I would plant a small ornamental tree towards the left of the house (as you look at the picture) and several ornamental shrubs along the front to hide the brick, none of which would be pruned into Marine recruits. You don't give the orientation of the front of the house, so it's impossible to give any more specifics. Are you zone 4 or 5?

I'd also consider doing something with the "hell strip," the grass between the sidewalk and the road.

What shrubs are already planted around your foundation? What growing zone is this? So far I'm just thinking of a shade tree or maybe a small ornamental out front. More info will help.

The shrubs around the foundation are just mainly unruly bushes to the left (which have been pruned back since this photo) and various overgrown perennials in the front.

What type of ornamental tree/shrub would you recommend for the left? Something that would get us height would be preferable? Arborvitae? Any other suggestions? We're thinking of putting a long window box under the windows as well to help bring some color/interest to the front. As for the small shrubs in front of the brick (we also thought of this idea)... what do you recommend?

(adding photo directly into the post to make it easier)

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Oops - you forgot to add your zone and which way the house faces.

Btw, I personally wouldn't normally consider arborvitae as an ornamental tree. They are ok for screening, but don't look good for very long. (And as I am finding out, they drop nasty seedling things right about this time of year - there is a row of them in front of the patio at my new house, and just this morning, I tried to sweep it all clear!)

And remember, as you plan, take the mature size into consideration when you decide the location. Also, you might want to wait through the summer to see if any of the "various perennials" are things you might like to keep, whether or not you like their current location. I'm getting the impression you don't like the current bare look, and want more year-round interest via shrubs - is that the goal?

Thanks again for your ideas!

We definitely want more year round interest- a bit more fullness and a planned landscaping look in the front rather than what's there now.

The only reason I was considering aborvitae is because it seemed that we could quickly get height and some fullness. Like many, we are on somewhat of a budget, and would like to get something that would add a full look in a shorter span of time- rather than buying a twig of a tree that would take years to fill out...

As for the perennials, there are assorted shasta daisy and black-eyed susans that could easily be relocated to other areas, so I'm not stuck on leaving them...

Still don't know your zone or house orientation. Anyway, I was thinking of a small ornamental tree, perhaps a weeping cherry or a small crabapple if there is room.

Definitely an ornamental tree, and maybe some street trees if that is appropriate for your area. I love the window box idea. My neighbor just got beautiful ones at Jackson & Perkins, $300 for a pair of really pretty, strong ones that never need painting. I was amazed at how much they added to her house.

It's a cute house and to me asks for a "cottage" treatment.
I'm not so sure about the window boxes because they need attention to water when it's the warm season and don't have much to offer in the winter.
How about hydrangeas,rose bushes, dwarf conifers (some blue, some green in different textures) in front of the brick .Because you don't have much depth for a tree in your yard I agree with the poster that suggested putting street trees in. Maples would be great or drive around and see what looks good in your area treewise.

If you get the gardenweb bug you can eventually have a yard full of cottage flowers. There also lots of flowering shrubs to choose from.

Put a small flower bed by the front steps for geraniums, petunias, (pansies in winter) and you'll have the best front yard in the neighborhood.

Have fun, you have great potential.

Thanks for all the ideas. We've purchased a Firebird Crabapple for the front left area- can't wait until that arrives in a week or so... Now- just some ideas for the bed near the brick...!

Thanks again! This really helped!

what about a trellis on each side of the windows with some climbing roses. A nice tall bird bath in the middle and maybe a mailbox in the corner next to the door...i have one of these for all my small garden tools. Having something that climbs up the mailbox but not another rose but definately something flowery and showy. Then fill in with a few greeneries (hosta, and things things like that) and annuals and perennials with lots of color. I think color is the big thing. If the shrubs could go you could extend the flower bed on around and just make the color flow nicely, at which point i would move the mailbox from the corner to the other corner where the brick and siding meet. You could also place a nice shepherds hook with a cute birdhouse in the front bed or anywhere for that matter. Very cute house if i may add...and you can grow a ton of houseplants with all those windows there...is that a heated area?