While many people use the terms “landscaper” and “gardener” almost interchangeably, the reality is these are two distinct professions. A professional landscaper incorporates various natural and human-made elements into a landscape to create a harmonious space. These elements may include botanical elements such as plants, flowers, trees, shrubs, and other flora, or decorative hardscaping elements such as pathways, water features, or concrete edge curbing. A professional gardener is usually involved in maintaining the botanical elements found in a landscape. A gardener possesses a fount of knowledge about soil ecology, plant life, water drainage, and even pest infestations and how to recognize them. A gardener likely has a college degree in horticulture or botany, while a landscaper may have a degree or license in landscape architecture and design.