Ask the Experts

Landscape Practices to Leave Behind in 2025

If you live in Dallas or anywhere in North Texas, you know our climate demands more from your landscape than it did even a few years ago. Think heat waves, drought cycles, rapid freeze events, and severe storms. These conditions expose weaknesses in outdated landscape design trends and make certain maintenance habits more costly than ever.

According to Blake Lambert and Angelo Quaglino, two of Southern Botanical’s senior landscape design-build experts, homeowners are moving away from outdated landscape design trends and toward solutions rooted in resilience, sustainability, and long-term performance.

To help you make more informed decisions, here are five landscaping practices to leave behind in 2025, along with smart alternatives rooted in sustainable landscape design and real North Texas performance.

1. Overwatering Your Lawn and Garden

Overwatering is one of the most common landscaping mistakes across Dallas and the greater DFW area. Too much irrigation can stress plants, promote fungal disease, and raise utility costs. Blake notes that homeowners are shifting their mindset. “Clients are asking smarter questions about irrigation efficiency and plant survivability. Less is often more when it comes to watering in North Texas.”

A better approach includes:

  • Smart irrigation controllers
  • Zoned drip systems where appropriate
  • Soil improvement that supports moisture balance
  • The use of Hydretain for moisture retention
  • Dallas water-efficient landscaping practices are supported by local guidelines

These adjustments protect your landscape during hot summers and conserve water long term.

2. Turf-Heavy Yards That Require Constant Maintenance

Large turf areas may look simple, but they create unnecessary work and expense in our climate. Turf-heavy designs require more water, fertilizers, and mowing. They also struggle during drought cycles.

Replacing portions of turf with more resilient materials will improve performance and reduce maintenance. Consider:

  • Climate-adapted plants in Texas landscapes handle well
  • Native grasses and perennials
  • Permeable hardscapes or gravel pathways
  • Layered planting to increase shade and reduce heat retention

These strategies support sustainable landscape design and boost long-term usability.

3. Outdated Plant Choices That No Longer Perform

Some traditional landscape plants have fallen out of favor because they do not tolerate extreme Texas weather patterns. Boxwoods are a prime example. Angelo says, “There are modern alternatives that achieve the same aesthetic without creating problems. Focus on native plants in North Texas that thrive with minimal intervention.”

Great alternatives to the boxwood shrub in North Texas include:

  • Yaupon Holly, Texas Sage, and Inkberry Hollies
  • Evergreen shrubs with improved heat and freeze tolerance
  • Drought-tolerant plants in Dallas landscapes need to stay healthy
  • Native plant palettes that reduce chemical use and support pollinators
  • Climate-adapted plants Texas homeowners can count on year-round

Choosing the right plant from the start saves future replacement and maintenance costs.

4. Ignoring Soil and Drainage Challenges

Poor soil and drainage issues are among the most overlooked landscaping mistakes in North Texas. Without proper foundation work, even the best-designed landscapes struggle.

Blake emphasizes how important this step is. “Start with soil improvement, proper drainage, and irrigation efficiency. These basics determine how well everything else performs.”

Priorities should include:

  • Soil amendment and decompaction
  • Corrected drainage and grading
  • Mulching practices that improve soil health
  • Aeration where appropriate
  • Hardscape placement that directs water correctly

Healthy soil equals healthier plants and fewer long-term issues.

5. Short-Term Fixes Instead of Sustainable, Long-Term Solutions

Quick curb appeal upgrades are often tempting, but many of them create more problems than they solve — overmulching, synthetic turf installed without proper drainage, improper plant placement that causes burn, freeze damage, or crowding — these shortcuts are expensive to correct later.

A smarter path forward includes:

  • Sustainable landscape design that balances beauty with resilience
  • Layered plant structure for shade, depth, and seasonal interest
  • Dallas landscape lighting upgrades that improve safety and nighttime appeal
  • Modern materials that handle freeze-thaw cycles
  • Outdoor living planning that actually works in North Texas heat

These long-term decisions build a landscape that performs well year after year.

How to Upgrade Your Landscape for 2026

As North Texas homeowners look ahead, resilient and water-conscious design will continue to define the new standard. Instead of outdated landscape design trends, focus on:

  • Layered plant design for a low-maintenance, year-round appearance
  • Smart irrigation technology that supports water efficiency
  • Outdoor living elements for comfort, function, and long-term value
  • Native and climate-adapted plants that anchor the landscape
  • Modern landscape lighting for aesthetics and safety
  • Soil and drainage improvements as the foundation of success

Blake sums it up clearly. “Future-proofing your landscape means designing for variability — droughts, freezes, severe storms. If you focus on the right foundations, the rest of the design will perform beautifully for years to come.”

FAQs: North Texas Landscaping Mistakes to Avoid

Q. What are the most common landscaping mistakes in Dallas and North Texas?

  • Overwatering
  • Turf-heavy layouts
  • Outdated plant choices like boxwoods
  • Poor drainage
  • Quick-fix design trends that fail under Texas weather conditions

Q. How can homeowners future-proof their landscape design?

  • Improve soil
  • Modernize irrigation
  • Choose climate-adapted plants
  • Layer plantings for year-round interest
  • Plan for shade and functional outdoor living

Q. What maintenance habits should be retired in 2025?

  • Stop overwatering
  • Reduce turf-heavy installs
  • Avoid outdated plant selections
  • Skip temporary fixes like overmulching or synthetic turf without drainage

Upgrade Your Landscape With North Texas Experts

Southern Botanical combines expert insight, sustainable design, and high-quality craftsmanship to help homeowners build landscapes that last. If you are planning updates for 2026, our Dallas landscape designers can help you create a resilient, beautiful outdoor space that survives the North Texas climate.

Contact Southern Botanical to start your next design-build project.