Certified Professional Horticulturist (CPH) Practice Exam

What factors should good landscape design consider?

1. Form and/or function

2. Symmetry and/or rhythm focal point and/or balance

3. Focal point and/or balance

4. Theme and/or style

The correct answer is: Form and/or function

Good landscape design inherently revolves around the concepts of form and function, making this choice critical to effective design. Form refers to the physical shape and visual characteristics of the landscape, which influence how it is perceived and experienced. It's essential for creating visually appealing spaces that can harmonize with their environment. Function, on the other hand, focuses on the usability of the space. This includes considerations such as accessibility, flow, and the intended activities within the landscape. A well-designed landscape must not only be attractive but also serve its intended purpose efficiently, whether it’s for recreation, relaxation, or practical uses such as gardening. Together, form and function integrate aesthetics with practicality, which is fundamental to successful landscape design. While other choices may contain important design elements like symmetry, rhythm, balance, and theme, they are all subsets of the overarching framework established by form and function, which collectively ensure that a landscape is not only beautiful but also effective and suitable for its intended use.