Fill in landscape gaps
Fast-growing perennials such as butterfly bushes, daisies or salvias will fill in spaces while trees and shrubs are growing to their mature heights. Plant ground covers such as ajuga, ivy or sedum to add depth. Choose dwarf trees and shrubs to allow closer spacing. For instance, instead of planting full-size southern magnolia, try a selection that will grow to only 30 feet, such as little gem or Bracken’s brown beauty, as opposed to Magnolia grandiflora that will grow to 60 feet.
A good rule of thumb is to plant a tree or shrub half its mature height when locating it near any building, walkway or boundary. This might make the landscape seem stark or empty at first, but in the long run, you’ll definitely appreciate the space. Don’t forget that an average tree will grow from a sapling to the top of a two-story house in about 15 to 20 years. Always buy plants with tags stating their mature sizes because individual selections can vary widely.
A common mistake homeowners make is trying to get an instant landscape. That’s a quick way to waste money on yard development. A tree with a 2-inch diameter trunk can easily outgrow a larger tree because it will transition faster and is less likely to go into transition shock when planted.