You have identified the element of time and growth as a big difference, but have perhaps overlooked the element of natural lighting and how it changes during the day and seasons, and how it can be manipulated through both structure and plantings. Architecture perhaps comes closest in also dealing with light, but usually in a much more fixed way.

I feel that to attain some competency in landscape design, you must get analytical about how gardens you enjoy are put together, how they manipulate space, light, plantings, etc to create a mood. There really is no substitute for getting out and seeing good examples of garden design, and also thinking about how the results were achieved.

If you don't have good gardens to check out close to hand, then books are a good second alternative. Plus it never hurts to be able to talk about garden design with fellow designers, and get their input.

There are universal aspects to design, as you have mentioned. However, skill in designing within a particular realm is also based on the knowledge of the mediums used. Although you may have a good intent, vision, or concept, realizing it may be made more difficult if you don't know how to manipulate the materials appropriately.

- Audric

Probably the biggest difference is that your primary medium in LD is alive and therefore subject to a huge number of variables and constantly subject to change. Most other common design media - graphic, interior, fashion, architectural - are inanimate and pretty much static.

Are you struggling with the design process, as in preparing a sketch/rendering or in the implementation of a plan? A garden plan/design on paper is only as good as the person maintaining those plants.

As Gardengal mentioned plants are not the same as a couch or a coat of paint. Plants require upkeep and talking to. Also Great garden pictures are also taken in-season when there are at their most vital... go see that same garden off-season.

Texture is another example you should be concerned with just like in interior design. Plant textures play a role in four seasons. Some people like all evergreen but inserting deciduous also gives the landscape dimension, depth. Knowing the habits of the plants that you are thinking about plays a role. All vase shaped plants are kind of boring just as hedges are. Abrupt changes add to the plan. Some people think that you can not change from a straight line into a curved amoeba type line, but you can. Sense vistas opening up areas, closing areas down areas making people wonder what's beyond. Do not give them the full picture, if you have a lot of property to work with.

Here is a link that might be useful: Propagating Perennials

When you say you struggle with design in the landscape, I wonder what elements are not meeting your expectations? What has disappointed you?

Interesting, because I went the opposite direction taking landscape princples and methods to the interior. I don't know much about all the types or styles of furniture, fabrics, or paints, but I knew how to layout the general form and function of each room. So I think it is in being knowledgable and comfortable with the medium of expression of the design end product.

For a house layout, the pathways are already defined, the "garden rooms" are already established, no ugly views to hid, no utility boxes or pipes, and heights are already established, which is not the case outside.

Maybe by analogy how would you go about designing the interior of a very warehouse room or loft 3,000 sq feet that doesn't have any interior partions, exposed utilities, and high ceilings?

Isabella, you make a good point about the scale/scope of the design. That is often where people encounter difficulty - putting the cart ahead of the horse; trying to work with spaces that aren't even defined yet.

- Audric

Virtually all of the discussion here refers specifically to PLANTING design. Lots of accurate comments on the different aspects of color, size, form, texture, growth and cultural requirements. Thousands of choices involving biology, botany, and entomology with a range of sizes from a few inches to over one hundred feet.

As a Landscape Designer, much of my work involves designing walks, driveways, patios, decks, fencing, arbors et al. I design and work with ponds, waterfalls and pools. There is a component of architectural design and construction that goes far beyond graphic (my original educational path) or interior design.

Your great thoughts and insights are greatly appreciated. I think I get stuck because there aren't enough "givens" or constraints. Inside a home, there are specifics that everyone wants: long sight lines, conversational groupings, a mix of wide-open welcoming spaces and cozy intimate spaces. I appreciate the challenge of making this happen in all kinds of settings. But outside of the home there are so few constraints, and I find it difficult to "problem-solve" when the structure isn't there yet.

I like Isabella's analogy a lot. My struggle is that I can't create the sense of cohesion that I want, and although I can do calm, I can't seem to create visual drama in a way that gives me pleasure. The comments about light from bahia help me recognize that actually, I'm at the pre-verbal stage of landscape design!

I agree with Bahia. You are satisfied with interior designing and graphic designing, but look at the inventory you are working with! Years of experience and thousands of visual impressions that you have seen, walked through, touched, and even heard. You need to accumulate some inventory, Lynnski. You need to see, walk through, feel, and listen to dozens of gardens, hundreds of gardens, so you accumulate an inventory. Train your eye for discernment about what gives pleasure in one garden but with almost the exact same plants, a different garden causes a feeling of boredom or dissonance.

There are some good books out there that show some comparisons like this for gardens, just like the ones you studied for graphic design. These guided comparisons will fill in for some of your necessary inventory.

"Room Outside" by John Brookes was very helpful to me when I started. I noticed he has a whole bunch of books out there on garden design. I think you'd like it because like the title says, he approaches the garden as another room of the house, only outside. =^)

The difference is the level of control that you have over it. Most of the posts above point out various elements that you have to accept. Interior or architectural design almost always has the option of changing the condition to suit your needs. Landscape design is much more about adapting to the conditions presented to you.

The Architect or Interior Designer's hardest to deal with variable is the client. The client is just another one of those many variables to an LD.

Would anyone agree with me that a typical trait of an architect is to have a very controlling personality? Those of you who have done landscape design on a project where the homeowner had an architect may have found that the architect expects you to do what (s)he wants despite what you or even the homeowner has in mind?

If you think about it, it makes sense. The furniture does not fit in the plan - make the room bigger. Not enough light - add a window. Three person hot tub - bump out the wall three feet (and see a psychologist). In other words, (s)he can make anything work by manipulating the condition in which it has to fit.

Contrast that to dealing with climate, soil, the building that the architect left you with (kidding, sort of), site specific micro climates or weather related conditions (ie, ocean winds), neighbor's play area at the property line 12'from the spa deck (if you are into three person hot tubs this is probably not a problem), a 60' shade tree just over the property line near your proposed pool, view of a coal plant, being surrounded by properties that all pitch into yours, ... I could go on forever. All of these conditions can be mitigated, but none of them can actually be changed.

It takes a lot more understanding of variables in order to identify them and then to adapt to them. I'm not saying it is harder or takes more talent. I'm only saying that it is a very different way of thinking.

Its not just an art media.

I notice that a lot of people, myself included, have difficulty when dealing with perception of space outside(the actual dimensions, I mean), versus that inside. Spaces sized appropriately for interiors of buildings do not have the same effect when translate out of doors. It may have to deal with the fact that the relative space with which you are working is much, much larger.

- Audric

I'm married to an architect, so I want to respond to laag's question about architects being controlling. I think that when you hire an architect, ideally you are entering into a design "conversation" with that person. Open, honest dialogue about what your needs are, and what your budget is must take place. No one can read your mind about what your vision of the final project might be. Sometimes your personalities might clash, or you might feel that he or she is not listening to you, and when that happens, you definitely need to find another designer. It helps to see some of the work your designer has done. Yes, sometimes my husband likes to have control of some aspect of our home and garden, but I get my say too.