6 Mistakes Homeowners Make
…That Landscapers HATE to Fix…
#1 Overplanting
While more may be better in some cases, that’s definitely not always true in your landscape. Planting shrubs and trees too closely together may give you instant gratification during the first year, but eventually those plants are going to grow!
Crowded plants compete for available light, water, and growing space. Poor airflow can also increase the risk of certain disease problems, and plants that were once perfectly sized for the bed may begin growing into one another.
Always space plants according to their expected mature size—not how small they look when you bring them home.
HINT: Don’t like those empty spaces while your shrubs are growing? Fill them with colorful annuals until your permanent plants mature!
#2 Not Knowing Your Landscape’s Needs
Before choosing plants, take some time to learn what your landscape actually has to offer. The right plant in the right place will save you a lot of frustration later!
How many hours of direct sunlight does the area receive? Does it get morning sun or our intense East Texas afternoon sun? Is your soil heavy clay, sandy, or somewhere in between? Does the area stay wet after a heavy rain? How easily will you be able to water?
Knowing the answers to these questions will help you choose plants that are naturally suited to your conditions rather than constantly fighting to keep the wrong plants happy.
#3 Starting Without a Plan
Walking into a Garden Center with a “my heart will guide me” mentality can be dangerous—we know because there are a LOT of pretty plants to choose from!
Before you shop, measure your landscape beds and make a rough sketch of the areas you want to plant. Think about mature plant sizes, colors, heights, textures, sunlight, and how everything will work together.
A little planning beforehand can prevent overbuying and help you avoid expensive changes later.
#4 Ignoring the Style of Your Home
Your landscape should complement your home and add to its curb appeal. The architecture and overall style of your house can help guide everything from the shape of your beds to the plants and materials you choose.
That doesn’t mean you have to follow strict landscaping rules! The goal is simply to create a landscape that feels intentional and works with your home rather than competing with it.
HINT: A garden hose is a great tool for experimenting with new bed shapes. Lay it on the ground and move it around until you find curves and lines that work with your home. Once you’re happy with the shape, use it as your guide for creating the new bed.
#5 Planting Too Close to Your Home
That little shrub you’re planting today probably won’t stay little forever! One of the most important things to consider when planting near your house is the plant’s mature height and width.
There isn’t one spacing rule that works for every plant. Instead of automatically leaving a certain number of feet between a plant and your house, check the expected mature width of that particular variety and give it enough room to grow without constantly touching the structure.
Proper spacing can improve airflow, make maintenance easier, and keep shrubs and tree branches from crowding siding, windows, rooflines, walkways, and other structures.
#6 Relying on Pinterest to Design Your Landscape
Pinterest is a wonderful place to find inspiration, but inspiration and a planting plan aren’t always the same thing.
That beautiful landscape you saved may have been photographed in a completely different climate with different soil, rainfall, sunlight, and winter temperatures. Plants that thrive somewhere else may struggle—or not survive at all—in East Texas.
Use those pictures to figure out what you love. Pay attention to colors, textures, plant shapes, and the overall look you’re drawn to. Then choose plants that can create a similar feel while actually being suited to our climate and your individual landscape.
A beautiful landscape doesn’t happen by squeezing in as many pretty plants as possible. Start with a plan, know your growing conditions, give everything room to mature, and choose plants that are right for your space. Your future self—and your landscaper—will thank you!