Here’s a common home improvement mistake that even Tom [1] has made: choosing the wrong plants for your space. Home and garden centers are chock full of fantastic foliage, and it’s easy to get caught up in a floral fantasy. Don’t fall prey to a shopping frenzy only to get home and find that you need to squeeze that sun-loving shrub into a shady spot or that you’ve invested in a perennial that will outgrow its designated space before fully matured.
Before you go to the garden center, make a list of what you want to plant and where it will go. Write down sun and shade patterns in your yard, measure the available space and check out plant labels to see how much water and sun they need and how big they will grow. If you plan your work and work the plan, the result will be a landscape you can enjoy for many years to come.
Links:
[1] http://www.moneypit.com/blogs/tom-kraeutler