Planting is as easy as digging a hole in the ground and placing your plant of choice inside of it…right?
While those are key steps to the process, we’re here to share some helpful guidelines that will impact what you plant, how you plant it, and when you should expect to see full maturity.
These plant installation guidelines work together to ensure your landscaping looks great and stays healthy for years to come.
Later, we’ll also cover some common mistakes first-time gardeners make that you should try to avoid.
4 Planting Guidelines to Follow
1. The 70/30 rule
The 70/30 rule dictates the types of plants you include in your landscaping.
This guideline breaks plant type down as follows:
- 70% of plants should be hardy, low-maintenance elements like evergreen shrubs, trees, perennials, and ornamental grasses.
- 30% of your plants should be eye-catching seasonal accents, experimental plantings, and annual plants that will need to be replaced.
The goal of this rule is simple: to keep your landscaping looking balanced and full year-long, and to make maintenance easy.
Evergreens like mountain laurels will provide color and texture to your yard even in the cold Virginia winter, while seasonal beauties like hydrangeas add extra intrigue during the spring and summer months.
Balancing the type of plants you install results in longer-lasting, more attractive landscaping.
2. The rule of three
The rule of three refers to the number of plants you install together.
By installing plants in odd-numbered bunches of three, five, or seven, you’ll create landscaping that looks more natural. Think about it: do you often see plants growing in a neat line in the wild? This guideline advises replicating that natural, wild look for a more intriguing garden.
This rule works when planting the same kind of plant (e.g., three crape myrtles), or the same color plants (e.g., three tea olives and two gardenias).
Ultimately, odd-numbered plantings add dimension to your landscaping and make an otherwise bare garden bed look full.
3. The three-year rule
Next, the three-year rule specifies how long it takes for new perennial plants to reach their full potential.
Most plants won’t reach full maturity until at least three years after planting. That means no blossoms and minimal height for the first three years.
While the three-year rule urges you to remain patient—your plants will soon look just like you imagined them!––it’s also a good guideline to keep in mind when planting.
You should select plants that will look good together right now and in three years, when they reach maturity.
You should also install new plants so there is enough room in between each as they grow.
4. Follow the five elements of design
Lastly, following the five elements of design ensures your landscaping looks interesting and polished, rather than a random assortment of plants.
The five elements of design include:
- Line: Edges, horizontal and vertical intrigue like beds and trellises.
- Form: The shape of your plants and the shape they make when placed together.
- Texture: The types of foliage available, from ovate leaves to shaggy grasses.
- Color: Varied colors and hues.
- Scale: Different-sized plants and elements like rocks, statuary, and hardscaping.
Focus on these elements as you plan your landscaping, and you’re sure to have a more dynamic, visually interesting garden.
Common Mistakes that First-Time Gardeners Make
These guidelines, often referred to as rules, are in place to improve plant installation for new gardeners.
While they’re simple enough to follow, there are several other common mistakes that first-time gardeners make when installing landscaping.
Here are some pitfalls to avoid:
- Improper watering: Avoid fixed-schedule watering, which can lead to overwatering. Also, water at the base of the plant instead of from above to avoid shallow root growth and potential fungal diseases.
- Neglecting soil quality: Your soil quality dictates how well your plants can grow. Enrich your soil with compost and fertilizers to improve quality over time.
- Misunderstanding sunlight exposure: Different plants need different levels of sun. Observe the sunlight exposure in your garden throughout a day (and throughout the seasons, if possible) and choose plants accordingly
- Choosing the wrong plants for your zone: Northern Virginia falls mostly into zones 7a and 7b. Knowing your zone can help you choose plants that will thrive with minimal intervention, resulting in a healthier, happier garden.
- Overcrowding your plants: Give your plants some space! Remember the three-year rule and install plants based on the size they’ll be when they fully mature, not the size they are now.
For more plant installation tips, check out our list of five landscaping considerations you should review before installing new plants
One of the most common mistakes? Taking on too much and starting too big. Experts recommend starting with just a couple of beds before taking on a major project.
If you want to avoid the stress of making a mistake in plant installation or landscaping design, leave it to us. We can help you select the best plants for your yard and manage installation to ensure optimal placement and long-lasting results.
