Stale Landscapes: A Tale of Common Plants Used By One-Dimensional Landscapers
- Joe Gentile
- Jun 29
- 3 min read
What do you mean by a “stale landscape?”
Simply, it’s a boring, One-dimensional landscape, very common to the area, that all landscape companies design and install so each property in the neighborhood, and region for that matter, essentially looks the same. I use the word “design” very loosely by the way, as it doesn’t take talent or much knowledge to plant, rinse and repeat. Very boring stuff for sure!
Why do landscapers design and install this material over and over?
Well, there are a few reasons. One is that the nurseries in the areas may not carry a lot of different material, but let’s get real, there will be some garden centers in the area that DO carry different material, shrubs, trees, etc. that will liven up that boring landscape, so shop around. Another reason can be that the landscape company wants to buy the cheapest, most common plants and jack the cost up astronomically so they have a huge profit, while the customer is unwise to their unsavory practices. A 3rd reason goes back to being boring and lazy. They say let’s plant this, that and the other thing and , wham, bam thank you ma’am, they’re off to rob someone else. Now, I’m not saying they don’t make your landscape look better than when they started, but when Mr. Smith looks like Mr. Jones that looks like Mrs. Doe, I think you understand what I’m trying to say. DIVERSITY folks!
Why is diversity important?
Diversity means, in this case, that each landscape in the area will have different plantings rather than the cookie cutter, boring, common plant material. It’s truly not hard and as someone who has designed and implemented new landscapes, the landscape is our canvas and the plant material, our palette. The trick is to take pride in the work and worry about the bottom line a bit less. Yes, profit is good, but don’t you want to be proud of the new landscape you’ve made? You should, because it’s hard work from start to finish. So, shop around and get plants that are, of course, appropriate for the area, planting zone-wise, (In NJ and Eastern Bucks PA, the zones are 6 and 7. You can’t worry about weather anomalies because they are not common occurrences. And when you pick out some new, wildly different material, still mix in some tried and trues, because they will act as your base.
What are some common, over-used plants that get used far too often?
Stella D’Oro Daylilies are popular for care-free plantings that will survive almost anywhere. Boxwoods, although great foundation plantings, are susceptible to too many insect and disease issues. Hydrangeas, very full of nice flowers, require too much water and fertilizer and are a staple of country and maritime properties. Crape Myrtles have become very popular over the last 10 years and far too many yards have them. This past winter in this area, you know exactly why these trees were limited in the past; because they can’t take the cold that well. Many trees died back to the ground or completely. Barberries are fairly care-free, deciduous shrubs with nive reddish leaves, but bbbboring! How about the yellow Chamaesyparis (Yellow Mop)? Talk about boring and overused. Even annual flowers like impatiens and begonias as well as New Guinea Impatiens have their place, but not in every bed and border.
What should I try to find and plant then?
Well, lets talk about pollinator plants like Joe-Pye Weed, Milkweed, different kinds of Rudbeckia, different from ‘Goldstrum’, Mountain Mint, Cardinal Flower(lobelia cardinalis) and so many others. Swamp White Oaks and Pyramidal White English Oaks are fantastic. New varieties of Redbud trees with fluorescent leaves are spectacular and perfect for specimen plantings. Spirea are shrubs that you can beat up and they will come back to flower, flower and flower again. Aphids are the only true issue you may experience, and that’s on new growth only. The list goes on and on, so get to your garden center, ask questions, get educated then go, go go! Be the artist using your yard as the canvas and utilize different, diverse plantings. You will have the show place of the neighborhood, as opposed to the Johnsons next door.
*** Plant Health Organics is a 100% Organic land care company serving Central NJ and Bucks County PA. We are PROUD of the work we do and know full well that what we do is BEST for you and our world. Contact us at 908-335-0553.***
~Voted 2026 Best Landscape Company in Hunterdon County NJ~
-Joe Gentile, Owner Plant Health Organics, LLC
With offices in
Frenchtown and Monmouth County, NJ
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