Why Landscapes Fail
- Robyn Cates
- 20 hours ago
- 2 min read
Here’s How We Design for Long-Term Beauty
Many landscapes look great the day they’re installed. Fresh mulch, perfectly spaced plants, instant curb appeal. But fast forward a few years and that same landscape may feel crowded, overgrown, or tired.
That’s not bad luck.
It’s a design problem.
Most landscapes fail because they’re planted for year one, not year five.
The Year-One Trap
Designing for year one focuses on instant fullness. Plants are spaced close together so beds look lush right away. Shrubs are chosen for how they look in the nursery, not how they grow over time. Trees are placed without considering mature canopy size or root spread.
The result feels impressive at first—but it creates hidden issues:
Shrubs outgrow their space and require constant pruning
Plants compete for light, water, and nutrients
Beds lose structure and definition
Maintenance costs increase every year
What looked “finished” at installation becomes a problem to manage.
Most Landscapes Fail Because They’re Designed for Year One, Not Year Five
Long-term landscape design works differently. It starts with how plants behave over time, not how they look on day one.
We design with mature size in mind. That means spacing plants so they can grow naturally without crowding or aggressive pruning. It means choosing varieties that hold their form, scale properly with the home, and age well together.
We also design in layers:
Structural elements (trees, hedges, hardscape) that define the space year-round
Mid-layer shrubs that provide shape and continuity
Perennials and seasonal accen
ts that can change over time
This approach creates a landscape that improves each year instead of declining.
Growth Is Part of the Design
A well-designed landscape should evolve. Some areas are intentionally quieter at installation, knowing they’ll fill in over time. Others are designed to be flexible, allowing for future adjustments without tearing everything out.
Designing for year five doesn’t mean sacrificing beauty today. It means balancing immediate appeal with long-term performance.
The Payoff
Landscapes designed for longevity:
Require less corrective pruning
Maintain clear lines and proportions
Age gracefully instead of becoming overgrown
Cost less to maintain over time
The best landscapes don’t peak in their first season. They get better. Questions? Give us a call! We can review your plans with you or guide you from scratch. ph. 317-300-4254
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