The 5 Biggest Mistakes of Home Landscaping

If you have been a homeowner, you have most likely encountered a landscaper's mistake. It might be a mature tree or shrub that sits too close to the foundation or plants that overlap walkways and have to be cut in ways that ruin their natural shape. It's an all too common problem that most of us have been guilty of causing, yet it can be easily prevented with a few basic considerations.

1. Lack of overview in planning

A homebuilder wouldn't think to build a house one room at a time even if he didn't have to submit blueprints beforehand. A landscaper should have a plan also. This might include hardscape like patios, walkways, and water features as well as irrigation and plant selections. The actual work doesn't have to be completed all at one time. Working in stages is far easier on the budget, and isn't as overwhelming. The important thing is to stick to a plan in order to insure the continuity of a theme or an existing layout.

2. Improper irrigation systems

A home's largest green area is usually the lawn, so the irrigation most likely consists of sprinklers -often on an automatic timer. This water delivery is both inadequate and ineffecient for the deeper rooted flowers, shrubs, and trees- particularly those that have been newly planted and don't have mature root systems. Lawn trees, for instance, will develop shallow roots that often break up foundations and sidewalks because they grab the available moisture near the surface. This can be prevented with deep watering from the time the tree is planted, so that the roots will grow down before spreading outward. Here' s a simple test: run your sprinklers for the normal time duration, then, using a trowel, dig a small area and check to see how deeply the water penetrated. Would the water have reached the roots of your bedding plants?  Perhaps you need to add drip lines, bubblers, or soaker hoses. The same can be true in reverse where you might be overwatering drought-tolerant varieties or damaging the bark of trees from sprinkler spray which can cause serious disease. Deeper and less frequent watering is generally best for both plant vitality and water conservation. Again, planning for the individual needs of the selections in your garden is the best approach.

3. Choosing unsuitable plants for your region

As garden lovers, we can't help but admire the unusual variety of plants we see when visiting out of state and want to bring them home to cultivate in our own environs. Aside from the fact that some species are invasive to non-native areas and may actually introduce problem pests, plants that are not listed for a particular region will always struggle for survival. If a nursery in your area can't get a plant for you, it's usually a pretty good bet that it's a poor choice for your garden. Choose plants that will flourish, since weak plants will harbor both disease and insects that can spread to the rest of your garden. The same goes for avoiding plants that are invasive. These choices go way beyond your own garden, making angry neighbors and actually threatening our native flora. Each state has a published list of "enemy plants" which can easily be found online.

4. Poor choices in relation to windows, walkways, and entryways

It is so important to know both the growth habit and the dimensions of the mature plant when making your selections. When browsing the grounds of a nursery, you might be drawn to a 2 ft. blooming plant in a 5 gal. container and think it perfect for that bare spot under the bedroom window; however, that same shrub will eventually grow to a height of 15 ft. Yikes!! That lovely scented jasmine in full bloom would be a lovely, fragrant welcome in the entryway, but it is an ugly tangled mess when the short-lived blooms are gone. Take special care when choosing palms, cycads ( sago palms), phormiums (New Zealand Flax), and spiny agaves. These specimens can grow quite large, and it is difficult to trim these without ruining the shape and integrity of the plant. There is the added problem of a passerby beng injured on a deadly thorn or scratched by stiff fronds.

5. Poor spacing between plants

It is understandable to want to fulfill that vision you have for your privacy screen, but don't expect instant gratification on a shoestring budget. If you want a tall, tight hedge to keep out a nosy neighbor, be willing to pay more for mature shrubs that are well suited for the job like Ligustrum (privet), eugenia, or brush cherry. Take care not to choose an unsuitable specimen on sale then jam several too close together. I've seen Queen palms and sweetgums planted 3 feet apart!  Proper spacing between plants as well as between plants and structures is very important for specimens of all sizes. Plants need good air circulation to prevent fungal diseases and heat damage from radiation off of reflecting walls.

Not everyone will have the luxury of starting with a blank slate, since most houses come with long- established trees and shrubs. It is still really rewarding to work on customizing your garden areas, but it takes time to narrow down the vast number of choices. Think about whether you want a formal look with neatly clipped shrubs and roses, a more contemporary look with flowing grasses and succulents, or something in between. Be creative! Work with the design elements of your home, but combine and vary shapes for more interest: tall and straight, tight and round, open and branching, loose and feathery, for example. Consider layering for seasonal color and bloom. Choose for similar water needs and sun exposure. Keep your natve wildlife in mind as well as your own lifestyle.

Have a vision but be patient since it will take a few years for your garden to really reach its full promise. If you keep the guidelines on how to avoid the 5 most common mistakes in mind, you can feel confident in creating the outdoor environment that is just right for you!