Every gardener or landscape designer faces certain challenges related to competition between plants for resources. In nature, plants are constantly competing with each other, and not all of these interactions are peaceful. Sometimes one plant can suppress another by extracting resources and disrupting the natural balance. These conflicts can significantly affect the growth, development, and aesthetic qualities of plants. At Ecolandscape Studio, we frequently encounter such situations, and today we’ll share typical conflicts that arise between plants and offer advice on how to avoid them.
Competition for Light: Who Shading Who
One of the most common plant conflicts is competition for light. Light is a crucial resource for any plant, and if it’s insufficient, plant development can slow down or become erratic. This is particularly noticeable when taller plants (trees or shrubs) overshadow shorter plants such as flowers or small shrubs.
For instance, if large trees like pines or oaks are planted too close to shrubs or flowers, they begin to cast shade on them, reducing the amount of sunlight they receive. In such conditions, shrubs like conifers or roses may fail to develop properly. This leads to weakened roots, stunted growth, and, ultimately, diminished ornamental value.
To avoid such problems, it’s important to properly place plants, considering their height and light requirements. Tall plants should be positioned where they won’t block sunlight for shorter ones. For example, the ideal spot for planting tall trees is at the back of the garden, along a fence, or at the edge of the plot.
Struggle for Water: Who Depletes Whom
Another essential resource for plants is water. Moisture is crucial for the healthy growth and development of all plants, and a lack of it can lead to their weakening or even death. In areas where multiple plants with varying water needs grow together, significant competition for this resource can arise. This is especially true for gardens with poor drainage or those where water accumulates in one area.
An example of such conflicts could be plants with differing watering needs. For instance, lilies, which require a lot of water, may suppress plants that prefer dry conditions, such as lavender or sage. The moisture required by the blooming plants may be excessive for drought-tolerant varieties, which can lead to rotting.
It’s important to choose plants with similar watering needs. For areas with high humidity and poor drainage, you can plant moisture-loving species like irises or ferns, which can withstand excessive moisture without creating problems for other plants. Meanwhile, for drier spots, succulents or lavender will thrive.
Competition for Space: Who Pulls the Roots
Root competition is another frequent conflict among plants. Plants with strong root systems can extract nutrients and water from the soil, creating problems for their neighbors. For example, large shrubs with deep roots, such as barberry or lilacs, can deplete the soil’s resources, making them unavailable to smaller plants like flowers or grasses.
This is particularly relevant for plots with limited space where plants are planted close to each other. Perennials with extensive root systems may suppress weaker plants by drawing out the necessary nutrients and water from the soil. As a result, plants become more vulnerable to diseases, fail to grow properly, and lose their ornamental qualities.
To minimize root competition, it’s important to maintain proper spacing between plants and use the appropriate soil composition that provides sufficient nutrients for each species. Also, some plants, such as ferns or bulbs, have shallow root systems, and they will struggle to compete with plants that have deep roots.
Harmful Plants: Who is Invasive
Some plants can aggressively grow and spread, crowding out other species. This often occurs with invasive species, which, despite their beauty or fast growth, begin to «take over» the area and suppress native plants. Examples of such plants include mint, wild grapes, or acacia. These species can quickly fill up space, competing with other plants, and ultimately harming them.
Invasive plants require constant monitoring to ensure they don’t destroy the plants you want to keep. They can threaten the health of your garden and its ecosystem. To avoid the spread of invasive species, it’s crucial to carefully select plants, especially if you don’t want them to become a problem in the future.
How to Avoid Plant Conflicts
- Proper Planning: To prevent plants from competing with each other, it’s important to plan their placement based on their height, water needs, and root systems. Every plant should have enough space to grow.
- Choosing Plants with Similar Needs: Plant species with similar water and light requirements together to minimize competition for these resources.
- Using Mulch and Drainage: This helps improve soil conditions, prevents water stagnation, and creates ideal growing conditions for plants.
Regular Removal of Excess Plants: Invasive species and weeds should be removed promptly to prevent them from suppressing other plants and disrupting the balance of the garden’s ecosystem.
As Martin Palma, founder and CEO of Ecolandscape Studio, said: «The most important thing in landscape design is choosing and placing plants correctly. It’s essential to consider how plants will harmonize with each other and the resources they will use. Competition between plants can not only weaken them but also affect the overall appearance of the garden.»
Plant conflicts are a natural occurrence that can arise if their needs and growth characteristics are not properly considered. Properly distributing plants across the site and combining them based on their water, light, and space requirements helps minimize such conflicts and creates a harmonious garden. Understanding how plants interact with each other helps avoid many problems, making your garden not only beautiful but also sustainable.
