7 Top Foundation Planting Mistakes (& How to Avoid Them)

[@mollypitcher9380]

I had low expectations first this video that pop up in my algorithm. However, this video is REALLY good. The first reason is the immediate delivery of the information - no time is wasted. GREAT information is given. Of course, I’m going to subscribe. THANKS!

[@modbyarturo]

not sure what initially caused the low expectations?

[@PrettyPurpleDoor]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@PrettyPurpleDoor]

Yeah, that's a weird comment isn't it? Welcome to the internet. Everyone judges you 😅

[@mollypitcher9380]

@@PrettyPurpleDoor Hi!!!! I don’t mean to insult you at all. It’s just that I get so many videos sent to me that I become skeptical of the quality. Based on my experience, I judged you before I watched. Sorry.

[@PrettyPurpleDoor]

That's ok. Maybe just not the best thing to say out loud...

[@jessicalatorraca8507]

Hi, new here and loving your content! I’ve needed this. One thing: my contractor husband advises leaving a ‘ladder’ space between shrubs & house. As the gardener, I can second the wisdom of this idea; it saves many an innocent plant! 😂🌿💕

[@PrettyPurpleDoor]

Great tip! I usually recommend 2 feet so you can walk behind. But I like the ladder analogy

[@lynnd627]

Excellent advice for home gardeners! I thought I knew most of these things having planned and executed 4 of my own gardens from the ground up ( pun intended) and watched dozens of KZbin videos and read landscaping content but I learned some great tips from this. Practical and easy to follow! This is hands down the best YT advice that will make the biggest difference for resale and general cohesion. Now I have to go watch all your other videos !! But after I do some gardening work.

[@PrettyPurpleDoor]

Thank you so much! I really appreciate it and I'm glad the video was helpful! Happy gardening!

[@mrsmango76]

I very much enjoy watching your videos. Some I watch over and over to get more info and retained information. Please keep on sharing. I need all the help.

[@PrettyPurpleDoor]

Thank you! Will do!

[@leticiatojer]

Hey Amy! Thanks for the videos. I always learn something about garden design when I watch you ❤ Some constructive feedback here! I work at a big nursery and I also go to college for horticulture. In my experience, there are 2 big mistakes that my costumers make. One is not choosing their trees and shrubs based on the light conditions of their site - junipers, cedars, spruce are usually sun loving plants. People wanna put them in the shade. As a result, the plants look like crap in a few seasons. Light is SUPER important. Second, they don’t know how to plant a tree properly. They plant it sooooo deep in the soil the plant dies. Since you have a growing audience, it would be nice to talk about this in your videos. Your garden centre friends will thank you! ❤

[@PrettyPurpleDoor]

Great tips. Thanks for the info. Tree advice is unrelated to this video though (it's about foundation plantings up against a home). I would hope they aren't planting large trees near their foundation. But yes I should have mentioned sun levels. I believe thats in my Plant selection mistakes video from a few weeks ago.

[@MallouMakeup]

Thank you so much for posting all these great videos. I discovered your channel about 2 weeks ago and have been really enjoying the way you present the information, it’s very clear. Even if I already know a lot off the information you provide, I find your content very motivating and inspiring . It gave me the little spark of inspiration I was lacking to rework a flowerbed that needed work and I am not looking forward to see it grow!

[@PrettyPurpleDoor]

Glad you like them!

[@acgleason]

thank you so much for all the helpful tips and for being so concise!!!

[@PigletSaysHello]

Excellent tips thank you. And you explain things really clearly. Your students landscape results looks awesome 😊.

[@PrettyPurpleDoor]

So nice of you. Yes my students are amazing!

[@stephanieray6587]

Thanks for mentioning drainage, it is really important.

[@KiwiZD]

Agree, also not planting anything with roots that can block your drains, especially French drains :)

[@SlavaZone]

Thank you, all of your videos and articles have been SO clear and helpful to tackle my weird backyard!! 🥰🙏

[@kimmicannon5629]

Thank you for the advice. I've been gardening for years and still ever-learning. It's good to be teachable in all aspects. By the way, that green chest, in your background, I love it. Very nice. Gives me ideas for mine in my den come autumn. (New subscriber) 😊

[@BarbaraM-lv7pe]

Thank you for this informative video, concisely done. I’ve broken rule 7 on purpose, as front faces south. J&P roses like my grandfather had supersede a proper row of shapely evergreens. Bricks matching front façade laid shoulder to shoulder outline the graveled bed with a narrow row of soil for annuals in front for colorful annuals. Bed is divided gravel from soil with black vinyl edging which is unnoticeable. A copper tone Colonial style lantern and urn on the narrow landing compliment the Federal style architecture of the townhome. Not a lot of depth for foundation plantings in order to stay proportional to front yard depth (side walks etc) It’s not “textbook” but it’s a size that I am able to care for. We vacuum out rose etc leaves with a shop vac once every spring. I monitor the mulch in early spring and late fall.

[@pierce4life279]

Wow I so needed to find your channel! Subscribed and now will be bing watching😉. Thank you for all the tips.

[@PrettyPurpleDoor]

Awesome! Thank you!

[@robertadraper7729]

For the homes that is wrap for the winter, leave plenty of space or plant what you can cut back in the fall before wrapping

[@austintone]

First time watcher here. I live in California where wild fire is a major issue. We need to keep all shrubs and plants at least 5 feet away from the house. Do you have ideas for landscaping where wildfire (plus deer foraging) is an issue? Thank you for the video. Really enjoyed it.

[@PrettyPurpleDoor]

Thanks for watching! Fire resistant planting isn't really my area of expertise as we aren't experiencing that in Pennsylvania. I can only share what I know. Sorry 💜

[@user-hm5zb1qn6g]

Drainage No. 1. Definitely.

[@northwestlife2794]

Thanks for the video just wondering can I not have my perennial flowers planted a foot away from my house is foundation

[@marthawardrop1840]

Thank you for the straightforward explanations. Do you ever recommend taking out the lawn, or not putting one in for new construction, or new homeowners? Using native plants?

[@PrettyPurpleDoor]

Yes, pretty often in my videos I touch upon these things. I don't have any single video about it. Except maybe natives vs invasives. I have some videos on that. Also about 300 articles on my website.

[@ThreeRunHomer]

What do you think about forgoing foundation plantings altogether? It seems to me you could get an attractive landscape by planting in the middle of yard rather than next to the house.

[@PrettyPurpleDoor]

You can try this kzbin.info7BhNzNCHdAY?si=4Wgv40wn4z5sUAlw

[@dachreport]

Thanks for the video. Can you plant monstera deliciousa next to your home. I'm looking for some plants that won't damage my foundation 😅

[@AmbiPanby]

I first clicked on the video thinking it was discussing plants that are bad for your foundation (as in houses foundation). Even though i got the syntax wrong, i really enjoyed the video! I have not come across videos about avoiding foundation damage yet, though, and i would really love to see some coverage on that topic. Just bought a house, and had to immediately spend 8k removing old cast iron and tree roots before even moving in. All the trees on my lot are dead, and as much as i love trees, the thought of them tearing into plumbing and branches falling on the roof or the car is enough to steer clear. We also have honey suckle on a trellis next to the exterior, and my realtor advised we chop it down. But i would love to see a video on preventing structural damage.

[@derekmaynard5619]

Insurance. Lol, no way to prevent it other than, in my opinion, having a yard with zero shade, basically a house built in a field, see many of those. Really, it's best to research what trees to plant and where. Like a sugar maple, for example. The roots cause more damage the closer to the home. Some maples you can plant close, and the mature width isn't 40 or so feet. That would be a good tree to have for shade and looks. Also, do the winds usually come from the east? If so, plant it farther back or to the west. Or a different type that doesn't grow as big. Trees add value to the property and shade, which helps with the cooling bill and looks good etcedra. Also, how big is the tree? Is it healthy? Healthy trees only blow down in extreme weather, and most often, damage is occurring to the home regardless from the storm or tornado, hurricane. Pruning the tree is an option but some trees are way over pruned which leads to the trees death. Bot common but Sugar Maples are over pruned in my area. U have one in my back yard that was over pruned and the areas that it was pruned didn't heal fast enough over time and have lead to it rotting. Unfortunately I haven't found a solution to save it. Anyway, not trying to preach to you. It's your home. Just giving u a different perspective. Thanks and congratulations!

[@AmbiPanby]

Wow thank you for spending the time to break down some great fundamentals about tree selection, ​@derekmaynard5619. I've also heard something about fast growing trees leading to property damage as well because their wood isn't as dense? Does that sound right? I live on a block surrounded by rental houses that are losing their trees one by one, so I might have to get some consultation as to why. Anyway, thanks again for your input!

[@tpardue2593]

Looking at foundation plantings in St Pete, Fl. Clean slate…not sure need winter plants here.

[@ArtieMcYardie]

Japanese pencil hollie is a great evergreen for you.

[@jayduplessis7698]

Thank you for this fantastic advice!

[@PrettyPurpleDoor]

You are so welcome!

[@yaateeh100]

Thanks!

[@PrettyPurpleDoor]

Thank you so much 😊

[@kimcroteau6384]

Always so informative. Thank you

[@PrettyPurpleDoor]

Thanks for watching!

[@michelecloutier3536]

This is the first home I’ve owned and it’s a new build. So there is no landscaping whatsoever and barely any grass. I’m finding the idea of having to plan out the landscape design, taking in to consideration the soil, the amount of sun, etc., blooming, size, color etc - basically all of the numerous variables completely overwhelming. This is the first video of yours that I’ve watched and you explained things so clearly it gives me some hope that I might be able to figure this thing out in a few years lol.

[@PrettyPurpleDoor]

Oh how fun! A blank slate. You should check out my Plant Perfect Activity Book. You'll love it! Https://www.Prettypurpledoor.com/plantperfect

[@lianagilbert61]

i just bought 4 spiral junipers. Now I am perplexed where to put them. I think I will put them in big pots and place them where I think I want them and see if I can live with it. Or if they can live with it. Then I can fill around them with spillers. I think 4 in my small front yard is too much. Maybe 2 in the front and 2 in the back yard. Somewhere.

[@kata6691]

great advise!

[@bwebster4835]

Which evergreens can you plant with a septic system within 5-10 feet? Also a North facing space so mainly shade

[@PrettyPurpleDoor]

No idea. Do some plant research!

[@pongop]

Thank you!

[@SamBaker-z9h]

Do designers consider root damage to drains around the foundations? seems like any type of tree type plant would be an issue. same with shrubs with deep roots. Can you do a video on shallow -not spreading root plants, flowers, shrubs, trees. etc?

[@barbaravanerp4598]

We live in an area where insurance wants fire safety and making owners cut down trees etc that’s close to the house. Any ideas for doing “foundation planting “ to frame your house but keep it away from the house.

[@jthayer479]

Also... a lot of the time, plants right by the foundation is a bad idea. A flower bed beside my foundation destroyed the foundation wall after years of watering. Had to have a structural engineer come. Big trees are also a huge mistake as tree roots can crack cement. Aesthetics are really the least of it.

[@trishaspencer9956]

Yes or it an invitation for bugs and ants to have bushes right up against your house. I’m dealing with large shrubs that were planted 6” from the foundation….6”! Plant your little tiny nursery plant according to what it will be at full size. I get a tape measure to be sure, you can add annual or pots if you can’t stand how bare it looks.

[@dustyflats3832]

I waited many years before I addressed the so called front yard. lol, I don’t even have a front of the house because they set the ranch style mfg home so all the windows were to the south which was smart but I’m not sure how to address the back to look more like a house front. 😂I have the ultimate problems because the hardscaping just isn’t here. To avoid high taxes we still live here so I try to tolerate it. The other issues are with all the utilities into the house. It’s in the country and the next PITA is the wildlife. We are on a deer run to water and rabbits abound so I have to fence in Everything. It’s really difficult all the way around and coming up with protective barriers that don’t obstruct the view is near impossible and they are difficult to work around. And the land is narrow acreage. We removed a grove of nasty locust and choke cherry trees that were over septic line and dumped soil over stumps. We set statues and arborvitae backdrop with roses, perennials, boxwood and shrubs. To give shade I chose 3 very nice redbud trees. Still working on some stone work for sitting area and need a better barrier and may just section that whole area off with fencing. Then there is the snow that drops off metal roof which we want all that heavy weight to drop, but I can’t plant any shrubs/evergreens under that area or they will be crushed. This is also the north side so limited for plant ideas. Possibly perennials but they don’t give much height. We have dry sandy soil. I never encountered such problems in our past homes. It’s a real pickle of a problem. Then I struggle with the love of formal and cottage style and opt for the latter. It’s just for my enjoyment in the country so no curb appeal needed.

[@sm8315]

What a great find this video is? I’ve literally made every single mistake 😂, BTW do you consult ?

[@PrettyPurpleDoor]

Thanks glad it was helpful. I'm not able to do any one on one work (I get soooo many requests each day that it's just not possible). I do have courses and ebooks you can purchase at prettypurpledoor.com/shop-learn if you want to diy your project.

[@noora7773]

I was expecting to hear advice not to plant strong root plants near the house since they could create damage to the foundation of the house! Such as moisture issues?! Trees could cause this issue.

[@GeorgeLoch]

How do you deal with window wells in the front of a house?

[@PrettyPurpleDoor]

I always leave quite a bit of space between the foundation and the planting (several feet) so they really aren't an issue other than understanding whether to block them or leave space for light to come into the home.

[@katiekane5247]

I can just about date a subdivision by the type and size of the foundation plants. Then, to my horror, the place we bought had Burford Holly planted 1 foot apart and 1 foot from the foundation 😕 At least they took the radical pruning well. I might replace them all but they're huge, root wise. Good advice here!

[@YaSunny0409]

Even if the house foundation is lower than the yard, what we can do is to regrade two to four feet of the space around the foundation and make a good slope leading water away from the foundation.

[@PrettyPurpleDoor]

I'm not sure about that. Wouldn't it guide the water back towards your house as well?

[@sterlgirlceline]

🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌿🌳💚

[@deathstar51]

What is foundation planting?

[@lolazal1]

🎉

[@mbiliameekers2665]

A 6-12 ft bed sounds like a dream, but is completely unrealistic if you own a home in an urban area. I wish!

[@bEverCurious]

Using 'deep' to talk about horizontal space of a garden bed gets confusing when you remember deep also refers to how far down you dig.

[@PrettyPurpleDoor]

That's what it's called... What do you want me to say instead?

[@bEverCurious]

@@PrettyPurpleDoor Use the correct term, I'm just pointing out it's confusing for people who don't know. Maybe consider explaining the term instead of assuming everyone knows.

[@bEverCurious]

@@PrettyPurpleDoor What about referring to width and length?

[@PrettyPurpleDoor]

Depth is more accurate. Length and width would confuse even more people. Sorry it was confusing. I'll try to explain better in the future.

[@SuperBobbilicious]

Walking or driving thru neighbors seeing all the mistakes infuriates me in a deep level -_-

[@cynthiabercaw3462]

#6 - I would rather size control than wait 15 years for my plantings to reach their full mature size.

[@PrettyPurpleDoor]

15 years? Other than trees I'm not sure what would take that long to reach maturity. But to each their own! I prefer less maintenance myself 😊 thanks for your comment.

[@dustyflats3832]

@@PrettyPurpleDoorless maintenance and a better looking plant at maturity. Had to move a shrub previous owner placed to close to house. It was getting distorted from having to prune it.

[@deborahcampbell2400]

Sadly my entire garden runs like a corridor and is only 12ft in its entirety…

[@MeDusa68]

I don't understand why you always label these videos as "mistakes", cuz gardening is all about successes and failures. I never view any of my failures as mistakes because I learn something from it and apply that knowledge to future garden plans. I never give up on a plant if it doesn't survive the first year. I plant it somewhere else and try again. For me, that's also a part of the beauty of gardening. Great tips though!

[@PrettyPurpleDoor]

To get people to click on it. They are tips.

[@sharongarrett4356]

Will have to just read the transcript. Seems nice and knowledgeable, but I can't take the up-lilt at the end of every thought so that everything sounds like a bloody question. Nothing wrong with sounding authoritative and self assured. The unrelenting tone of doubt ruins the advice.

[@PrettyPurpleDoor]

Would love to check out your KZbin channel so I can give you an unsolicited critique of your presentation style... Whats the link?

[@mrssmallhands7516]

Wow Sharon.... I mean Karen 🤣 That wasn't very nice. You've been watching so many videos on how to talk to God you forgot how to talk to people.

[@smffboe7733]

She sounds assured and authoritative to me. She does have a regional style of speech that makes the uptick at the end. It’s natural in some areas of the Midwest, Canada and I’m sure other areas. I’m sure you meant well in your critique. I hope the transcript helps out.

[@PrettyPurpleDoor]

Thanks. I live in the northeast (PA) and it's common here, too. All completely unrelated to gardening. I can't IMAGINE saying something like this to someone after a presentation. "great content but I'd rather read it because your voice annoys me." It's sooooo strange. People need to be kinder.

[@summergirl15]

Same here. Every sentence ends with a question...🥴🤔