Landscaper

Career path and progression

With experience you could:

• do a Horticulture and Landscaping Technical Manager Level 5 Higher Apprenticeship to progress into a management role
• become a landscape supervisor or landscape manager
• set up your own landscaping business
• specialise in landscape design
• train future landscapers at a land-based college or training provider

What it takes

Skills and knowledge

You'll need:

• to be thorough and pay attention to detail
• the ability to work well with others
• physical skills like lifting, bending and carrying
• customer service skills
• ambition and a desire to succeed
• physical fitness and endurance
• the ability to work well with your hands
• patience and the ability to remain calm in stressful situations
• to be able to carry out basic tasks on a computer or hand-held device

Related subjects

Most relevant

• Biology - Landscapers work with living plants every day – selecting, planting, and maintaining flowers, shrubs, and trees. Understanding how plants grow, what nutrients they need, and how they interact with soil and climate helps landscapers keep green spaces healthy and thriving.
• Design and Technology - Landscapers build physical structures like paths, walls, water features, and rock gardens using a range of tools, materials, and machinery. Understanding construction techniques, reading plans, and working with different materials are all central to the job.
• Art and Design - Landscapers work from garden designs and need a strong sense of visual composition, colour, and spatial arrangement. Understanding how to combine plants, materials, and features to create an attractive outdoor space is key, especially for those who progress into landscape design.
• Environmental Science - Landscapers increasingly consider sustainability in their work, from using peat-free compost and recycling rainwater to choosing plants that support local ecosystems. Understanding soil health, water management, and environmental impact helps them make greener choices on every project.

Also relevant

• Mathematics - Landscapers measure and calculate areas, volumes, and material quantities when planning and building outdoor features. They also need to estimate costs, order the right amount of supplies, and work accurately from scaled plans and drawings.
• Geography - Landscapers benefit from understanding how climate, weather patterns, soil types, and drainage affect outdoor spaces. This knowledge helps them choose the right plants for a location and design features that work with the natural landscape rather than against it.
• Business - Landscapers often set up their own businesses or work as self-employed contractors. Understanding how to price jobs, manage finances, deal with clients, and market services is important for building a successful landscaping career.
• Physical Education - Landscapers do physically demanding work – lifting heavy materials, digging, bending, and working outdoors in all weathers. A good level of fitness and an understanding of how to look after your body helps prevent injury and sustain a long career in the trade.