The Top Five Common Mistakes in Landscape Plantings

Mistake 1: Over-planting.

Small trees and shrubs are often planted too close together to get a "full" look. The result several years later is a crowded landscape. Plants must be removed or drastically pruned to reduce competition.

Solution: Resist the temptation to have an "instant landscape." Know the mature size of plants and give them room—and time—to grow.

Mistake 2: Lawn areas are cluttered with trees and shrubs.

Plants scattered throughout the lawn appear unorganized. They also create maintenance problems in terms of mowing, raking, and giving plants the amount of water and fertilizer they need.

Solution: Group shrubs and trees in mulched plant beds bordering the lawn.

Mistake 3: Shrubs around the home are too tall.

When plants grow too tall they cover windows and no longer enhance the home's appearance. We usually try to compensate for this "mis-planting" by shearing to control the plant size. This constant shearing weakens and disfigures shrubs. It also creates extra work and yard wastes.

Solution: Select foundation plants with an ultimate (mature) size that fits their location. Instead of shearing shrubs, selectively clip stray shoots to keep the plant neat and full.

Mistake 4: Plants are planted too close to the house.

Plants too close to the house have an unattractive "cramped" look and may cause moisture problems by blocking vents.

Solution: Foundation or corner shrubs should be planted half their mature width plus one foot away from the wall. Therefore, a shrub that will grow to be five feet wide should be planted 3 1/2 (2 1/2 + 1) feet away from the house.

Mistake 5: Bright colors are scattered throughout the yard.

Brightly colored foliage, flowers or fruit attract attention. When brilliant color is scattered along the foundation or elsewhere around the yard, it confuses and may overwhelm the viewer.

Solution: Concentrate color where accent is desired. The goal is to attract attention to focal areas of the house.