Landscape Design Cheat Sheet 2026

The 30 highest-yield Landscape Design facts, distilled from real exam questions. Print it, save it as a PDF, or study it here — free, no sign-up.

1. What is the correct time of year to prune spring-flowering shrubs like azaleas in the US? → Immediately after flowering
2. Which soil test result would indicate the need for lime application in a US landscape project? → Low pH (highly acidic soil)
3. What is the minimum recommended slope for surface drainage in planted landscape areas? → 1%
4. What is the 'field capacity' of soil? → The amount of water soil holds after excess drainage has occurred
5. What does gallons per minute (GPM) measure in irrigation system design? → The flow rate of water through the system or individual heads
6. What does a bubble diagram represent in the early design process? → General locations and relationships of functional areas
7. Which organic matter amendment is most commonly incorporated into planting beds to improve soil structure? → Compost
8. When is the best time to prune spring-blooming shrubs such as forsythia or lilac? → Immediately after they finish blooming in spring
9. Which factor is most important to assess for sun exposure during site analysis? → The direction the area faces and shadow patterns throughout the day
10. What is selective pruning versus shearing in shrub maintenance? → Selective pruning removes individual branches; shearing cuts the entire surface uniformly
11. What is a culvert used for in landscape drainage? → A pipe or structure that allows water to flow under a road, path, or other obstruction
12. What does 'bioavailability' mean in the context of soil nutrients for landscape plants? → The portion of a soil nutrient that plants can actually absorb and use
13. Which type of mortar joint is most appropriate for brick paving in a wet climate to prevent water infiltration? → Tooled concave joint
14. What does 'daylighting' a drain mean in landscape design? → Extending a drainage pipe until it opens to the surface at a lower elevation
15. What is the role of a 'focal point' in a landscape design? → To capture attention and anchor the composition
16. How does considering a plant's mature size affect the design process? → It prevents overcrowding and future maintenance problems
17. What is a soil horizon relevant to landscape grading and planting? → A distinct vertical layer of soil with different characteristics
18. Which line type in a landscape tends to create a calm, restful feeling? → Horizontal lines
19. Which soil texture has the highest water-holding capacity? → Clay soil
20. What is a 'spot elevation' on a grading plan? → A specific point on the plan showing the exact finished elevation at that location
21. What role does an irrigation plan play in the landscaping process? → It ensures plants receive adequate water efficiently
22. What is the recommended minimum soil depth for planting a 2-inch caliper shade tree? → 24 inches
23. What is the primary function of a swale in landscape drainage design? → Convey surface water in a shallow, vegetated channel
24. What is efflorescence on masonry surfaces and how is it typically addressed? → White mineral salt deposits removed with dilute acid wash
25. Which soil type requires shorter, more frequent irrigation cycles due to its low infiltration rate? → Clay soil
26. Which soil amendment is most commonly recommended to lower soil pH for acid-loving plants like azaleas? → Elemental sulfur
27. Which outdoor structure requires a building permit in most US jurisdictions? → A deck attached to the house structure exceeding 30 inches in height
28. What is the primary purpose of adding lime to landscape soil? → Raise soil pH to make it less acidic
29. A USDA Plant Hardiness Zone helps a designer determine what? → Which plants can survive the local winter temperatures
30. What is the next step in the planning phase that a landscape designer should take after developing a problem statement? → Establish project goals.