Like many gardeners , I ’ve made my fair share of planting mistakes . From chasing tendency to ignoring my local clime , I ’ve learned ( often the gruelling way ) that not everything belongs in my garden — no matter how pretty or popular it may be .
The consequence I got selective about what I grew , my garden started to fly high . Here are 19 things I stopped planting — and why you might desire to reconsider them , too .
1. Mint in the Ground
Mint , if not properly contained , can become your garden ’s most unruly guest . This fast - grow herbaceous plant go around like wildfire , protrude up in every quoin , and before long overtakes your precious garden space .
I see this the grueling way when my once - organized herb patch turned into a tidy sum jungle . Now , I keep passel safely insert away in skunk , where it ca n’t brim over my other plants .
It ’s a simple change with a big wallop — my garden is tidier , and I still enjoy fresh mint for my teas . If mint ’s wilfulness is n’t something you ’re ready to undertake , look at the pot - in - pot method for containment .
2. Bamboo
Bamboo ’s allurement lies in its rapid outgrowth and exotic collection , but it can become a nurseryman ’s nightmare . Once established , this hardy plant does n’t bonk when to stop , pushing up shoots all over the place .
It quickly transforms a calm garden into a forested field of battle . Although I look up to its predominate elegance , the relentless spread was too much . Now , I impart bamboo to public gardens where it can flourish without taking over .
My advice ? Enjoy bamboo ’s beauty from afar unless you ’re quick for a battle with nature . If you must plant it , consider clumping varieties that are less invasive .
© Gardening Know How
3. Invasive Groundcovers
English ivy , with its power to wrap up bare soil fleetly , might seem like a nurseryman ’s dream . However , its aggressive nature mean it can suffocate everything in its course . I learned this the toilsome way when my garden beds go away beneath a ocean of English ivy .
Switching to native groundcovers brought harmony back to my beds and peace of mind . Native plants offer the same soil protection without overwhelm other garden resident physician .
English common ivy ’s magical spell is deceptive ; be cautious of its overpowering embrace if you ’re considering it for your garden . Trust me , your garden ’s ecosystem will thank you .
© Homes and Gardens
4. Hybrid Tea Roses
The elegance of hybrid tea leaf blush wine once enamour my horticulture eye . However , their high-pitched - maintenance nature — prostrate to pests and disease — soon became overpowering . These rose wine demand changeless care , from regular pruning to vigilant disease bar .
After many seasons of battling black spots and mold , I switched to more springy shrub rosiness . These sturdy choice put up all the charm with none of the hassle , thriving effortlessly in my garden .
If you ’re seek beauty without the burden , turn over roses that do n’t need a horticultural academic degree to keep up . Your garden will wave , and you ’ll have more time to relish its beauty .
5. Thirsty Lawns
While not a individual plant , lawns can predominate a gardener ’s clip and resources . My lush grass areas demanded unforgiving watering , mop , and fertilizing to stay green . Converting portions of my lawn into native flora areas prove liberating .
Native plants require less water , thrive naturally , and bring biodiversity back to my garden . This conversion reduced both my work load and H2O government note , turning my garden into a sustainable paradise .
If your lawn is guzzling water and demanding endless maintenance , believe native plant alternative . I promise , the transformation is well deserving the exploit , for both you and the surroundings .
© The Spruce
6. Annuals That Need Constant Watering
Petunias and impatiens dazzle with their coloured peak , but their thirst was quenchless . In the summer heat , these yearbook needed unceasing attending to prevent wilting . My pee bank bill soared , along with my frustration .
Replacing them with drought - tolerant perennials allay the essence on both my pocket and my saneness . These resilient flora thrive with minimum concern , offering vivacious colour without constant coddling .
If you ’re aweary of work nursemaid to indigent bloom , alternate to unfearing coinage . Your garden can still burst with life , without you hold to be on watering duty every day .
© Wondermom Wannabe
7. Tender Perennials in Cold Climates
Cannas and Dahlia pinnata dazzled in the summer but despised the winter chill . Each year , I dug them up and stored them , hoping they ’d live until leap . It was labor - intensive and often unsatisfying .
finally , I opted for perennials that brave the moth-eaten , sparing me the one-year digging ritual . Hardy plants like sedum and cosmetic grasses now thrive year - round , free of special discussion .
If your garden ’s clime does n’t fit tender perennial , espouse hardier varieties that withstand frost without fuss . Your garden can rest vibrant through winter , saving you time and effort .
© House Digest
8. High-Maintenance Vegetables
Lettuce and spinach plant proved too delicate for my warm climate , beetle off at the first sign of rut . Their curtly - inhabit productiveness was frustrating . I turned to kale and Swiss chard — vegetables that endure longer and command less attention .
These robust greens provide a more rewarding , extended harvest time . If your garden experiences similar challenge , consider switching to hardier vegetables that align with your mood .
Your veggie maculation can be more productive , with less stress and disappointment . adopt crops that flourish with minimum intervention , and enjoy a more bounteous and live up to gardening experience .
© Gardener’s Path
9. Tomatoes That Always Got Blight
Heirloom tomatoes , though delicious , break my heart with their susceptibleness to plague . Each season ended in dashing hopes as leaf yellowed and fruits failed . Switching to disease - resistive potpourri was a secret plan - changer .
These full-bodied tomato thrive without constant trouble , secure a plentiful harvest . If your tomato endeavour are pregnant with disease , see cultivars bred for resiliency .
The joyfulness of picking sizeable , ripe tomatoes outweigh the allurement of heirloom struggles . Your garden will thank you , and your kitchen will be fill with the flavor of triumph . delight refreshing , blight - free bounteousness with less headache and heartache .
© Fine Gardening
10. Cheap Seed Mixes with Mystery Weeds
Bargain source mix seemed like a nifty idea until unexpected weeds popped up everywhere . These surprise Edgar Albert Guest often outcompeted my desired prime . Investing in quality seeds from reputable supplier bring harmony back to my flush beds .
Now , I savor lawful wild flower without battling unwanted invaders . If you ’re tempt by bum mixes , recollect that you might get more than you bargain for . choice seminal fluid ensure your garden stays dead on target to your vision .
Trust in reliable sources and enjoy a garden where every bloom belongs , make a more cohesive and beautiful landscape painting .
© Homes and Gardens
11. Trees Planted Too Close to the House
I once envision a shaded oasis , planting trees too near my home . Their roots , however , had other design — lifting paving and threaten foundation . opt trees with appropriate spacing saved my property from potential damage .
Now , I enjoy shade and security . If you ’re contemplating tree locating , turn over their mature size of it and root reach . ascertain the right distance will safeguard your structures and sustain concord .
Your garden can still offer coolheaded retirement without compromise your home ’s wholeness . Plan sagely , and enjoy the benefits of well - place , goodly tree .
12. Sun-Lovers in the Shade
Planting Lord’s Day - love flowers like coneflowers in shaded spots was a lesson in futility . They sulked , unable to thrive without ample sunlight . Replacing them with shade - tolerant species like hostas transformed these area into lush harbour .
If your sun - lovers seem discontent , turn over swapping them for plant suited to your garden ’s low-cal condition . squeeze the trick of matching industrial plant to their preferred surroundings , and follow your garden come alive .
Balance is key , and when your plant are happy , your entire garden resonates with vibrant health and beauty .
© fbpd.org
13. Shade-Lovers in the Sun
hydrangea and astilbes , beautiful in their own right , suffered under the harsh sun . Their leaves scorched , and blooms withered , longing for the cool wraith they thrived in . transition to Sunday - make love varieties like lavender and yarrow bestow new life to sun - drenched spots .
If your shade - lovers struggle under bright light , consider plant that savour in the sun instead . Your garden ’s vibrancy depend on matching plants to their ideal environments .
Let your garden shine with the correct pick , and enjoy the exuberant blooms and leafage that follow . Embrace the power of light to transform your infinite .
© Fine Gardening
14. Aggressive Self-Seeders
Calendula and borage , with their cheerful blooms , seemed charming until they take in over . Their seeds unfold like wildfire , creating a jungle of unwanted plants . manipulate their bed covering became a unceasing chore .
By deadheading and confine them , I regained control condition of my garden ’s narration . If you ’re dealing with rampant self - seeder , consider strategies to keep them in chit .
Embrace the beauty of balance , and let your garden express itself without being overwhelmed . The right measures control your garden remain a curated masterpiece , not a helter-skelter canvas . Enjoy the elegance of nature in concord .
© Lawn Care Forum
15. Ornamental Grasses That Flop
Ornamental supergrass look stunning in catalogs , but flopped over in my garden , losing their bodily structure and appealingness . search varieties with sturdy stems changed everything . These dope now stand tall , adding elegance without the pauperism for staking .
If your skunk succumb to gravity , research option that maintain their form . Your garden deserve a landscape that flow with grace and stability .
Choose sagely , and love the spate of live beauty swaying softly in the breeze . get your garden ’s architecture reflect your imagination of effortless magical spell and military posture .
© The Better India
16. Anything Just for Aesthetics
Aesthetics once led my plant alternative , but I soon realise the grandness of affair . Plants that support pollinator and biodiversity now take precedence . My garden flourishes with life , attracting bee , butterflies , and birds .
This modification convey a deeper connection to nature and enhanced my garden ’s life force . If your garden is all show and no centre , consider plants that impart to the ecosystem .
looker and intention can coexist , making your space a sanctuary for all forms of life . Your garden will become a thriving habitat , bursting with color , auditory sensation , and energy .
© Better Homes & Gardens
17. Poisonous Plants with Pets and Kids Around
foxglove and oleanders , while beautiful , amaze a hazard to my kinfolk and darling . Their toxicity was n’t deserving the danger they brought into my garden . Safer alternative now fill those spaces , offering peace of judgment without sacrificing beauty .
If your garden hosts children and beast , prioritise safety in your plant choice . assure a hazard - gratis surround allows everyone to love the garden without worry .
Embrace plants that provide joy and security system , craft a space that ’s as safe as it is stunning . rent your garden be a haven for all , where safety equipment and splendour coexist .
© randomharvestnursery
18. Imported Species That Don’t Belong
Imported plants often brought more challenge than charm . fight to accommodate , they required extra care and resources . Embracing aboriginal mintage transformed my garden into a resilient haven .
Your garden will boom with less effort , becoming a natural telephone extension of the skirt environment . rent your garden be a celebration of local ravisher , where every plant feel at home and every beast finds asylum .
19. What Everyone Else Was Growing
For years , I mimicked the gardens around me , chasing course and missing my garden ’s unparalleled potential . hear to my dirt and climate made all the dispute . My garden now contemplate my personal style , full of fictitious character and individuality .
If you find yourself following the crew , pause and research what truly suit your place . Craft a garden that ’s uniquely yours , full of surprises and please that vibrate with you .
Celebrate the joyousness of personal expression , and watch your garden transform into a reflection of your personality and creativity .
© Gardening Know How
© Iowa Native Gardener
© A Cottage in the City
