Avoid These 8 Landscaping Design Mistakes When Creating Your Dream Garden

1. Overconstructing the Garden

One of the biggest mistakes we see is trying to include too much. When there's more hardscape than green space, like endless paving, decking or structural features, the garden loses its natural charm.



A well-balanced landscape should feel like a retreat. It should have room to breathe, soft planting to anchor it, and natural elements that reflect the environment around you. If you're not sure where the line is, our team can help you strike the right balance between function and flow, ensuring your space stays both beautiful and usable for the long term.

2. Choosing Plants That Don’t Suit Your Space

It’s easy to fall in love with a plant at the garden centre, but if it doesn’t suit your soil type, sun exposure or your garden’s maintenance needs, it won’t last.

Whether it’s placing tall trees under powerlines or picking thirsty species for dry conditions, using the wrong plants in the wrong spots is a costly mistake. At Flo Landscapes, we focus on native plant selection and low-maintenance plants that work with the Mornington Peninsula’s climate. With the right mix of plant varieties, you’ll get a garden that looks good year-round and actually thrives in your environment.

3. Forgetting About the Local Climate and Soil Conditions

Every site is different, and your planting and design choices need to reflect that. From clay soil and poor drainage to salty coastal winds, the Peninsula has its challenges.



That’s why we begin every project with a deep understanding of your block’s conditions. Good soil preparation, thoughtful planting zones and smart irrigation systems like dripline make a huge difference to how your garden grows and how much upkeep it will need.

4. Lack of Focal Points

Ever walk into a garden and feel like something’s missing? That’s often due to a lack of structure or a clear focal point.

Whether it’s a feature tree, a water feature or a seating area framed by lush planting, a focal point helps ground the garden and bring rhythm to the design. In small spaces, this becomes even more important. We shape your garden using foundation planting, layered textures and focal points that bring everything together and make the space feel calm and inviting.

5. Underestimating Maintenance

You don’t need to be a gardener to have a great garden, but your design should reflect how much time and energy you actually want to spend outdoors.

Some of the most common landscaping mistakes come from choosing high-maintenance plants or layouts without realising what’s involved. At Flo Landscapes, we create spaces that are easy to care for, with plant species, groundcovers and layouts designed for your lifestyle. Because the best garden is one you’ll enjoy regularly, not one that adds to your weekend to-do list.

6. Disjointed Planting Design

A garden should feel cohesive. That means considering plant placement, height variation and a consistent colour palette rather than just choosing plants based on individual appeal.

We often help clients rework older gardens that feel busy or disconnected. Our planting design focuses on structure, softness and seasonal interest by blending evergreen shrubs, native grasses and flowering beds that evolve over time and keep the space feeling balanced.

7. Skipping the Master Plan

Sometimes you just want to get started, and we get it. But jumping in without a clear landscape plan or design direction often leads to regret later on.

From irrigation clashes and poor drainage to misaligned pathways or unusable garden beds, many of the issues we fix stem from skipping this step. Our design process creates a strong foundation for your landscaping project, helping you plan confidently and avoid expensive changes down the line.

8. Trying to Do It All Yourself

There’s plenty of satisfaction in DIY, but when it comes to landscape design, experience matters. A professional landscape designer brings clarity to your ideas and ensures every design decision supports the function, flow and longevity of your garden.

At Flo Landscapes, we take care of the entire process from master plan to construction. Whether you're focused on garden style, irrigation layout or plant selection, we provide expert advice and clear solutions that work for your specific needs.

Start Your Garden Design the Right Way



If you're thinking about transforming your outdoor area or building your dream garden from the ground up, we’d love to help.

We work with homeowners across Mount Eliza, Mount Martha, Red Hill, Cape Schanck, Arthurs Seat and surrounding areas, crafting beautiful garden landscapes that suit your lifestyle and grow with you over time.

Avoid Common Landscaping Mistakes With a Design That’s Built to Last

Planning a garden that works long term requires thoughtful design, practical decisions and the right team behind you. At Flo Landscapes, we bring together professional landscape design, expert craftsmanship and years of local experience to ensure your project is handled with care from concept to completion.

Ready to take the next step?

Book your free design consultation today and let’s explore how we can help you avoid the biggest landscaping mistakes and build a garden that truly works for your life.

Ready to create a garden with flo?

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