When plants don't have adequate room to grow real problems can occur. Often they lose their natural shape resulting in odd growth habits. Many do not flower or fruit properly and some become susceptible to diseases. When a plant is growing in the wrong place gardeners are forced to do some very restrictive pruning. Hedges are shaped like boxes to keep them off walkways and crape myrtles are whacked back to stumps.
Many plants turn brown and develop a dead side when too close to a home or fence.
When adding plants to your landscape make sure they have adequate room to grow. Here are a few tips to help you find the right spot for your new trees and shrubs. Learn the expected height and width of each plant before it's added to the landscape. Space shrubs one half their expected width plus one foot from walls and fences. Use dwarf varieties to fit the plant you want in the smaller spaces.