Landscape Architect
A Chartered Member of the Landscape Institute (CMLI), a landscape architect designs outdoor spaces at all scales from private gardens to public parks. Often required by planning conditions on larger developments for planting schemes, public realm design and landscape impact assessments.
See all 14 professions belowAll garden & outdoor professions
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Landscape Architect
CMLI. Designs outdoor spaces from private gardens to public parks. Required for planning condition landscape schemes.
Garden & OutdoorGarden Designer
Designs planting schemes, garden layouts and outdoor living spaces. SGD (Society of Garden Designers) membership is a quality indicator. Not a regulated title.
Garden & OutdoorHard Landscaper
Constructs patios, paths, walls, fences, decking and driveways. APL (Association of Professional Landscapers) membership indicates quality. CSCS card expected on larger projects.
Garden & OutdoorSoft Landscaper / Groundskeeper
Plants trees, shrubs and perennials, installs turf and maintains established gardens. RHS qualifications indicate horticultural knowledge.
Garden & OutdoorHorticulturist
Specialist in plant science, cultivation and management. RHS Level 3 or above, or a relevant degree. Works on complex planting schemes, restoration of historic gardens and specialist plant collections.
Garden & OutdoorArboriculturist / Tree Surgeon
Cares for trees - pruning, felling, crown reduction and tree surveys. AA (Arboricultural Association) membership and NPTC qualifications are standard. Required for trees with TPOs.
Garden & OutdoorIrrigation Specialist
Designs and installs automated irrigation and watering systems. IIAUK membership indicates professional standards.
Garden & OutdoorPond and Water Feature Specialist
Designs and constructs garden ponds, streams, fountains and rill features. BALI (British Association of Landscape Industries) members adhere to a code of conduct.
Garden & OutdoorOutdoor Lighting Designer
Designs and installs exterior lighting for gardens, driveways and building facades. Electrical installation must be carried out by a Part P registered electrician.
Garden & OutdoorDecking and Fencing Installer
Constructs timber and composite decking, fencing and pergola structures. Building Regulations apply to raised decking over 30cm from ground level.
Garden & OutdoorDriveway Installer
Installs block paving, tarmac, gravel and resin-bound driveways. Permeable surfaces over 5 sq m do not require planning permission; impermeable surfaces usually do. SuDS compliance required in many areas.
Garden & OutdoorSports Turf Specialist
Designs and maintains lawns, sports pitches and golf courses. BIGGA (British and International Golf Greenkeepers Association) and IOG qualifications for sports turf.
Garden & OutdoorHistoric Garden Conservator
Restores and conserves historic and registered gardens. IHBC and Landscape Institute membership. Required on registered historic parks and gardens.
Garden & OutdoorEcologist / Ecological Designer
Designs ecologically rich planting schemes to support biodiversity net gain requirements. MCIEEM membership. Increasingly required for planning applications.
Garden & outdoor qualifications explained
Several professional bodies regulate garden and outdoor professions. Here is what the key qualifications and memberships mean.
Chartered Membership of the Landscape Institute is the primary qualification for landscape architects in the UK. Requires a recognised degree, structured work experience and a professional review. CMLI holders are required by most local planning authorities for planning condition landscape schemes.
SGD membership is the principal quality indicator for garden designers in the UK. Members must demonstrate professional experience, design ability and adhere to a code of conduct. Garden designer is not a regulated title, so SGD membership is an important differentiator.
Approved Contractor and Registered Consultant status from the Arboricultural Association are the key quality indicators for tree surgeons and arboriculturists. AA Registered Consultants are required for BS 5837 tree surveys used in planning applications. NPTC chainsaw certificates confirm safe working qualifications.
RHS Level 2 Certificate in Horticulture is an entry-level qualification for groundskeepers and gardeners. RHS Level 3 Diploma demonstrates advanced plant knowledge. RHS Level 4 Diploma is the highest qualification and is suitable for specialist horticultural roles including historic garden restoration.
BALI members must meet entry standards covering insurance, qualifications and business conduct. Full BALI membership is a reliable quality indicator for hard landscapers, pond specialists and general landscaping contractors working on larger domestic and commercial projects.
Always ask any garden or outdoor professional for a current Public Liability Insurance certificate before work begins. Tree surgeons and arboriculturists should hold specialist arboricultural PLI given the higher risk nature of tree work. A minimum of £2 million cover is standard.