The Common Landscaping Mistakes (And How to Avoid Them)

Written By Shanelle Rabichev

When my husband and I embarked on building our custom home, we quickly realized how many decisions we needed to make—decisions that could easily be overlooked but would have long-term consequences. One such step was hiring a lighting designer, as advised by our general contractor, Carlisle Classic Homes. At the time, we hesitated at the $1,200 cost for a one-hour consultation and a comprehensive lighting plan, but looking back, it was one of the smartest investments we made.

The lighting designer provided detailed plans that included light switch locations, fixtures, dimming instructions, and the placement of sconces. This one step—among what felt like a mountain of steps—was crucial. It could have been easily forgotten or rushed, but thanks to our contractor and advice from others who had built homes we admired, we took the leap. Our philosophy during this project became “Buy Once, Cry Once.”

This same philosophy applies to landscaping and garden design. Whether you're building a new home or renovating your outdoor space, planning is often an overlooked yet essential step. Without proper planning, it's easy to make costly mistakes that leave you frustrated and spending more money in the long run.

Impulse Buying Plants: You visit a nursery, fall in love with beautiful plants, and spend $300. Six months later, they're dead because they weren’t suited to your climate or soil.

Mismatch with Your Home's Style: You hire a contractor to build a deck or patio, but it doesn’t match your home's aesthetic or your lifestyle needs.

High-Maintenance Choices: You install sod, only to regret spending weekends mowing, weeding, and watering. You end up replacing it with turf or other low-maintenance alternatives.

These mistakes can be avoided with proper planning. Hiring a designer or consultant for your garden ensures that your outdoor space aligns with your home’s style, meets your needs, and thrives in your environment.

Why a Garden Designer is Worth the Investment

Just as our lighting designer saved us from costly mistakes inside the home, a garden designer can save you thousands of dollars and hours of frustration outdoors. Here's how:

  • Custom Solutions: A designer considers your lifestyle, soil, climate, sunlight and aesthetic to create a plan that works specifically for you.

  • Cost Efficiency: Proper planning prevents overspending on unsuitable plants, hardscaping, and features.

  • Increased Home Value: Thoughtful landscaping significantly boosts your home's curb appeal and equity.

  • Long-Term Satisfaction: A well-designed outdoor space is functional, low-maintenance, and beautiful year-round.

Landscaping Plans for Every Budget

Here are examples of landscaping plans tailored to different budgets on similar size lots (5,000 sq ft), from $10,000 to $50,000, to show how thoughtful design can transform your outdoor space.

$10,000 Plan: Low-Maintenance Design

  • Key Features:

    • Gravel pathways

    • Small flagstone patio

    • Native drought-tolerant plants

    • Hogwire fence

    • Low-voltage lighting

  • Focus: A simple, budget-friendly design that emphasizes low-maintenance landscaping.

Top-down view of a $10,000 Piet Oudolf-inspired meadow garden landscaping. Planting is DIY (with design plan), hardscaping is est. with materials.

$20,000 Plan: Balance of Functionality and Beauty

  • Key Features:

    • Expanded patio with interlocking pavers

    • Privacy hedges and ornamental grasses

    • Small seating area

    • Fire Pit

  • Focus: A balanced design that incorporates lush greenery and functional spaces.

Visuals: Drone view of what a $20,000 plan included above

$30,000 Plan: Entertaining and Garden Integration

  • Key Features:

    • Large patio with intricate paver designs

    • Natural stone pathways

    • Fire pit seating area

    • Wooden privacy fence

    • Dense plantings of grasses, perennials, and shrubs

  • Focus: Combining entertaining areas with lush, naturalistic plantings.

A drone's top-down view of a $30,000 Piet Oudolf-inspired meadow landscaping design for a typical Seattle yard. The yard features a spacious fire pit

$50,000 Plan: Luxury Outdoor Living

  • Key Features:

    • Outdoor kitchen and dining area with Trellis

    • Multi-level garden beds with retaining walls

    • Advanced irrigation and lighting systems

  • Focus: A high-end landscape that blends luxury and functionality.

A drone's top-down view of a $50,000 Piet Oudolf-inspired meadow landscaping design for a typical Seattle yard. The design features a luxurious fire pit.

Why Planning Early Saves Money

Hiring a designer at the beginning of your landscaping project prevents costly missteps and ensures a cohesive, functional, and aesthetically pleasing design. Here’s how it saves money:

  1. Avoiding Mistakes: Designers choose plants and materials that thrive in your environment and suit your lifestyle.

  2. Efficiency: A detailed plan ensures contractors know exactly what to do, avoiding delays and costly changes.

  3. Long-Term Value: Thoughtful landscaping adds equity to your home and reduces future maintenance costs.

In our case, hiring a lighting designer ensured every switch and fixture was in the right place. It was a small step that made a big difference in our custom home. Similarly, hiring a garden designer will ensure your outdoor space becomes a lasting investment, not a source of frustration.

So before you start planting, paving, or building, consider consulting a professional. You’ll thank yourself later—and so will your wallet.

Below I go into detail about the materials, hardscape, types of fences, trellises, raised garden beds, plants, grasses and shrubs. My first mistake when we bought our first home 10 years ago- was just asking neighbors. Hey Val- what kind of fence should I get? Hey Bob, what kind of deck is that? Yah- the names are real :) and these were serious questions. Luckily the answers were Cedar Fence and Trex Deck. We sold that home after 7 years and did well on our first investment despite being the most naive and wide-eyed home owners on the block. Something our parents, who have been home owners for decades, made very clear to us every time they visited.

A Seattle-Centric Guide to Residential Landscaping Materials and Features

When designing your outdoor space, using high-quality materials from trusted local businesses not only supports the community but also ensures your project fits the Pacific Northwest's unique aesthetic and environment. Below is a guide to landscaping essentials, including fences, hardscape materials, trellises, raised garden beds, turf, perennials, privacy hedges, and native grasses. Each section highlights local Seattle businesses, average pricing, and a mood board to inspire your design.

1. Residential Fences

Popular Fence Types:

  • Wooden Privacy Fence: A classic choice for creating a secluded yard. Choose cedar for its durability in Seattle's wet climate.

    • Average Price: $35–$55 per linear foot.

    • Source: Dunn Lumber

  • Hogwire Fence: Perfect for a modern, rustic look. Combine with cedar frames for a durable and stylish design.

  • Metal Fence: Sleek and durable, ideal for contemporary homes or decorative accents.

A mood board showcasing a variety of residential fence styles, specifically for Seattle homes. Include cedar wooden privacy fences with natural finish

2. Hardscape Materials

Best Choices for Seattle Landscapes:

  • Flagstone: Timeless and elegant, perfect for patios and pathways.

  • Interlocking Pavers: Durable and versatile for patios or driveways.

  • Gravel: Affordable and easy to install for pathways or garden beds.

  • Concrete: Modern and customizable for clean, minimal designs.

A mood board showcasing various hardscape materials commonly used in landscaping, including flagstone, interlocking pavers, gravel, stamped concrete, etc.

3. Trellises

Design Options:

  • Wooden Trellises: Cedar or reclaimed wood is perfect for rustic or naturalistic gardens.

  • Metal Trellises: Powder-coated metal for durability and contemporary gardens.

Here is the mood board showcasing various trellis designs, including wooden, metal, lattice-style, and modern minimalist trellises.

4. Raised Garden Beds

Materials for Longevity:

  • Cedar Raised Beds: Naturally rot-resistant and ideal for Seattle's damp climate.

  • Metal Raised Beds: Stylish and durable, especially for modern gardens.

Here is the mood board showcasing various raised garden bed designs, including cedar wooden, galvanized metal, stone-edged, and composite material beds.

5. Turf

Local Lawn Options:

  • Natural Sod: Best suited for sunny, well-drained yards.

  • Artificial Turf: Low-maintenance and ideal for pet-friendly homes or shady areas.

6. Perennials

  1. Achillea millefolium (Yarrow)

    • Hardy and drought-tolerant with vibrant clusters of flowers.

    • Average Price: $10–$15 per plant.

    • Source: Swanson's Nursery

  2. Agastache (Hummingbird Mint)

  3. Allium (Ornamental Onion)

  4. Anemone hupehensis (Japanese Anemone)

    • Late-blooming perennial with delicate flowers.

    • Average Price: $12–$15 per plant.

    • Source: Fancy Fronds Nursery

  5. Asclepias tuberosa (Butterfly Weed)

  6. Astilbe (False Goat’s Beard)

  7. Coreopsis (Tickseed)

    • Bright yellow blooms that thrive in sunny spots.

    • Average Price: $10–$15 per plant.

    • Source: Swanson's Nursery

  8. Digitalis purpurea (Foxglove)

  9. Eryngium (Sea Holly)

    • Metallic blue, spiky flowers for texture.

    • Average Price: $10–$16 per plant.

    • Source: Bluestone Perennials

  10. Gaura lindheimeri (Bee Blossom)

  11. Helianthus (Perennial Sunflower)

  12. Iris sibirica (Siberian Iris)

  13. Leucanthemum (Shasta Daisy)

  14. Monarda (Bee Balm)

    • Fragrant and perfect for pollinator gardens.

    • Average Price: $10–$15 per plant.

    • Source: Fancy Fronds Nursery

  15. Nepeta (Catmint)

    • Lavender-blue flowers and aromatic foliage.

    • Average Price: $8–$12 per plant.

    • Source: Bluestone Perennials

  16. Penstemon (Beardtongue)

    • Vibrant flowers in a range of colors.

    • Average Price: $10–$14 per plant.

    • Source: Swanson's Nursery

  17. Phlox paniculata (Garden Phlox)

  18. Rudbeckia hirta (Black-Eyed Susan)

  19. Salvia nemorosa (Wood Sage)

    • Tall purple spires that thrive in full sun.

    • Average Price: $10–$15 per plant.

    • Source: Fancy Fronds Nursery

  20. Veronicastrum virginicum (Culver's Root)

    • Elegant spikes of white or purple flowers.

    • Average Price: $10–$16 per plant.

    • Source: Bluestone Perennials

Pictures above feature some renowned gardens designed by Piet Oudolf, each exemplifying his naturalistic planting style:

  1. Hummelo, The Netherlands
    Piet Oudolf's personal garden in Hummelo showcases his signature use of perennials and grasses, creating a dynamic landscape that changes with the seasons.

    Flower Magazine

  2. Lurie Garden, Chicago, Illinois
    Located in Millennium Park, the Lurie Garden is a 2.5-acre urban oasis featuring a blend of perennials, bulbs, native prairie grasses, shrubs, and trees, embodying Oudolf's vision of a harmonious natural landscape.

    Wikipedia

  3. The High Line, New York City, New York
    This elevated park transformed a historic freight rail line into a public space, with Oudolf's planting design emphasizing native species and sustainable practices.

  4. Scampston Walled Garden, North Yorkshire, UK
    A contemporary garden set within an 18th-century walled garden, featuring Oudolf's innovative planting schemes that combine structure with naturalistic elements.

  5. Hauser & Wirth Somerset, Bruton, UK
    Known as the Oudolf Field, this garden is a perennial meadow that complements the surrounding landscape and the art gallery it adjoins.

For a visual tour of these gardens, you can explore the following resources:

  • Piet Oudolf's Next Wave, Photo Gallery
    A collection of photographs showcasing Oudolf's evolving creative journey, including images of his own garden.

    GardenDesign.com

  • Landscape Ideas: 8 Favorite Gardens by Dutch Designer Piet Oudolf
    An article featuring some of Oudolf's most celebrated garden designs, complete with images and descriptions.

    Gardenista

7. Native Grasses with Sources

  • Bouteloua gracilis (Blue Grama Grass)

    • A low-maintenance grass with unique seed heads.

    • Average Price: $10–$15 per plant.

    • Source: Prairie Moon Nursery

  • Calamagrostis x acutiflora (Karl Foerster Grass)

    • Elegant and upright, perfect for screens.

    • Average Price: $15–$20 per plant.

    • Source: Swanson's Nursery

  • Carex elata (Bowles Golden Sedge)

  • Deschampsia cespitosa (Tufted Hair Grass)

  • Festuca glauca (Blue Fescue)

  • Leymus arenarius (Blue Lyme Grass)

  • Melica californica (California Melic)

  • Miscanthus sinensis (Maiden Grass)

    • Tall and elegant, perfect for borders.

    • Average Price: $15–$20 per plant.

    • Source: Bluestone Perennials

  • Panicum virgatum (Switchgrass)

    • Adds vertical structure and seasonal interest.

    • Average Price: $12–$18 per plant.

    • Source: Prairie Moon Nursery

  • Schizachyrium scoparium (Little Bluestem)

    • Vibrant fall color and compact form.

    • Average Price: $12–$18 per plant.

    • Source: Swanson's Nursery

8. Privacy Hedges

Ideal for Seattle Homes:

  • Laurel (Prunus laurocerasus): Fast-growing, evergreen, and dense.

  • Yew (Taxus): Slow-growing but incredibly elegant and long-lasting.

A mood board showcasing various types of residential fences matching with Seattle style homes, including cedar wooden privacy fences, hogwire fences with cedar frames

I hope you can pull up this guide and show this to your landscaper or whoever you are asking a quote from or discussing, point to what you want, have links - check prices and this be your one stop shop :) or email me at hello@shanellerabichev.com :) I would love to help you at this stage!

Shanelle Rabichev https://www.shanellerabichev.com
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