Whether you’re a budding garden designer or a homeowner who’s looking to refresh your outdoor space, there are a few common mistakes that can easily derail a project. By learning how to spot and fix these pitfalls early, then you’ll be on your way to a garden that not only looks great but also thrives for many seasons to come.
In this article, we’ll explore five of the most common garden design mistakes. That’s not all, we’ll give you practical tips to avoid them along the way. So, read on if you’re ready to hone your garden design skills and make your garden reflect your vision—truly!
1. Ignoring the Importance of Scale and Proportion
One of the most common mistakes in garden design is not paying attention to scale and proportion.
A garden that’s too small for the space or a series of oversized plants or features can feel out of balance, which in turn makes it claustrophobic and difficult to navigate. Likewise, overcrowding the garden with too many elements can overwhelm the space and make it appear chaotic.
When it comes to creating a well-balanced garden, size matters.
Before you start planting and/or installing features, measure your garden. Then, visualise how the elements will fit together, by considering their size and the space you have available.
For plants, find out what size they’ll grow into when they mature and make sure you’re not planting them too close together, as this will lead to overcrowding and, worse, poor growth. The same goes for garden furniture and structures, choose pieces that look proportionate to the size of your garden.
In this Rochdale secret garden, our designer David proved that small gardens can deliver big impact too. The challenge was to create layers of interest within a compact footprint, through clever level changes and raised rendered planters. We carefully positioned paths through the garden to help create a sense of depth and space. In addition, we designed bespoke metal climbing frames to divide and screen parts of the garden, turning the garden into a journey of discovery.
2. Choosing the Wrong Plants for the Environment
Plants that are unsuitable to a garden’s environment is a common mistake. This happens when clients or homeowners are drawn to plants based solely on their aesthetic, without regard to their growing requirements.
Planting species that aren’t suitable for your climate, soil or sunlight conditions can lead to poor plant health, high maintenance, and increased costs as plants struggle to survive or need frequent replacements.
Here’s how you can avoid this potentially costly mistake: before choosing plants, take the time to study your garden’s conditions. Assess the soil type, sun exposure and overall climate of your region. If you're unsure, test the soil’s pH and drainage capacity, and observe how much sunlight each area of the garden receives throughout the day. Then choose the right plants that are naturally adapted to your local environment.
If you’re working with a garden with varying levels of sunlight, choose plants that can thrive in those conditions, like sun-loving perennials or shade-tolerant shrubs.
For budding designers and DIY gardeners, a strong understanding of plant selection based on site conditions is key for creating sustainable gardens, so don’t be afraid to ask for expert advice to help you make the right plant choices.
3. Overlooking Focal Points and Visual Flow
Every good garden needs a central element that draws the eye, whether it’s a stunning tree, a piece of art, a water feature or an architectural structure. Without a clear focal point, your garden may feel aimless and uninspired. Similarly, the lack of visual flow—the way the eye moves through the space—can make a garden feel chaotic and disconnected.
And no one wants that.
So, start by deciding on a visual anchor for your garden, which should be strategically placed so that it can be admired from multiple corners throughout the garden. This element will serve as the beating heart of your garden and set the tone for the rest of the design.
Once you have established your focal point, think about visual flow. You can position plants, paths and other features in a way that leads the eye naturally through the space. For example, in this tropical garden in Chorlton, each platform has its own focal point.
4. Underestimating the Role of Lighting
Garden lighting is often an afterthought, when it’s an essential element that can dramatically change the mood and functionality of a garden.
Why? Because poor lighting can leave areas of your garden dark and inaccessible at night. On the other hand, an overuse of harsh lights can create a jarring atmosphere that detracts from the beauty of your garden.
If you don't want to make this mistake, remember that soft, warm lighting works well for creating ambiance, whilst task lighting can illuminate functional areas such as pathways, seating and outdoor kitchens.
You should also consider using different types of lighting, including uplighting, downlighting and accent lighting, to highlight key features such as trees, sculptures or architectural details. Solar-powered lights can be a great option for sustainability and ease of installation.
5. Neglecting the Garden’s Long-Term Maintenance Needs
We know how easy it is to get caught up in the excitement of creating your dream garden, but neglecting its long-term maintenance needs is a very real mistake.
A garden that looks beautiful at the outset may become unsustainable over time if you don’t consider how much upkeep it will need. High-maintenance plants, extensive lawn areas and overly intricate hardscaping can quickly become a burden, then turn into frustration.
A successful garden design is one that enriches your lifestyle and suits your maintenance preferences.
If you’re not keen on spending hours on end maintaining your garden, choose low-maintenance plants and materials that won’t demand too much attention. Drought-tolerant plants, for example, are a great choice for reducing the time you spend watering, whilst using mulch or ground cover can help control weeds—let’s be honest, weeding is back-breaking work!
When selecting hardscaping features like pathways, patios or decks, choose materials that are easy to clean. At DK Garden Design, we often specify porcelain paving and Millboard composite decking for our projects in North West England—as seen in this Marple Bridge garden—as both are low-maintenance, sealed-surface materials, making them ideal for the region's high rainfall and humidity. They can be easily cleaned with a mop, bucket or jet wash, preventing the slippery algae from building up, which is common with natural stone or timber decking.
Now You're Ready to Fix These Garden Design Mistakes
By addressing these issues in the design phase, you can create a garden that reflects your vision and flourishes!
If you’re not ready to roll up your sleeves, we’re here to lend a helping hand! Get in touch today and find out how we can help you turn your garden into a one-of-a-kind space you’ll love.
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