This study uses landscape architecture textbooks from the Republic of China as the object. It uses the text analysis method to examine and study the critical perspective of landscape architecture textbooks in constructing Chinese landscape architecture from a historical perspective. Based on the cognitive process and main characteristics of modern horticulture by gardening scholars in the Republic of China, this paper sorts out the key points of the presentation of gardening textbooks in the construction of the Republic of China, analyzes their characteristic evolution from “single” to “multidisciplinary”, and observes the translation from “LA” to “horticulture” under the modern transformation. It is found that China’s landscape architecture first accepted the concept of horticulture in the early Republic of China, and secondly, accepted the idea of forest and architecture in the process of exploring the essence, and combined it with traditional Chinese culture in the three disciplines, laying the foundation of today’s landscape architecture. This study is helpful to explore the characteristics of modern landscape architecture in China from its origin. It is of great value to re-examine the origin and construction of Chinese landscape architecture.