# Essential Landscape Lingo: Designers

If you’re undertaking a landscape project of any sort, you’re likely to encounter a lot of industry-specific terminologies. Keep this reference guide handy as you navigate through the world of outdoor improvements.

For more, see our guides to Talking like a Designer, Talking like a Nurseryman, and Talking like a Gardener.

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## Talking like a Designer

Learning the language of outdoor features will help ease communication with design-minded consultants.

**accent** - the use of a plant or object to draw attention to, or punctuate, space  
**allée** - a walk bordered with trees or clipped hedges  
**arbor** - a latticework structure often used as a decorative passageway between garden spaces  
**deck** - a raised platform, often made of wood  
**drip line** - an imaginary circle around a plant’s outermost branches, also the area to protect  
**edging** - a material (like brick, plastic, stone, or metal) used as a border around planted areas  
**gazebo** - a freestanding structure with a solid, pitched roof and open sides  
**groundcover** - low-growing plants that create a uniform appearance over an area  
**hardscape** - nonliving fixtures, like paths, decks, or walls (may be brick, stone, wood, etc.)  
**hedge** - shrubs that give a wall-like appearance, used to screen views or separate areas  
**naturalize** - planting without a pattern, to create the effect of finding them in the wild  
**ornamental grasses** - those left to grow to their full height, without mowing  
**patio** - an uncovered and paved outdoor area  
**pergola** - a freestanding structure with an open roof supported by posts or columns  
**porch** - a covered shelter in front of the entrance of a building (also called a veranda)  
**portico** - a structure attached to a building with a roof supported by columns at regular intervals  
**retaining wall** - a structure that holds back water and earth  
**softscape** - all the living organisms installed in a yard  
**topiary** - controlling plant growth by pruning or shearing into a decorative shape  
**trellis** - a flat latticework surface often used to support plants  
**veranda** - a covered area attached to the home for outdoor living area