A professional landscape designer can create an attractive, low maintenance foundation planting tailored to the specific needs of a homeowner. Professional designs are meant to last for generations and are well worth the expense; but can the same results be obtained with a trip to a nursery or garden center, a sharp spade, a strong back, and a free weekend? How can a homeowner know when to call in a professional designer and when to plunge in as a do it yourself ‘weekend warrior’?
The answer depends on 1) the size and scope of the project, 2) the budget, and 3) the time available and the homeowner’s personal patience. Answering a few preliminary questions honestly before starting a foundation planting can save lots of frustration and work over the course of years, and can also insure that the end result is a planting that flatters the home and suits the lifestyle and taste of the homeowner.
Questions to Ask Before Starting a DIY Foundation Planting
- What are the foundation measurements? If the foundation planting simple involves adding a few perennials and shrubs to boost the curb appeal of a small bungalow, then some sound advice from a garden center manager and lots of DIY elbow grease might be adequate to the task. On the other hand, foundation plantings for new construction or large country homes can actually cost more money over the long run if not first planned professionally on paper.
- What is the mature size of the plants desired and how hard are they to maintain? A professional landscape designer will take into account the mature size of shrubs and plants, the proper spacing for the plant material, the homeowners’ tastes and the architectural style of the home or subdivision, and the maintenance requirements or preferences of the plant material. Professional installation is usually a separate expense. One money-saving option is to have a professional landscape designer to draw up a plan and then let the homeowner install the plant material in prearranged stages.
- Have the homeowners ever worked with landscape plants before? Planting is very heavy work. Before starting an ambitious project that spans the entire front of a house, try planting a few shrubs farther away from the building in a place where failure is less obvious. This should provide a feel for whether or not tackling the project alone is reasonable. Keep in mind that not only will holes need to be dug before the actual planting can begin, sod will also have to be cut and lifted, mulch will have to be shoveled and spread, and buckets of root stimulator mixed in proper proportions with water will have to be carried to each shrub and plant to get it off to a good start. Many people grossly underestimate how physically demanding this type of labor really is.
- Does the homeowner understand the growth habits and aesthetic properties of various shrubs and perennial plants and can he or she assess the choices? The most common mistake homeowners make when planting shrubbery is to plant a small, young shrub that grows to a very large mature size only a foot or so from the foundation. By the second year, if not sooner, the shrub is already ‚”too large” and needs constant pruning. The constant pruning in turn deforms the natural shape of that plant over time, and seriously irritates the pruner. Shrubs planted too close to the foundation can actually crack the concrete or dislodge bricks. Planting the correct shrub in the correct place the very first time is infinitely easier than yanking out an overgrown yew and starting over again, or pruning so often and so severely the shrub becomes ugly and twisted by the third year.
- Is the landscaping budget realistic? When it comes to foundation planting, no amount of research is too much research. Look at many plants and planting designs and find several that look nice and seem within budget. List the plants and the quantities, take the list to a nursery, and price it out. Keep in mind that this preliminary price will not include mulch, tools, labor, edging, or any other necessary materials. If the plants themselves cost well over the current budget, consider investing in a professional landscape design, then plant the ‘bones’ or large items first, and add more basic shrubs and smaller plants each year as funds allow.
The garden bed in front of a home can provide years of pleasure and pride. Foundation beds can also create untold headaches and frustration as plants outgrow their alloted spaces or demand excessive maintenance and pruning. Approaching a foundation planting honestly, carefully, and with whatever professional help is necessary can help insure a successful and happy experience for the homeowner, and a gorgeous landscape for years to come.
Sources
“Landscape Design: Do It Yourself or Hire It Done?” by Anne Marie Vander Zanden, Ohio State University.
“How to Plant A Bare Root Tree,” The Arbor Day Foundation.
VRS101