Regrettable Return of Questionable Landscaping Style from Past
Ready to say goodbye to these outdated landscaping trends? Let's get the skinny on some clichéd designs that are passe and give a modern, fresh twist to your yard!
8 Past-their-Prime Landscape Trends to Abandon this Spring
Adam Millhouse, co-founder of Millhouse Howell Landscape Company in Birmingham, Alabama, shares his insights on what landscape designers desperately want to see fade away.
The Unwanted Landscape Trend Professionals Dislike
Overstuffing your planting beds is a big no-no, according to Adam Millhouse. "One recurring issue we frequently tackle in current landscapes is overrun foundation plantings and oversized shrub borders," says Millhouse. "While they might look nice initially, they eventually turn into a tangled, unmanageable mess after 5 to 10 years."
Rushing to fill up planting spaces can lead to an overgrown mess of entangled plants. To cultivate the perfect outdoor oasis, treat it like you would your home interior—make adjustments and tweaks as you go along. This method allows you to determine what works best in each area, including your plantings.
Why You Must Quit Overcrowding Your Plants
Let your house breathe! "When we eliminate old plantings, the house gains a new sense of space, and it becomes clear that simplicity is usually the best strategy," Millhouse noted. A well-planned landscape with strategic trees, attractive anchor plants, suitable ground covers, and an expansive lawn remains in vogue.
AppearanceOverstuffed plants create a messy, disorganized landscape and may become breeding grounds for unwanted pests and fungal diseases. If not maintained properly, these problems can spread, making it increasingly difficult to manage your landscape. Overgrown plants may also damage your home's foundation, siding, and windows.
CostOvercrowding your plants results in increased expenses, both when purchasing surplus plants and later when dealing with plants that may not thrive due to insufficient light or moisture. To avoid overspending, be sure to allot ample space between each plant, taking their mature size into account. Also, vary the height, scale, and type of your shrubs, flowers, and ground cover plants. Use mulch or pine straw between the plants to create a polished look while preventing overcrowding.
Say goodbye to the past and welcome a fresh, modern landscape!
- To achieve an appealing curb appeal, avoid the common mistake of overcrowding your planting beds, a practice that Adam Millhouse, co-founder of Millhouse Howell Landscape Company, advises against.
- Overstuffed plants not only create a chaotic and unmanageable landscape, but they can also become breeding grounds for pests and diseases, further complicating landscaping maintenance.
- By abandoning the practice of overcrowding, you can breathe life into your home's exterior, transforming it through strategic placement of trees, attractive anchor plants, and a well-planned layout that complements your property.
- Neglecting proper spacing between plants can lead to increased costs, as you'll need to purchase more plants than necessary and deal with those that may not thrive due to insufficient light or moisture.
- To maintain a polished and modern landscape, Millhouse recommends allocating ample space between each plant, considering their mature size, and varying the height, scale, and type of your shrubs, flowers, and ground cover plants while using mulch or pine straw to prevent overcrowding.
