“They are full of blooms almost continually, and I really hate to lose the tropical feeling, but they grow fast and are overtaking my pool landscape,” says Patsos. “I wish the plants were on the other side of the screen where they could get as tall as they want.”

Many gardeners are faced with similar dilemmas. Often, overgrown plants have to be pruned and it might mean giving them an unnatural look. Some eventually have to be eliminated and others relocated.

Having an attractive and minimal-maintenance landscape with few problems means picking the right plant for the right place, says Celeste White, an Extension horticulturist with the University of Florida in Orange County. Having adequate room for the plants is just one of many concerns.

Another problem she sees is trees, shrubs and turf being planted in the wrong light levels. Often shade-tolerant plants such as azaleas are set in full sun and sun-requiring turf is planted in the shade where it fails to grow properly or dies.

“Plants need to be adjusted to the site to be successful,” says White. “It’s important to examine the area for existing conditions.”

Besides light levels, check the soil acidity, drainage and moisture.

Gardeners know soil-moisture levels vary greatly in home landscapes. Where sites are naturally dry or well-drained, and you don’t want to water, consider live oaks, crape myrtle, cast-iron plant, liriope and African iris for the landscape. In those naturally wet areas that exist even during dry times, some good choices might be sweet bay, bald cypress, loblolly bay and cannas that don’t mind almost constantly damp soils.

When new plants are added, one landscaping problem Woodall sees too often is planting shrubs and ground covers too close to the home. One general rule is to keep shrubs a distance equal to half their expected width plus 1 foot from buildings. For example, a plant expected to grow 4 feet wide would be planted 3 feet from a home.

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