CPH CPH Landscape Design and Installation 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: In landscape design, a 'sight line' is best described as:
- A surveyed boundary line on the property
- A visual path that guides the eye toward a focal point (Correct answer)
- The line of sight from the street to the front door
- The maximum height allowed by local ordinance
Correct answer: A visual path that guides the eye toward a focal point
A sight line is a carefully controlled visual path that directs the viewer's eye through the landscape to a focal point or beyond.
Question 2: At approximately what slope percentage do most horticulturists recommend implementing erosion control measures for planted areas?
- Greater than 3%
- Greater than 10%
- Greater than 25% (Correct answer)
- Greater than 50%
Correct answer: Greater than 25%
Slopes exceeding approximately 25% (roughly a 1:4 ratio) typically require erosion control measures such as ground covers, retaining walls, or erosion-control matting.
Question 3: In landscape design, 'scale' is best defined as:
- The total weight of installed plant material
- The proportional relationship between landscape elements and their surroundings (Correct answer)
- The measurement of soil pH relative to plant needs
- The cost per square foot of a landscape installation
Correct answer: The proportional relationship between landscape elements and their surroundings
Scale describes the proportional relationship between landscape elements, the built environment, and the human figure, and is key to creating a cohesive design.
Question 4: A 'dry-laid' stone wall is characterized by which construction method?
- Stones set in portland cement mortar
- Stones interlocked without mortar, relying on gravity and friction (Correct answer)
- Pre-cast concrete blocks with rebar reinforcement
- Stones adhered with epoxy-based adhesive
Correct answer: Stones interlocked without mortar, relying on gravity and friction
A dry-laid wall is constructed without mortar; the stones' weight and interlocking shapes provide structural integrity.
Question 5: When selecting plants for a landscape site, which factor is MOST important to evaluate first?
- Current availability at local nurseries
- Unit cost of the plant material
- Site conditions including hardiness zone, soil, and light exposure (Correct answer)
- The designer's personal aesthetic preference
Correct answer: Site conditions including hardiness zone, soil, and light exposure
Matching plant selections to site conditions—climate, soil type, drainage, and light—is the single most critical factor for long-term plant success.
Question 6: What does 'phased installation' mean in a landscape construction project?
- Scheduling planting during specific lunar phases
- Completing the landscape in planned stages over time to manage cost and sequencing (Correct answer)
- Programming the irrigation system to run in timed phases
- Staggering plant heights in a sequence from front to back
Correct answer: Completing the landscape in planned stages over time to manage cost and sequencing
Phased installation breaks a landscape project into logical stages implemented over time, allowing clients to manage budget while progressing toward the complete design.
CPH CPH Landscape Design and Installation 2
In landscape design, a 'sight line' is best described as: