Large corner lot cottage with no privacy.
Wendy
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beesneeds
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What trees/shrubs best for large corner lot?
Comments (29)"I was hoping for some suggestions that would give me a few ideas, or a direction. " You were given numerous suggestions, ideas and direction. Evidently you didn't like any of them. In light of the new information, it's clear that you're chickening out of planting anything substantial because you're afraid it will outgrow the space. But you have plenty of room there to plant large trees. Don't don't plant them as close to the building as the others were or use smaller trees there. Not everything in the landscape is going to last for an eternity. That's part of owning a home with an established landscape is that it will require renovation. Just the same as you would remove spent seasonal flowers, you will need to remove plantings that have outgrown their space or are unhealthy. You have a blank canvas as far as I can see. I assumed you had some common wants/needs/goals for the planting. Shade, beauty, privacy. Planting small, short-lived flowering trees are fine as part of the landscape but I don't think anyone here would suggest planting only that. And if you had problems with roots, I would highly suggest NOT planting birch. The trees being mentioned here, especially some of the medium sized trees like nyssa sylvatica are very low maintenance will live a long time and add tremendously to the empty yard....See MoreCorner lot - landscaping for privacy?
Comments (14)Young trees will root better. You have to wait about three years before they start to 'take off' in size. Planting trees along your property lines won't give you privacy in the raised kitchen or on the raised deck for a long time -- and then, primarily in the summer. I'd plant some 'high canopy' type trees inside the yard, closer to the house. Maples form dense canopies. Partially enclosing the deck would help. Arbor Vitae planted around the base of the deck would provide screening -- maybe too much screening, making the deck look even smaller....See MoreBackyard landscape ideas - big open grass lot & no privacy
Comments (24)"They [low priced nursery/garden center landscape designers] are used primarily as a marketing tool to sell plants, often very common or less desirable plants, and what you receive design-wise may be very substandard." My sentiments exactly. One would likely get the typical "builder's plan" ... the kind of problem prone landscape that everyone can't wait to redo as soon as possible. The forum is good for giving ideas about general direction to take, or spot problem solving ... but it does not produce PLANS, which are essential for a quality landscape product. One has the option of drawing their own plans if they are DIY oriented and feel competent about it. (They can get advice from the forum on the mechanics of doing it. ) If not, as in every other project, they must hire a professional. But landscaping without plan at all will probably result in something less desirable than a 'builder's plan.' The approach one takes for a back yard depends largely on one's goals and objectives. Some people want total privacy, as in a private paradise ... they don't want to see any part of neighbor's houses. Other people want a more open solution and prefer not to block much view between neighbors' yards. Still others want to block sight lines between theirs and neighbors' outdoor living spaces while keeping a feel of openness at other places. One needs to decide on their goals in order for a plan to shape up that would meet them. In nearly every discussion of creating a privacy border of some type comes the advice to avoid a uniform hedge. I would take this with a grain of salt because often, especially when space is at a premium, it may be the uniform hedge that best fills the bill. Many people here are plant loving "gardeners" and can't conceive of a planting that is not crammed with as much variety as possible. A potential downside to that is more labor in upkeep, more space consumption, and a busier look. If that fills the bill, no problem. But there are advantages to uniformity in potential space conservation, a cleaner look and simpler maintenance. Landscaping is not 'one size fit all.' Develop your goals and set about to see how they can be realized....See MoreAwkward large pie lot, dont know what to do !
Comments (11)Some things you do, such as shed placement, will be limited by regulations. So you'll need to get a general familiarity with the regulations before you get too deep into planning. Don't add things to the yard "because you like them." Add things that you need, and make them be how you like them. If you need something, chances are a future owner will need it too. If you add stuff because you "like those things," chances are a future owner will not appreciate it, want it removed, and the ROI will be $0 or minus some figure. The "planter/wall thing" comment is why I'm mentioning it. (The same could be said for freestanding waterfall features that were quite popular at one time.) Redraw the plan you submitted above, leaving out all detail except the basic features (house, fence, deck, walk, drive, steps, etc., creating an enlargement at a specific scale, such as 1"=10' or 1"=8'. Use a copy of that base plan to sketch your ideas of where things should go, and their shape and size. Start getting specific about what you add, such as play equipment, so you can draw things their actual scale size. Submit your work here for a critique at any point where you want feedback. I would suggest getting feedback at an early organizational stage. If you get too invested in a design that has some elementary flaws, it will be emotionally harder for you to let go of them. Landscaping, especially hardscaping, tends to be expensive or hard labor or both. Try to keep your ideas down to earth so your plan doesn't become just an academic exercise....See MoreSigrid
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