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Published on 09/26/01

Top Five Planting Mistakes in Landscapes

Here are the top five planting mistakes in landscapes, say University of Georgia Extension Service experts.

Never plant:

  1. Too many plants for the site. In a few years, overcrowded plants will need to be replaced.
  2. Shrubs that will get too tall for the site. A 1-gallon Burford holly will soon cover the windows and require severe pruning to keep it in check.
  3. Plants that prefer dry soil in wet areas, or sun in shade, or vice versa. If they're not adapted to where you put them, plants won't ever be as healthy as they could be.
  4. Shrubs too close to the house. Put them one-half of their mature diameter plus 1 foot away from the foundation.
  5. Trees and shrubs at random in the yard. Group plants to enhance the home. And put them in mulched beds to ease mowing and maintaining them.

Dan Rahn is a news editor with the University of Georgia College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences.