By Andi Anderson
Students in Ohio State University’s Department of Horticulture and Crop Science recently gained valuable hands-on experience by transforming classroom landscape designs into real garden installations. The project highlighted the importance of combining creativity, technical knowledge, and practical skills to create successful landscapes.
The experience was part of Laura Deeter, professor of Sustainable Landscape Design in the Department of Horticulture and Crop Science at Ohio State University Extension and the College of Food, Agricultural, and Environmental Sciences (CFAES), course. Through a partnership with Green Legacy, a commercial plant grower located in Orient, Ohio, students had the opportunity to apply classroom concepts in a professional environment.
The collaboration began when a Green Legacy grower, who is also an Ohio State Extension alumnus, invited students to use the company's trial gardens as part of their educational experience. The partnership allowed students to work with a wide variety of plants and design landscape projects under conditions similar to those faced by professionals in the industry.
Students were challenged to create commercial-quality landscape plans while considering practical factors such as plant selection, arrangement, color coordination, texture, and overall visual appeal. Access to Green Legacy's plant inventory gave students the opportunity to test their ideas and gain experience working with real materials rather than simply developing designs on paper or computer screens.
The semester concluded with the Green Legacy Trial Garden Open House, where the landscape beds designed and installed by the students were showcased to visitors. This event allowed students to see their creative visions become reality and share their work with industry professionals and the public.
Discussing the value of industry collaboration, Deeter said:
"Partnering with industry is important for networking, participating in 'real world' activities and getting to experience challenges that exist in every landscape situation that aren't readily apparent on paper," said Deeter.
For Joel Ford, spring 2026 graduate and Ohio State ATI alumnus, the project provided important career preparation. He created a monochromatic landscape design featuring shades of orange and gained experience managing a project from concept to completion.
"This course stood out because it allowed us to be hands-on and develop a project from the initial plan and proposal all the way through installation," Ford said. "Seeing the finished design in place helped prepare me for a career in landscape design."
Another participant, Allison Lockhart, junior horticulture student, designed a garden bed that balanced contrasting colors, textures, and plant forms. She found it rewarding to see her digital plans transformed into a physical landscape.
"Seeing my final design, which mainly was color-coded dots to show plant placement and how various colors looked next to each other turn into a life-size work of art was fascinating," Lockhart said. "It made all the work I put into the project in class feel worthwhile and showed me that what I had envisioned could actually come to life in the garden."
Students also benefited from learning about teamwork and the broader horticulture industry. Ryan Culp, landscape business owner and student expected to graduate in 2028, created a circular landscape bed featuring contrasting annual plants.
Reflecting on the experience, Culp said:
"From this experience, I gained a greater appreciation for the community within the green industry," Culp said. "It's always fulfilling to see a design go from an idea to a reality."
The project demonstrates how partnerships between universities and industry leaders can enhance student learning. By working on real landscape installations, students gained practical design experience, strengthened problem-solving skills, expanded professional networks, and developed confidence in their abilities.
Through opportunities like these, future horticulture professionals can better understand the challenges and rewards of landscape design while preparing for successful careers in the growing green industry.
Photo Credit: gettyimages-poike
Categories: Ohio, Education