When designed correctly, a villa garden is the most valuable complement of the building. Most of the problems we encounter during implementation stem from decisions made at the design stage. Here are the five most common mistakes.
1. A design disconnected from the architecture
The garden should speak the architectural language of the building. A mismatch in material, line and scale weakens the result no matter how well it is planted. We always start the design by reading the building and its surroundings.
2. Ignoring maintenance cost
A garden that looks impressive but requires high maintenance becomes neglected within a few seasons. Plant and material choices should be planned according to the maintenance resource the owner can spare.
3. Wrong plant–place match
Planting done without considering sun, shade, wind and soil conditions soon results in losses. The right plant, planted in the right place, gives the best result with the least intervention.
4. Leaving infrastructure to last
Irrigation, drainage and lighting infrastructure should be planned before hardscape and planting. Lines opened later increase cost and damage finished surfaces.
5. Forgetting lighting
A good garden lives at night too. Lighting is one of the last layers left to the end but has the highest impact; when set up correctly, it transforms the garden into a completely different space in the evening.