Perceptions of the importance of plant material knowledge by practicing landscape architects in the southeastern United States

Abstract

This study evaluates the attitudes and perceptions of practicing landscape architects in the southeastern United States with regards to the importance of horticultural knowledge for their profession. A 20-question survey instrument was mailed to 120 landscape architects who were listed as members of the American Society of Landscape Architects. The survey included various questions related to education and experience of the respondents and their peers with plants. The response rate was 52.5% (n = 63) and the majority of respondents were seasoned landscape architects in the states of Louisiana, Mississippi, Arkansas, Tennessee, Alabama, Georgia, and Florida that primarily served residential and commercial markets. The results from this study showed that the population of respondents strongly felt that plant knowledge is an important part of their professional skills, and recent graduates of landscape architecture and the profession as a whole appear more distanced from having strong plant expertise. Despite the increasing challenges for more formal plant education, there continues to be a need for both formal and informal extended education classes.