Landscaping is an art, a profession, a practice, and for some, simply a hobby. In definite terms, it is a piece of art, which involves everything right from the designing to the installation, and the maintenance of the outdoor living environment.

Its popularity is due to the fact that it results in improving the natural beauty of an area of land with the help of basic methods like planting or changing the contours of the ground.

Landscaping as a profession dates back to the mid-1800s. But it has been practiced for thousands of years in the form of an art. For example, many Roman homes built between 400 B.C. and 400 A.D. had elaborate courtyards. France in the 1600s and 1700s was known for its magnificent city gardens. Frederick Law Olmstead, an American, was the first person to call himself a landscape architect.

The sole purpose of landscaping is not only to beautify the gardens. Some people practice landscaping because of special concerns connected with water conservation. Landscape designs can have water as a feature of the ongoing preservation plan for the garden. The right landscaping design can maximize naturally occurring elements that will do away with pests and also rejuvenate plants and trees. Landscaping is helpful in lowering the temperature in summer and reducing noise levels. According to a recent study, it has been shown that correct landscaping can lead to an increase in the value of a house by as much as 10 percent.

Compared to the brighter side, the inconvenience caused by landscaping is minimal. At times landscaping can be very dirty and heavy work even for the landscape professionals. Also, it can be a physically challenging job.