Diary of a Gardener Plant Amnesia: How to Avoid Overbuying and Create a Thoughtful Florida Landscape

Don’t make the same mistake I did when I first started my garden! 🌱

I know how hard it is when you walk into a garden center, and every flower in every color captures your eye. Before you know it, you’re loading up your car with plants of all shapes and sizes—maybe even a small tree or two! It’s as if you’ve entered a magical dreamland where all decision-making has been turned off. Then, reality hits when you get home and stare at the back of your car, wondering how all these plants ended up with you.

You have no plan. No idea where they’ll go. If you’re like me, you didn’t even have space for them in the first place! This, my friends, is what I call “plant amnesia” 🌀—a completely non-serious (but budget-blowing) affliction. It wastes your time, energy, and money. I’ve done this for years—even when I knew better! But honestly, I’m like a kid in a candy store or someone trying to eat Lay’s potato chips… you can’t just have one! 🤭🍃

🌟 So, how do we fix this problem of being a plant maximalist with an average Florida landscaping space?

A PLAN! 📝🌿

It’s really that simple. It doesn’t need to be fancy or overly detailed, but you do need a plan for:
✔ Where your plants will go 📍
✔ How many (roughly) you need 🔢
✔ How they’ll interact with existing plants 🌱

🌿 Things to consider when planning your Florida landscape:

➡ 🌱 Spacing – Keep plants away from the house, sidewalk, driveways, and pool cage. Don’t plant too close together!

➡ 📏 Height – How tall will this plant get? Will it cover your windows?

➡ 🌿 Negative Space – Don’t be afraid of leaving empty spaces! Negative space allows the eye to rest and helps plants stand out.

➡ 🎨 Color – Stick to a palette! Whether it’s 3-4 colors or shades that complement each other, a cohesive color scheme makes your garden easier on the eye.

➡ 🔁 Repeat, Repeat, Repeat – Patterns help create a sense of flow.

➡ 🖐 Texture – Mix different leaf shapes and textures for visual interest.

➡ 📊 Odd Numbers Rule – Group plants in odd numbers when possible (3, 5, or 7).

➡ 🎯 Focal Points – Pick one or two focal points and build your garden design around them.

📝 How to Make a Simple Garden Plan:

1️⃣ Grab a blank sheet of paper and sketch your space. ✏️🏡
2️⃣ Add in existing plants or structures. 🌳
3️⃣ Draw circles where new plants will go. 🟢
4️⃣ Get a rough measurement of your space to estimate how many plants you need. 📏
5️⃣ Remember: You can always add more plants later! If you buy too many, you’ll struggle to find space for them—defeating the purpose of planning.

⚠ Consider maintenance! The more plants you have, the higher the upkeep. Ask yourself: Do I have time to maintain this garden? ⏳💦

🌿 When in doubt…

Hire a garden consultant or landscape designer to help you!

And most importantly… Enjoy your garden!

Remember to always keep growing. ✨🌿