Designing a garden seems straightforward – dig a few flower beds, lay some turf, maybe add a patio. But if you’ve ever stood in your garden feeling like something’s “off,” you’re not alone. Even the most well-intentioned gardeners can fall into common pitfalls that leave their outdoor space looking unbalanced, cluttered, or high maintenance.
The good news? Most garden design mistakes are easily fixable! With a few tweaks, you can turn a frustrating space into a garden that looks great, works for your lifestyle, and adds real value to your home.
At ALS Landscaping, we’ve seen it all – from overgrown jungles to bare, lifeless plots. Here are the top 5 garden design mistakes we come across – and how professionals fix them.
No Proper Plan – Just Making It Up As You Go
The Mistake:
It’s easy to get carried away at the garden centre, grabbing whatever plants catch your eye, buying a fancy water feature, or sticking a patio wherever there’s space. The result? A garden that lacks flow, feels cramped in some areas and empty in others, or just doesn’t work as a usable space.
The Fix:
Professionals always start with a plan. A good garden design considers:
- How you’ll use the space – Are you after a relaxing retreat, a play area for kids, or an entertaining zone?
- Sunlight and soil conditions – No point putting a sun-loving plant in a shady corner.
- Future growth – Plants will get bigger, so spacing is crucial.
- Balance and flow – Paths should lead naturally between spaces, and each area should feel intentional.
For expert planning tips, check out Better Homes & Gardens.
If you’re starting from scratch and you’ve got a small garden or patio, our blog on Creative Landscaping has great ideas for making the most of your space.
Ignoring Scale and Proportion
The Mistake:
Ever seen a garden where the plants look too small for the space, or where a giant water feature completely dominates the lawn? That’s bad scale and proportion. Too many small plants can make a garden look bitty, while oversized elements can overwhelm a space.
The Fix:
Professionals design with proportion in mind. They use:
- Layering: Taller plants at the back, mid-sized shrubs in the middle, and lower-growing plants at the front. This creates depth and structure.
- Balance: A mix of large, medium, and small elements avoids the “all-one-size” look.
- Hard landscaping that fits the space: A small garden needs slimline furniture, narrow pathways, and compact features – not bulky paving slabs or oversized decking.
Want ideas for balancing design? Read our Garden Trends for 2025 for insights into modern landscaping.
Overcrowding Plants – It’ll Look Great at First, Then Turn Into a Jungle
The Mistake:
Newly planted gardens always look a bit bare, and it’s tempting to pack plants in for an instant lush look. The problem? They’ll quickly outgrow their space, leading to overcrowding, disease, and maintenance nightmares.
The Fix:
Professional landscapers plan for the future. They space plants according to their mature size, ensuring they have room to grow without fighting for space.
A well-designed garden also includes:
- Slow-growing structural plants (like evergreens) for year-round appeal.
- Seasonal interest – plants that peak at different times so your garden never looks empty.
- Mulching and ground cover to fill gaps without cramming in too many plants.
For more on plant spacing, check out Gardenista.
Choosing High-Maintenance Features Without Realising It
The Mistake:
That lovely pond? It needs constant cleaning. The flower beds full of delicate perennials? They’ll need staking, deadheading, and winter protection. If you don’t have time for regular maintenance, your garden will quickly look unkempt.
The Fix:
Professionals always match garden design to lifestyle. If you love gardening, great! But if you’re after a low-maintenance space, opt for:
- Evergreens and hardy shrubs that look good year-round.
- Mulched beds to suppress weeds and retain moisture.
- Paving and gravel instead of large lawn areas (lawns need mowing – paving doesn’t!).
- Automated irrigation so you don’t have to worry about watering.
Need a garden that’s easy to manage? Read our guide to Low-Maintenance Landscaping.
Forgetting About Seasonal Interest – Great in Summer, Dull the Rest of the Year
The Mistake:
Many people design their gardens just for summer, forgetting how bare it will look in winter. Without evergreen structure or winter-flowering plants, your garden could feel lifeless for half the year.
The Fix:
Professionals design for all seasons by incorporating:
- Evergreens for structure (e.g. box, holly, yew).
- Plants with interesting bark or stems (like dogwood and birch).
- Winter-flowering plants (like hellebores and witch hazel).
- Spring bulbs to get early colour.
Learn more about year-round planting from Southern Living.
Our blog on Best Landscaping Plants for Year-Round Colour is packed with ideas!
Conclusion: Ready to Fix Your Garden?
If you’ve spotted any of these mistakes in your own garden, don’t worry – you’re not alone! The good news is that most garden design issues are fixable, whether it’s spacing out plants, adding structure, or tweaking your layout for better flow.
If you’d like expert help, ALS Landscaping is here to transform your garden. Whether it’s a small tweak or a full redesign, we’ll help you create an outdoor space that works for you. Get in touch today to discuss your dream garden.
FAQs
How do I know if my garden needs a redesign?
If your space feels cluttered, hard to maintain, or doesn’t flow properly, it’s probably time for a rethink.
What’s the easiest way to make a big difference in my garden?
Defining areas, adding structure (like evergreen hedging), and improving plant spacing are quick fixes that make a huge impact.
Can a small garden still look well-designed?
Absolutely! Thoughtful planning, vertical planting, and clever use of space can make even the tiniest garden look amazing.
Contact Us Today
If you would like to find out more about our wide range of landscaping and garden design services please contact the team at ALS Landscaping today.
