Renovated Landscapes Restore Beauty

When you buy an older home, you often need to replace the carpeting, the wallpaper or the paint because it's either worn or the style doesn't suit your tastes. The same is true of landscapes. Whether you've had the same landscape for years, or have purchased an older home with established plants; it might be time to consider renovating the landscape.

Restoring an older landscape is different from planting a new one. Retaining and transplanting selected plants is the key to renovating an older home.

Many times small trees and large shrubs are still pretty, but based on their size, have outgrown their usefulness in a certain location. Shrubs near the foundation of a home may have overgrown and covered the windows or other architectural features of a home.

A cumbersome problem of older landscapes occurs when one plant in a grouping dies. Generally, plants growing side by side eventually grow into each other. When one is removed, dead areas show on either side. If the plant is replaced with a new, but smaller one, it creates a "gaping tooth" effect.

To avoid this kind of inappropriate appearance, transplant the remaining original shrubs to another location such as the side yard, and close enough together to hide the dead edges. Then select new plants to replace the foundation planting. Consider grouping several varieties for added texture and interest.

If new shrubs or trees are needed in an older planting, great care must be taken so they do not appear awkward or lost among the mature plants. In general, older plants cannot be exactly matched with newer plants because of size. Rarely can you purchase plants large enough to match older existing ones, and if available, can be very costly.

When placing new plants in an older landscape, more shade tolerant plants are often needed because of shadows cast by the older and more mature trees. However, avoid planting new trees under older ones that will be removed in time. The new tree will have to compete for root space and light in the shade and shadow of the older tree. Even if the new tree lives, its shape may be permanently maimed. Instead, I recommend saving for a larger tree to be purchased at the time the older tree will be removed.

Older landscapes can still function beautifully with careful consideration of renovation and redesign decisions. Transplanting and new additions can help recapture the purpose and pleasure of your plants.