When designing your landscape, you often focus on what to do, but it’s just as essential to understand what to avoid. Being mindful of common mistakes can make a big difference in the success of your project.These top ten landscaping mistakes are more common than you might think, but don’t stress if you’ve made one or two. You have the knowledge and tools to correct them and enhance your outdoor space.

The 10 Most Common Landscaping Mistakes You Should Avoid h2
Missing a cohesive theme in your design
A successful landscape design begins with a consistent theme. Without a clear theme to tie everything together, your landscape can quickly become chaotic and disorganized, losing its intended charm.
Here’s why having a theme is crucial:
- It creates a cohesive and visually appealing space.
- Whether simple or intricate, a theme ensures harmony in your design.
- A well-chosen theme enhances both the beauty and functionality of your garden.
Your theme can be as straightforward as following a specific shape or as elaborate as designing a Japanese Zen garden. For more inspiration and guidance, check out the resources from Lotus Landscape: Landscape Design: Finding Inspiration for a Design Theme.
Overlooking how big the plant will get
This mistake is closely related to choosing the wrong plant for the wrong place. The plant you pick up from the nursery might seem perfect in size at first, but it won’t stay that way forever. It’s essential to research the maximum height and width each plant can reach and plan accordingly to allow room for growth.
Here’s what to keep in mind:
- Research the mature size of each plant.
- Space plants far enough apart to avoid overcrowding.
- Choose plants that naturally grow to your desired size and shape.
We often see plants that are excessively pruned to maintain a certain size or shape, like the infamous crape murder. This not only makes maintenance harder but can also harm the plant’s health. If you envision a specific size or shape for your trees or shrubs, select plants that will naturally achieve those dimensions at maturity without needing constant pruning.
Choosing plants that don’t belong in their spot
Wouldn’t it be great if landscaping was as simple as placing a plant where it looks best? Unfortunately, it’s not that easy. The light, moisture, and soil conditions of your chosen spot must align with the specific needs of the plant. This attention to detail is crucial for ensuring your plants thrive.
Here’s what to consider:
- Match the plant’s needs with the site’s light, moisture, and soil conditions.
- Understand that different plants have different requirements; for instance, hydrangeas thrive in shade with rich, well-drained soil.
- Avoid the costly trial-and-error method by choosing the right plant for the right place from the start.
Take hydrangeas, for example. If you plant them in full sun, clay-heavy soil that tends to stay wet, they’ll quickly deteriorate. By selecting the right plant for the right spot initially, you’ll save time, money, and effort while creating a thriving, beautiful landscape.
Neglecting to plan for resource efficiency
Nothing dampens the excitement of a newly installed landscape like a sky-high water bill. Fortunately, by choosing drought-tolerant plants, you can significantly reduce water usage—sometimes even to the point where no extra irrigation is necessary. But water isn’t the only factor to consider when planning your landscape.
Here’s what you should keep in mind:
- Opt for drought-tolerant plants to minimize water use.
- Consider the plant’s need for fertilization and pest control.
- Choose low-maintenance plants to save both time and money.
Selecting plants that require minimal upkeep not only cuts down on the time you spend in the garden but also helps reduce costs. By thinking ahead and choosing the right plants, you can enjoy a beautiful, thriving landscape without the added stress of high water bills and constant maintenance.
Swapping natural groundcovers for rock or fake turf
If you’re aiming for a low-maintenance landscape, swapping out groundcovers for rock or artificial turf might seem like an easy solution. However, these options can have unintended consequences, such as not supporting local wildlife and increasing the heat in your yard. Plus, many HOA landscape codes don’t permit gravel or artificial turf, which could limit your choices.
Here’s why you should reconsider:
- Rock and artificial turf don’t support wildlife or pollinators.
- They can significantly increase the heat around your home.
- HOA regulations may restrict the use of gravel or artificial turf.
Instead, opt for low-maintenance groundcovers that offer more benefits. These alternatives not only require less upkeep but also support pollinators and improve the soil quality, giving you a beautiful and sustainable yard without the downsides of artificial options.
Skipping proper site prep before planting
This issue is particularly common when landscaping a newly constructed site. The soil around the foundation of new homes, often referred to as “construction soil,” can be filled with remnants like concrete, paint, adhesives, and grout. Before planting, it’s crucial to prepare or amend this soil to ensure a healthy environment for your plants.
Here’s what you should focus on:
- Prepare or amend construction soil before planting.
- Grade the site properly to ensure good drainage.
- Direct water away from the house using swales or in-ground drain pipes.
Grading is especially important to avoid future drainage problems. You’ll want to slope the ground away from your home and guide water into designated areas, ensuring it flows away safely. Taking these steps now can save you from significant headaches down the road.
Selecting the wrong groundcover for your needs
Grass is often considered the go-to groundcover, but it’s not always the best choice. In certain situations, like shady spots, steep slopes, or small, hard-to-maintain areas, grass might not thrive or could require excessive upkeep. In these cases, it’s better to explore alternative groundcovers that better suit the conditions of your landscape.
Here’s why you might want to reconsider using grass:
- Grass struggles in shady areas and on steep slopes.
- Maintaining grass in small, awkward spaces can be challenging.
- Other groundcover options are often less resource-intensive and require less maintenance.
There are many alternatives to grass that can thrive in various conditions. These options not only reduce the need for watering and mowing but can also enhance the beauty and sustainability of your landscape, making it easier to manage and more enjoyable to spend time in.
Planting too close to your home’s foundation
Planting right up to the foundation of your house might seem like a good idea, but it can cause more problems than it solves. When plants don’t have enough space to grow, it often leads to excessive pruning, which can harm the plant and make it harder to keep your home looking neat.
Here’s why planting too close to your foundation is a mistake:
- It restricts plant growth, leading to excessive pruning.
- It complicates home maintenance and access.
- Reduced airflow can increase the risk of pest problems.
Instead, consider planting shrubs beyond the roof drip line. This approach gives your plants the room they need to grow naturally, makes maintaining your home easier, and helps prevent pest issues by improving air circulation around your house.
Ignoring maintenance needs in your design
It’s easy to get caught up in making your landscape visually stunning, but unfortunately, what looks great isn’t always easy to maintain. For instance, those trendy curved pathways add a playful touch, but they can be a nightmare to mow around. The same goes for narrow strips of grass or trees scattered far apart instead of grouped in islands. They may look appealing, but they make mowing much more difficult.
Here’s why some designs can complicate maintenance:
- Curved pathways and narrow strips of turf are hard to mow around.
- Scattered trees require more effort to maintain than grouped ones.
- Using multiple types of mulch for designs increases maintenance compared to using a single type.
While it’s important to be creative with your landscape design, remember to keep maintenance in mind. Balancing beauty with practicality will save you time and effort in the long run, allowing you to enjoy your landscape without the stress of constant upkeep.
Accidentally planting invasive species
It’s frustrating, but not all plant nurseries are diligent about avoiding invasive species. When shopping for plants, it’s essential to do a little research to ensure you’re not bringing home an invasive plant that could cause problems down the road. A quick online search can help you determine if a plant is invasive in your area.
Here’s how to safeguard your garden:
- Look up each plant’s invasive status before purchasing.
- Consider shopping at nurseries that specialize in native plants to avoid invasive species altogether.
- Take the time to research now to prevent future headaches from invasive plants taking over your yard.
By doing your homework before buying, you can protect your landscape from the spread of invasive plants, ensuring your garden remains beautiful and manageable in the long run.
Conclusion
Avoiding common landscaping mistakes is key to creating a beautiful and functional outdoor space. By understanding these pitfalls and taking proactive steps, you can ensure your landscape not only looks great but also thrives over time. Establishing a cohesive theme, choosing the right plants for your specific conditions, and prioritizing resource efficiency are all essential to creating a landscape that stands the test of time.At Lotus Landscape, we believe that a well-planned design is the foundation of a stunning and sustainable garden. By being mindful of plant placement, researching to avoid invasive species, and considering maintenance needs from the start, you can craft a landscape that is both beautiful and easy to maintain. Let us help you turn your vision into a reality, creating a landscape that enhances your home and brings you lasting satisfaction.