Readers Respond: What Are Your Worst Mistakes Made in Landscaping?

Responses: 68

By David Beaulieu, About.com Guide

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I was cutting down an old plum tree that was rotting out at the trunk. I had removed all the branches and was beginning to work on the trunk just above ground level when I began to get stung all over by angry bees. Yelling loudly I left my chainsaw still running in the groove where it had sliced into a wild beehive, and beat a hasty exit while swatting at the bees chasing me and trying to brush them off. My brother-in-law came running and before I could stop him went to retrieve the chainsaw still stuck in the stump but was driven back and stung a few times himself. Using my telescopic pole-pruner I hooked my chainsaw out of the beehive and switched it off. I tend to be more cautious when working on old tree trunks now.
—Hedgecutter

I planted a hardy Eucalyptus tree too close to my septic tank. It was only supposed to grow 15' at most; but it loved the septic tank so much, it grew to over 100' tall and, unfortunately, my beautiful tree, had to be chopped down (which was cheaper than a new septic tank and field).
—Guest nin40@Shaw.ca

I planted a Noell Grevillea in front of one of our front windows. The tag said it would get about 4" X 4", which was fine. For a while it was delightful and attracted hummingbirds. But it kept growing.... At 12" I pruned it to a funny tree shape. Also, never plant a Noell Grevillea next to a septic tank!
—Guest Gretchiesmom

Maidengrass (Miscanthus sinensis 'Gracillimus') is a fine choice in zones 5-9 for a tall, drought-tolerant ornamental grass, as it reaches as much as 7’ in height, and it is graceful as it gently moves in the wind. Unfortunately, it sends out runners and pretty much takes over a yard. I grew it in Minneapolis, MN for a couple of years and finally had to smother it with cardboard and mulch to end both of our miseries.
—Guest jsanaker

I planted mint in my garden without containing it. Now I spend way too much time pulling it from around my other plants before it strangles them. I now have mint on my lawn in several places, and this stuff just doesn't quit. If you like mint, grow it in a container or keep it bound, or you'll have it everywhere.
—Guest mint condition

I bought a house in Ohio and moved into it in Sept. Late in the season and not much growing. The yard had well established landscaping, so the next spring and summer, I let things grow, not knowing what would come up. So, not knowing, I let several plants take over areas -- plants that I would rather not have growing there. So this year, I am fighting all the "weeds" that I let over-grow last season. I have learned so very much in just one year. I look forward to working in my yard even though I have a number of problem areas due to my blunder last year.
—Guest valerie

When my husband and I built our house 33 years ago, we wanted quick and cheap shade on the west and south hillsides of the house. I planted three silver maple volunteer saplings. Not only did I choose the wrong type of tree, but I planted the trees perpendicular to the hill rather than plumb straight with the world. I've had to put up with seeing these trees on an angle ever since. Plus, the millions of helicopter seeds all seem willing to turn my yard and garden into a silver maple forest.
—showmedonna

In our garden landscape design we were very careful to plant trees and shrubs a good distance from the house to avoid infestation and ruining paint. But one year I saw a jasmine plant that I liked, and we planted it about 15 feet from the entrance to our front doorway. While it doesn't seem like a bad idea to have a vine growing a bit away from the house it is far too much work keeping it cut back and away from the house. VINES are invasive, hardy and grow large. Something I did not want near the house. The vine also twines around other plants, and if the garden is ever unattended it will strangle other plants. I know ivy is considered a beauty plant on brick and stone homes but wooden structures can't really handle the growth of vines.
—Guest Reid

In the early days of my gardening obsession, I chose to subscribe to the 'feed the soil and the plants will take care of themselves' approach. While I still practice and preach this idea, it should always come with the warning that there will be many plants which might normally have behaved themselves in your garden or other gardener's yards which become very pushy when they are happy - especially anything listed as "groundcover" or any member of the mint family (square stems). So, compost and amend, amend, amend your soil, but be prepared to cheerfully thin with vigor if you've done it right!
—gardenevangelical

3 years ago, I purchased 1 pot of plume poppy from a garden centre and put it into the back of a sloped rock garden. Unfortunately the label did not say that plume poppy is a prolific seeder AND sends out loads of underground shoots. It began to overtake my rock garden by the end of the first summer, so I pulled it out. However, it's impossible to get all the little underground runners out, since they can go very deep (crept under a few boulders!) and I've been trying to remove it ever since. This spring I have already ripped out over 30 plantlets and they're still popping up.
—Ceed

I planted the species because of its elegant foliage and understated flowers. Now it's like digging potatoes out of the roots of all my perennials. It's the worst garden thug I've ever encountered!
—Guest Lyricdancer

My landscaping mistake was to plant a Wisteria under my wooden deck pergola. After 3 years, it had torn the railings off the posts and in seeking the direction of the southern sun, it actually pulled the posts off perpendicular, therefore weakening the whole structure. What a mess! I tore it off this year and will brace it. Now I have Jackman and Sweet Autumn Clematis there.
—Guest Gail Forsythe

Do not plant evening primrose. It's awfully invasive, and it will take over your entire garden.
—Guest Laurinda

My husband bought me a $150 white dogwood tree. We spent the whole day planting it in the perfect spot. I basically killed that plant with kindness. Because we spent so much money on it, I was so scared it would die that I watered it over and over and it basically drowned! Now I have a $20 dogwood special that I barely remember to water and it's growing like a weed. I learned my lesson!
—Guest kst1056

In my first attempt at a flower garden, I bought lots of little plants, which my two big dogs dug up - every day! After a week of planting the same garden daily, I moved it to the front of the house where the dogs don't roam. I now am quite particular - only big plants for the dog's garden!
—Girlygardener

David Beaulieu
Landscaping Guide