development, in which soils are
stripped and compacted, then later poisoned with herbicides
and pesticides, leaves most landscaped areas unfit for
46
long-term sustainability. The soil becomes nothing more

than a medium to which we add water and chemicals in a
clumsy attempt to support life.
In a sustainable and productive landscape, the soil is protected
from the ravages of development and maintained through
proper stewardship, which includes avoiding unnecessary
disruption and compaction in the first place. It also includes
recycling of biomass, protection from erosion, and restraint in
the application of chemicals. This type of stewardship requires
a different mindsetone that recognizes and appreciates the
intricate process of decay and renewal that has built and maintained soils since long before mammals roamed the Earth.
Principle 7: Reduce Waste through Composting

The answer to many of Principle 6s problems is solved in
Principle 7. Rather than send yard wastes to the local landfill
and wash food scraps down the kitchen disposal, we can
compost this material in our own backyards. When composted,
waste is transformed into black gold. Soils amended with
compost are better equipped to retain moisture and produce
healthier, more productive plants, as opposed to degraded
soils that are dependent upon a steady diet of irrigated water
and chemical-based fertilizers for continued productivity.
Principle 8: Plant Trees, Shrubs,

and Gardens That Produce Food
Landscapes can be more than just a way to pretty up a
building or house. In addition to creating pleasant and
comfortable surroundings, landscapes can be designed to
produce food. In todays world, where the average tomato has
traveled 1,500 miles to get to the dinner table and food
poisoning scares are common, it only makes sense to grow
and harvest food in your own backyard. Homegrown fruits
and vegetables are fresher and higher in nutrient content
than those that are grown on factory farms and free of
harmful chemicals used in commercial production. In a time
of economic uncertainty and skyrocketing health-care costs,
healthy, homegrown produce makes very good sense.
Lesson 3
47
Principle 9: Consider the Full Environmental

Impact of Building Materials
In addition to creating ideas, landscape designers are responsible for specifying materials to be used on the job. Just as
plant choices have long-term impacts on the amount of water,
pesticides, energy, and labor will be needed to maintain the
landscape, hardscape elements have environmental impacts
of their own. The term embodied energy refers to the amount
of energy expended in the mining, processing, and shipping
of materials to their final destination. The environmental
impact of using an exotic stone shipped from halfway around
the world is significant compared to buying a locally quarried
stone to construct a patio. Its important to consider the overall impact when selecting building materials for any project.
Its also important to think about what will happen to the
materials after theyve served a useful life. Will they be buried
in a landfill, or can they be recycled into another project?
Principle 10: Educate Your Customers

The last and perhaps the most important principle in creating productive and sustainable landscapes is gaining the
buy-in of your clients and the general public. This isnt
always easy, since long-held perceptions about what makes a
beautiful and socially acceptable landscape are in many ways
in direct conflict with the ecological and sustainable
approach to design. However, as an educated landscape professional, you need to communicate with your clients, helping
them understand the complex relationships in a healthy
ecosystem and the consequences of attempting to outsmart
Mother Nature. While great strides have been made over the
last few years in promoting everything green, its imperative
that landscape professionals take the lead in promoting the
ways in which we can all be better stewards of the environment, while creating landscapes more beautiful than anything
weve achieved in the past.
48
Self-Check 13
1. Define the term sustainable as it pertains to man-made landscapes.
__________________________________________________________
2. Define the term embodied energy.
__________________________________________________________
3. List the four Rs that should be at the heart of every decision when designing sustainable
landscapes.
__________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________
4. Which one of the 10 principles is essential to the buy-in of your clients when proposing a
sustainable approach to landscaping?
__________________________________________________________
5. Name and explain the principles that recommend purchasing plant, landscape materials,
and other products from local sources.
__________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________
6. Name the principle that promotes edible landscapes.
__________________________________________________________
7. Name the principle that suggests we limit the use of exotic plants in the landscape.
__________________________________________________________
Lesson 3
49
ASSIGNMENT 14: BUSINESS

OPPORTUNITIES IN
SUSTAINABLE LANDSCAPING
Read the following material. Then read pages 153161 in your
textbook, How to Start a Home-Based Landscaping Business.
When you feel youve mastered the material in this assignment, answer the questions in Self-Check 14.
An increased awareness and concern over the harmful side

effects of modern societys activities is generating new business
opportunities, including in the landscape industry. From the
debate over climate change to the cleaning up of our nations
waterways, the landscape industry can benefit by providing
products and services that help ease these and other problems.
To profit from these opportunities, the landscape professional
needs to stay current on the new (and not so new), more
environmentally friendly practices. Old-school landscape professionals used to the business-as-usual approach, unwilling
to keep up to date on the latest methods and technologies,
may find themselves left on the sidelines as others profit from
a more sustainable approach to their craft.
Even if youre not yet ready to offer strictly green goods
and services, the growing number of people choosing to live
a greener lifestyle are demanding products and services that
are more environmentally friendly and give preference to
businesses that operate in a more sustainable manner. Many
large corporations have already discovered that taking the
sustainable approach to doing business is not only good for
the environment, its also good for their public relations and
their bottom line. For example, the Walmart corporation
implemented corporate guidelines limiting the amount of time
delivery trucks could sit with engines idling and took advantage
of natural daylight by installing skylights in all new stores.
The company has not only lowered its energy consumption,
but also helped reduce air pollution, saved significant
amounts of money, and greatly enhanced its public image.
50
In your textbook, How to Start a Home-Based Landscaping

Business, youll read about the many ways in which you can
incorporate more sustainable elements into your landscape
projects, how you can provide business services in a more
sustainable manner, and how you can meet the demand for
green landscapes. Some of these concepts may be difficult
to grasp at this point in your studies. However, as you progress
through the rest of this program, the concepts will become
clearer and more intriguing.
Self-Check 14
1. List three types of watershed-friendly landscaping.
__________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________
2. Even if some potential clients dont really care about protecting the environment, what other
benefits could you sell them by taking a more sustainable approach to their landscape projects?
__________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________
3. Rainwater that falls on a site can be stored in a/an _______ for later use during the
dry season.
4. List two negative impacts on the environment caused by maintaining a traditional lawn.
__________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________
5. _______ is the Australian system of holistic design that stacks functions and yields maximum
benefit with minimum impact.
6. A gravel path, as opposed to a concrete walk, is an example of _______ paving.
7. _______ walls are systems for covering the vertical surfaces of buildings with plants, which in
turn help cool the building.
Lesson 3
51
ASSIGNMENT 15: INTERNET

RESOURCES ON SUSTAINABLE
LANDSCAPING
Read the following material. Then use the Internet to access
the assigned readings. When you feel youve mastered the
material in this assignment, answer the questions in SelfCheck 15.
In a traditional education, the standard means of disseminating

course information from teacher to student has been in the
form of lectures and readings from assigned textbooks. With
the rapid evolution of the Internet, however, a whole new tool
has emerged in the learning process. Students in search of the
latest information on a particular topic are just a few keyboard
strokes away from what might actually be too much information. While surfing the Web for the right bit of information
can sometimes be time-consuming and frustrating, the ease
of access coupled with the wealth of up-to-date information
make the Internet an essential tool in your education.
For this assignment, youll go to the Environmental Protection
Agencys Web page, Greenscaping: The Easier Way to a
Greener, Healthier Yard. There youll learn about methods
for creating more sustainable landscapes. The link to the EPAs
website is http://www.epa.gov/epawaste/conserve/tools/
greenscapes/index.htm. Once logged onto the website, click
on the links listed below and read through the information.
GreenScapes for Homeowners: This link provides

homeowners with information and resources to improve
the health and appearance of their lawns and gardens.
Benefits: This link offers a discussion on ways to save

money by reducing waste, water use, energy use, and
greenhouse gas emissions.
How to GreenScape: This link presents information on

the four Rsreduce, reuse, recycle, and rebuy.
There are also links that take you to additional websites on the
topic of sustainability. As you follow these and other links on
the Internet, youll find that many of them contain information
52
that youll want to access at a later time. Now is a good time

to set up a file of bookmarked sites for future use. Make a
separate bookmark folder with a recognizable name, such as
Sustainable Landscaping. If youre not familiar with the
process of bookmarking Web pages, have someone show you
how or explore the Bookmark button on your toolbar to figure
it out (its fairly simple).
Self-Check 15
1. _______ and mulch are two ways to build and maintain healthy soil.
2. By choosing plants that grow well in the climate, soil, and water conditions in your area,
youre using which concept youve learned in this assignment?
__________________________________________________________
3. In practicing smart watering for healthier plants, its best to water during the _______ hours
to lessen evaporation loss.
4. Three simple things you can do when practicing _______ are to mow higher, mow regularly,
and leave the clippings on the lawn.
5. List three of the six benefits of taking the Greenscaping approach to landscaping.
__________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________
6. Reduce, _______, recycle, and rebuy are the four elements listed on the How To Greenscape
Web page.
7. A convenient way to readily access a useful Web page in the future is to _______ it.
Lesson 3
53
NOTES
54
The purpose of this project is for you to gain further insight

into the landscape industry and the potential career opportunities that await you. To accomplish this, youll conduct an
informational interview with a local landscape professional
and then write a report on your experience. An informational
interview is a meeting in which you ask for career and industry advice, rather than employment with the company. In this
type of interview, you ask the questions and pick up valuable
information about your future career from someone experienced
in the field. Additional benefits of the informational interview
can be a long-term mentor relationship, expanded professional
networking, and even the possibility of a future job offer.
INSTRUCTIONS
The procedure for your informational interview, the information to be gathered, and the format youll use in documenting
the process and findings of your interview are described in the
steps listed below. Theres no required number of pages for
your report, but make sure all the steps are fully addressed
and presented in an organized, well-written form to receive
full credit for your work.
Note: If you live in an area thats prohibitively distant from
any landscape business, you may use the Internet, written
correspondence, and/or a telephone interview to complete
this project. You must notify your instructor if you intend to
use an alternate interview method. Also, you must indicate
how you conducted the interview in the Step 4 section of
your project report.
Step 1: Research the informational interview. Before you
begin planning your interview, research landscape businesses
in your area for potential contacts. While your initial instinct
might lead you to contact only businesses that provide the
type of services that youre most interested in, dont be afraid
to widen your scope. Include at least one business that
offers services youre less familiar with. Its all part of the
learning process.
R
Re
es
se
ea
arr c
ch
h P
Prr o
ojje
ec
ctt
OVERVIEW
55
You may also want to do some research on how to conduct

an informational interview. There are many books and websites that offer tips and ideas for making the most of your
opportunity. You can also access the Penn Foster Library,
which offers a variety of research and career resources. While
the informational interview has a different purpose, many of
the job interviewing tips offered in the Penn Foster Library
Career Center can be adapted to this project.
In your report, make sure you
Provide names and locations of three different landscape

businesses that youve researched for potential contact.
Provide a short (one to two paragraphs) description of

each business.
Step 2: Write a letter requesting an informational interview.

Write a letter to the one business that interests you most and
request an interview. Dont feel self-conscious about asking
for an interview. Youll find most people eager to help you out,
and the landscape industry is known to be open and sharing;
however, be consideratetry not to make your request during the companys busiest part of a season. You may send
your letter as an e-mail, but make sure its businesslike in
tone and format.
Make sure your letter contains the following information:
An introduction telling the recipient who you are, what

youre studying, and why youre contacting them
A request for an interview; be sure to tell them this is

an information-gathering interview and not a search
for employment
Your contact information, including name, address,

phone number, and e-mail address
Sincere thanks for their time and consideration
Your signature
Your letter should be a professional-looking, typewritten

request, even if you send it by e-mail. You must submit a
copy of your letter with the rest of your project.
56
Research Project
Even though the purpose of this interview isnt to get a job,

you could enclose a personal resume with your letter, just to
give the interviewee a better idea of who you are. If all goes
well, youll get a positive response to your request and schedule
an interview. If, after a few weeks, theres no reply to your
letter, call to inquire about the letter and interviewits quite
possible your letter was set aside and forgotten. If it doesnt
work out with your first-choice company, send a letter to
your second choice.
Step 3: Prepare for the interview. The worst thing you can
do is show up at an interview unprepared. Youll prepare a
typewritten list of 20 questions to be turned in as part of
your project. While youre free to ask any questions that are
appropriate to your goals for this meeting, the following are a
few suggestions:
What services does the business provide?
How long has the company been in business?
How did you get started in this business or field?
What do you find most rewarding about your job?
What are the most challenging aspects of your job

or business?
Where do you see this business going in five, 10,

or 20 years?
Are there any new trends in landscaping that interest you?
What does a sustainable landscape look like to you?
Is your company providing or adopting any sustainable

landscape practices?
What kind of education or training should someone with

my interests pursue?
Youll be the one doing most of the talking, at least initially, so

have a list of thoughtful questions in hand. If you fail to prepare ahead of time, youll appear disorganized, forget to ask
the most important questions, and probably get cut short by
someone who thinks youre wasting his or her time. Once you
get started, dont be surprised if the other person does most
of the talking. Just go with the flow and listen to what they
Research Project
57
have to say, take notes, and return to your list of questions

when the previous question has been answered and theres a
clear opening.
Step 4: Doing the interview. Even though youre not seeking a job at this point, you should present yourself in a
professional manner. Wear the kind of neat, clean, conservative clothing that youd wear to a job interviewno torn jeans
and T-shirts, no shorts, no flip-flops. Be sure to bring your
list of questions and a pen and notebook to take notes. The
person youre interviewing will appreciate the fact that youre
writing some of the information down. A typical informational
interview usually lasts 30 to 40 minutes, but no longer than
an hour, so be prepared to wrap things up before then. Ask if
theres any information about the business that you can
take along with you. Printed information will vary depending
upon the type of business youre visiting, but may include
the following:
The persons business card
A company brochure or other marketing materials that

describe the business and its products or services
A products catalog (e.g., a nursery catalog)
Forms used by designers (e.g., client questionnaires

or checklists)
Forms used by lawn maintenance crews (e.g., site-visit

forms or checklists)
The business youre visiting may consider some of this information proprietarynot to be shared with anyone outside of
the businessso dont be offended if your interviewee wont
give you information other than marketing materials.
For your project, youll submit a typewritten summary of your
interview, which includes the responses you received to your
questions during the interview, any additional information
that you gained and found helpful, and a list of the company
materials you were given.
Step 5: Follow up your interview. After your interview,
write a letter thanking the person who provided the informational interview. Use your library resources if necessary. You
may send it by e-mail or regular mail. You must turn in a
copy of the thank-you letter as a part of your project.
58
Research Project
Grading Criteria
Your project grade will be broken down as follows:
Content
70%
Step 1.
10%
Step 2.
10%
Step 3.
10%
Step 4.
30%
Step 5.
10%
Written Communication
20%
Format
10%
Specifics for each of the criteria are as follows:
Content
The student provides information as requested for each

of the five steps listed, with each step labeled.
The student stays focused on assigned issues.
The student uses full sentences or follows proper format

for each step of assignment.
Written Communication
The student uses correct grammar, spelling, punctuation,

and sentence structure.
The student provides the requested information in the

order it was listed in the project outline.
The student makes sure the project contains no

typographical errors.
Research Project
59
Format
The requested information is to be typewritten and double
spaced, in a standard 12-point font and include the following
information:
Your name and complete mailing address
Your student number
Course title and number (Introduction to the

Landscape Industry, BCT015)
Research project number (10281200)
Submitting Your Assignment

Save a revised and corrected version of your project and then
go to your My Courses page and click on Take Exam next to
the lesson youre working on. Upload and submit your file as
directed on the page.
60
Research Project
Self Check 1
1. c
3. d
4. g
5. h
6. j
7. a
8. b
9. f
10. i
Self Check 2
A1
B5
a. False
a. 3
1. b
b. True
b. 3
2. c
c. True
c. 2
3. c
d. True
d. 5
4. a
e. False
e. 4
5. c
f. True
f. 1
6. d
g. True
g. 2
h. True
Answers
2. e
61
Self Check 3
A
1. False
1. c
2. False
2. b
3. True
3. b
4. True
4. c
5. True
5. a
6. False
6. b
7. False
7. c
8. False
8. d
9. True
9. b
Self Check 4
A1
A3
a. 3
a. B
b. 1
b. A
c. 2
c. A
d. 2
d. C
e. 3
e. C
f. 2
f. A
g. B
h. B
i. A
j. B
62
Self-Check Answers
Self Check 5
A3
A6
a. A
a. C
b. C
b. B
c. A
c. B
d. B
d. A
e. C
e. A
f. B
f. B
g. A
h. C
Self Check 6
A
B2
1. b
a. pruning
2. a
b. lead branch
3. d
c. canopy
4. b
d. crotch
e. suckers
f. water sprouts
g. crown
h. lighter
i. inferior
j. younger
Self-Check Answers
63
Self Check 7
1. Unskilled labor, skilled labor, middle management,
owner/operator, educator/researcher
2. Educator/researcher
3. Middle management
4. Skilled labor
5. Unskilled labor
6. Owner/operator
Self Check 8
1. W
2. D
3. G
4. T
5. W
6. T
7. L
8. F
9. G
10. L
Self Check 9
A1
A3
a. N
a. propagation, wholesale, retail
b. F
b. propagation, wholesale, landscape

nursery
c. F
c. wholesale, retail, homeowner
d. B
d. wholesale, landscaper, homeowner
e. N
f. B
g. N
64
Self-Check Answers
Self Check 10
1. G
2. A
3. G
4. D
5. G
6. C
7. A
8. D
9. C
10. G
Self Check 11
1. Business skills
2. Landscape contracting, landscape design, landscape
maintenance, nursery and greenhouse technology,
regenerative and restoration horticulture
3. arborist
4. irrigation
5. Design/build
6. Landscape construction
7. Integrated pest management, IPM
8. SCORE
Self Check 12
1. H
2. L
3. C
4. A
5. L
Self-Check Answers
65
6. H
7. E
8. C, E
9. E
10. A
Self Check 13
1. Sustainable landscapes take care of themselves; they
thrive with minimal use of precious resources, including
water, fossil fuels, fossil fuelbased fertilizers and pesticides, and human labor.
2. Embodied energy is the amount of energy expended in
the mining, processing, and shipping of materials to
their final destination.
3. Reduce, reuse, recycle, rebuy
4. Principle 10, educate your clients
5. Principle 9 points out that even hardscape elements can
have an environmental impact if theyre shipped in from
a distant location, so its better to use local products;
also Principle 2native plants, bought locally, fare better
than exotics because they have adapted to the climate
and soil conditions of the region.
6. Principle 8, plant trees, shrubs and gardens that
produce food
7. Principle 2, use native plants
Self Check 14
1. Dry streambed, bioswale, constructed wetland
2. Reduced costs and reduced labor
3. cistern
4. Water use, pollution from fertilizers and pesticides
66
Self-Check Answers
5. Permaculture
6. pervious
7. Living
Self Check 15
1. Compost
2. Plant right for your site.
3. early morning
4. natural lawn care
5. Any three of the following: build and maintain healthy
soil, plant right for your site, practice smart watering,
adopt a holistic approach to pest management, practice
natural lawn care
6. reuse
7. bookmark
Self-Check Answers
67

Introduction To Ornamental Horticulture and The Landscape Industry

Hochgeladen von

Dokumentinformationen

Originaltitel

Copyright

Verfügbare Formate

Dieses Dokument teilen

Dokument teilen oder einbetten

Freigabeoptionen

Stufen Sie dieses Dokument als nützlich ein?

Sind diese Inhalte unangemessen?

Copyright:

Verfügbare Formate

Introduction To Ornamental Horticulture and The Landscape Industry

Hochgeladen von

Copyright:

Verfügbare Formate

Study Guide

About the Author

Copyright 2012 by Penn Foster, Inc.

LESSON 1: THE CRAFTS OF ORNAMENTAL

LESSON 2: THE PROFESSIONS OF ORNAMENTAL

LESSON 3: THE SHIFT TO SUSTAINABLE

The primary focus of the landscape technology program is

Discuss historical aspects of ornamental horticulture

The landscape industry is just one of many specialty trades

Identify the individual crafts that make up the broader

Describe the opportunities for employment in the

Identify the qualifications for employment in each area

Discuss the psychological and physical abilities required

Describe the relationships among the professions of

Explain reasons for the growing interest and demand

Identify the key concepts and benefits of sustainable

Discuss business opportunities in sustainable landscapes

A lesson assignments page with a schedule of study

Introductions to lessons and assignments, which

Self-checks and answers to help you assess your

A research project that youll complete and submit

2. Your course textbooks, Ornamental Horticulture: Science,

Remember to regularly check My Courses on your student homepage.

Lesson 1: The Crafts of Ornamental Horticulture

Ingels, Chapter 10,

Ingels, Chapter 11,

Lesson 2: The Professions of Ornamental Horticulture

Ingels, Chapter 15,

Ingels, Chapter 15,

Ingels, Chapter 16,

Ingels, Chapter 17,

Ingels, Chapter 18,

Lesson 3: The Shift to Sustainable Landscapes

Dell, pages 153161

Describe the differences in garden styles among cultures

Identify pivotal points in the advancement of ornamental

The Crafts of Ornamental

Describe the materials and design principles used in the

Explain the challenges of using plants in interior

Discuss historical influences on the craft of landscape

Explain the process and objectives of contemporary

Identify the procedures and tools used in the craft of

Describe the issues and procedures encountered in the

Why study history? Whats the point of reading about people

Introduction to Ornamental Horticulture and the Landscape Industry

and other influences that can be seen in the variety of garden

a. Thomas Jeffersons country estate

b. Environmental advocate and author of the book Silent

3. Gardens of the Orient

4. Fredrick Law Olmsted

d. Designed to feature plants and other elements of the

e. Master of the French formal garden style

c. Earliest civilization to cultivate plants for aesthetic purposes

Prior to this invention, scythes or grazing animals were

g. The father of landscape architecture in America

______ 10. Ancient Rome

h. Rejected the formal garden style of France in favor of a

j. Walled and paved garden style that incorporated water

Check your answers with those on page 61.

Introduction to Ornamental Horticulture and the Landscape Industry

ASSIGNMENT 2: FLORAL DESIGN

Throughout history, flowers have had an essential place in

With the onset of winter, an additional opportunity presents