Landscape Original

Landscape Original

Some Problems With Landscaping

Everyone dreams of having an almost-perfect landscape. With perfect greenery, impressive patios and fascinating gazebos, such landscapes are to create ambiance. But landscaping is not as easy as it sounds. Creating one attracts these common landscape problems.

What are the problems? And how does a landscape designer and planner avoid them?

1. Making the house look displaced in the landscape

The landscape designer should remember that the front yard or back yard and the house must coordinate. It is inappropriate to landscape without considering the house first. Style and the colors of the landscape must go hand in hand with the design of the house.

2. Underestimating the landscaping costs

People must face it - landscaping is a pretty expensive project. From choosing the materials to hiring laborers, it is going to be more costly than one could ever imagine. One must be realistic enough to know how much he can afford.

3. Forgetting all about landscaping lights

A landscape designer should take lighting into consideration. The landscape must be thoroughly enjoyed even after sundown. Lights must be set up for the patio and along walkways for maximum enjoyment.

4. Ignoring family's needs

One of the reasons a landscape is put up is to accommodate family members' requests like a playground, an ideal place for crocheting, etc. The landscape designer must try to fulfill such needs.

5. Putting everything in the backyard.

A backyard is perfect for landscaping but how about the front yard or the side yard? The designer must allot a space in front yards and/or side yards for benches, flower beds and other garden decorations.

6. Imitating neighbors' landscapes.

Originality is the key. If one likes the neighbor's backyard, that's fine, but he must not be carried away and copy everything. He should have an original design.

7. Overdoing the straight lines

The designer must add curves and not get too fixated on straight lines. Curves are always interesting and they emulate a forest-like feel.

8. Forgetting the boundary

The landscape designer must use some things to define the boundary of the garden -- whether it is a fence, a hedge, or a border. Skipping this important element might make the garden seem cluttered and unorganized.

Landscaping must be made fun. To come up with an outstanding garden, knowledge of these common landscape problems is imperative to keep everything moving smoothly. A well-attended, carefully-planned garden makes for a better living.

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Questions about plantings with landscape fabric?

Hi, I am very new to gardening. So my question may seem silly to some, probably with a obvious answer. But please humor me.
I need to know if I can use bulb plants such as canna, callas, and gladiolus in a bed with landscape fabric under a layer of pine bark mulch. I am concerned that the fabric will interfere with the plants natural tendency to reproduce and spread. Or will it actually help the original plant to grow stronger and prettier by forcing all its energy into the original planting.
Again the answer may seem obvious to an expert gardener, but as I said, I'm no expert and I want to grow the strongest healthiest bulb plants possible. PS the bed in question is on the west side of my house, up against the house, if this helps.
Thanks for your answers
I do have holes cut for the original plants which are about 12" tall.

I think your instincts are right on!!!!!

I have been a professional gardener for many years, and I loath, loath, loath landscape fabric.

If your garden is small, here is what I think, and I know it sounds like a lot of work...but that is part of the deal with gardening. I would slowly remove sections of that landscape fabric. For a garden to truly thrive, you are going to want to keep building your soil. Bark mulch isn't bad...but the best mulch is compost, (your own or bought from a local farm/garden center), since compost builds the soil and provides plant nutrients, attracts worms for aeration, and retains moisture/repels heat. I add a fresh layer of compost to all of the gardens I tend every spring, and then again in fall. You can slowly add compost right in with that bark mulch, but remove the fabric as you go!

Of course your bulbs would probably bloom the first year no matter what you do. But you seem to want thriving plants! And you seem to truly want to learn about gardening.

There are several fantastic books out there on garden maint. One of them is written by Tracy DiSabato Aust.

The most important part of gardening is soil care. If you are investing your time and money in a garden, you want it to reward you back. My suggestion to you, from the bottom of my flower beds.....learn about soil and mulch!

Also check out Brent and Becky's Bulbs online. They are a wonderful source of information on bulb care, and also great inspiration on plantings.

Good luck to you!

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