I've been researching landscape design software for several months and have looked at about ten different programs. In my opinion, PROLandscapes is greatly overpriced. It costs about $1,300, yet it lacks some things that you can find in software that is under $100. For example, there is a program called
Realtime Landscaping PRO made by Idea Spectrum that offers not only photo imaging and 2-D site planning like PROLandscapes but it also has actual 3-D capability. That is, you can create a three-dimensional model with detailed terrain elevations and do a virtual walk-through of the site. And it's only $60!!!!
Another good one with a low price is
GrowIt Gold which does not have the 3-D capability like Realtime Landscaping PRO but it does have photo imaging with cloning, a good 2-D mode for creating top-down site plans, and a massive plant database. And the price of this one is $138 (if I remember correctly).
In other words, you could buy these two programs for about $200 and you'd have more useful features and information than PROLandscapes. About the only thing you'll lack is an estimating function which could be helpful but I doubt that it is worth the $1100 difference that you'd pay for it.
If you really want to get into more sophisticated 3-D modeling software such as a high-priced landscape architect might use, then you ought to check out
VectorWorks LANDMARK which is a stand-alone program, or you can use one of several programs designed for use with the AutoCAD platform. I believe that the VectorWorks program is about the same price as PROLandscapes. AutoCAD based software will cost you more because you have to buy the AutoCAD platform to run it, which is around $900.
Stuart