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Tip 6: Choose Plants that are Not Poisonous to Pets

Many popular landscaping plants are surprisingly toxic to our furry family members. Cats and dogs can tend to nibble on vegetation at times. The tragic illness of a beloved pet can be the horrible outcome when a landscaping job is not properly planned. If pets are part of your family, only choose pet-friendly plants.

Tip 7: Condition the Soil Before Planting

Not all soil is good for plants. In fact, some soils prevent a plant from thriving at all. Just because something is already growing in the soil does not make it the best soil for all plants. Weeds grow almost anywhere, and hardier plants are not affected by poor soil conditions. To make sure the new landscape plants will thrive, test the soil in planting areas and take some time to condition it to be optimal for the plants.

Tip 8: Group Odd Numbers of Plants Together For the Most Stunning Effects

As with any design plan, everything is more appealing to odd-numbered groups (three, five, seven, etc). In groups of fewer than ten, even numbers often look strangely awkward. Also, spreading out matching plants is not appealing either. Keep the number odd, and keep them closer together rather than spread apart.

Tip 9: Avoid Straight Rows and Patterns that Don't Occur in Nature

Some landscaping plans call for straight rows of identical plants that lead the eye toward a focal point. When done purposefully like this, the choice can be appealing. Otherwise, landscape design is not the place for uniformity.

Tip 10: Tall Plants in Back, Short Ones in Front

Some of the most stunning plants are small. It would be a shame to have a beautiful plant tucked behind massive foliage where it cannot be seen. Besides being hidden, these smaller plants may also not be getting enough light if they are too far back. When planning, consider how fast the plants will grow and what the mature height should be, and put the taller ones in the back.