The scale is not there yet. You either need to be patient and allow the taller growing plant to achieve some height or replace with something that will provide immediate height - a small tree or columnar evergreen would work. And the same thing with the hanging orchids - too small for that location. A large flowering hanging basket would provide greater visual impact.

You could also install a window box if you don't want to put something in front of the window. It kinda looks like you were trying to hang the hanging baskets so they weren't blocking the window view? If not, then most definitely a large hanging basket for visual impact like the person before me suggested. :)

Perhaps another vine and trellis on the center of the right corner (my right looking at the house) of your home matching the one you already have that way it doesn't look wide open over there?

Also maybe instead of the pot next to the block box planter you have, keep the shrub and add some white annuals in there that hang elegantly over the sides. Or some creeping thyme :)

Good luck, no doubt it's gonna be beautiful when you are finished!

I am no expert by any means. That being said I think I would build a flowerbox to run along top of your rail and fill it with colorful annuals. Then to the right of the wonderful brick flowerbox I would fill all that grass area in with flowers and foliage. And I agree on a much larger/fuller hanging basket. I think it looks very pretty the way it is so now you can just have fun making it even better.

I can't tell how large the grass areas are but I would consider eliminating them and extending the beds forward or plant some of that area with ground cover.

I have no clue what zone you are in but a small tree, dogwood, redbud or even a Jap. Maple would add height to the corner and I third the notion to remove the grass, it must be a bear to trim and plant some perennials or say woody plant groundcovers, i.e. euonymous, juniper, cotoneaster to fill out the bed area. By the way great looking steps they add to the entrance!

Here is a link that might be useful: Propagating Perennials

I agree with taking out the grass and adding a small ornamental tree. And the orchids are definitely not big enough. How about a fern?

Also, if you really want to add some punch to the front of your house, how about painting the front door a fun color?

It is a very charming house.

IMO there's no height anywhere. I'd add something narrow and tall on the right corner where it look like you have fuchsia. Then again, what would look best there will vary since we're not seeing an overall view.

I agree the pot in front of the stone planter should be removed, remove the two hanging orchids and instead put two chairs (maybe black wicker) and a small table between them. On the table you could place a large container of flowers. I suggested black because it appears that is the color of the cross-ties on the front porch.......maybe they're dark green!

Hi Xuân,

Where in VN do you live? North Central or South? Is that a rose bush I see on the right? Roses and orchids make me think that you are in Ãà -Lạt, are you?

Basket hanging may not be very popular in VN and can be hard to water them.

I agree with building a window box. Since VN is native to orchids, I'm thinking that you can get some more easily. Place several orchid pots in the window box instead of hanging them. Don't forget to elevate the pots a little so the roots can breath. You can also plant whatever flowers/plants you'd like directly in the window box.

In case you're not familiar with a window box. It is an open box made from wood or cast iron. Maybe you or someone can build one for you. You'd want it to be approximately the same length of the window, as wide as you'd like it to be but not so wide that it would block the front porch area. You can have it deep enough to hide the pots. Mount the box in front and below the window. You may want to browse on the internet for some photos and ideas for window box.

Another alternative, if you don't want a window box, you may want to place by the window area of the front porch a bench, or a porch swing, or 2 outdoor chairs, a small round table, etc. to fill up that area. Chose a color that pop out since the rest of your home is light in color. You may also want to place a small flower pot on the outdoor table to tie in with your garden.

If that is climbing Jasmine in the center, they will grow quite quickly. You may want to extend the trellis for the vine to climb a bit higher but keep it below where the arch starts by trimming the vine.

To balance the empty columns on both sides of the Jasmine vine, you may want to hang 2 outdoor lights or simply just hang 2 orchids (like the ones that you have in front of the window): 1 on each side. Again, keep it below where the arch starts.

By the way, you have a beautiful home and you've done well with your garden. Happy gardening!

Nga

Although, I'm sure she appreciates your suggestions, some of the plants you've suggested are not native of Vietnam. Xuan may not be able to find them nor would they be able to survive there.

Please keep in mind that the climate of Vietnam is from minor 4-seasons weather (north region) to subtropical (south region).

Hum... actually, I should have said tropical rather than subtropical. We do have rain forests in South Vietnam.

Thank you, everybody, for your inputs. Every word is highly appreciated! I will definitely "study" carefully the ideas to see how I can implement them and will updates with "after" pix.

Nga, your guessing is absolutely correct: this one house is in Dalat! We built it more than 2 years ago and I have been working to make the garden look right. The trouble is, as you've already said, I could not get the right plants to achieve the effects as suggested even though the climate in Dalat is suitable for almost all those plants that you can grown in southern US.

Again, thanks for your advice.

Xuan

PS: Nga, that's bush is an azeala. I have several roses, too, but they don't show thru in this photo.

Your English is excellent Xuân! You're so lucky! Ãà -lạt is the capital of flowers in VN. Its climate is perfect to grow just about anything. I'm thinking that it's similar to Seattle's (Washington) weather rather than the southern states. Don't you think?

Looking at the photo some more... At the grass curved area on the right side, I'm wondering if you can plant a short flowering tree such as a Peach tree, hoa mai, Japanese Mable (can you get one in VN?) or even a fruit tree to give some height definition and shade. Make sure that the tree does not have deep roots that can destroy your underground pipe or too shallow roots that can destroy the concrete walkway.

There should be alot of plant nurseries in Ãà -Lạt that you can ask suggestions on what to plant from the owner/worker, wouldn't there be?

By the way, I'm in Houston, Texas, where the 2nd largest Vietnamese community is. I envy with where you are and wish I could visit it some day. For now, I just have to settle with travel/tourist videos of VN.

Best wishes to you and your family.

Nga

I think the whole hanging basket/flower box thing is overrated; I don't see it as a necessary thing. The porch is charming without any additions.

What I think you need on the right is a plant with some more visual weight to balance the house a bit. The plants you have are feathery and amorphous; the broadleaved ones on the left are much more substantial, for example. I think you need something with big leaves, strong shape, maybe evergreen (though I don't know whether roses are even deciduous in your climate). As for height, gardengal is right that this is not yet any significant height - and that close to the house is not exactly where your height should be. I too would go out into the grassy area and plant a tall tree that will have a substantial look.

KarinL

This may be not a good solution for your climate, but I would say with the foliage types that everyone has suggested you are missing one thing... and that is the tropical yet smooth foliage of a Hosta. It may not work there, but on between your walkway and your porch you shoudl find some room for Hosta's if they will make it there.
This second suggestion my be way above and beyond what you want to do, but I think if you added a window to your upper level maybe centered on the wall ( even if the window will surve no purpose other than asthetic value), and put a window box ther with sweet potato vine or something similar... it should dress the front of your house. The first thing that hit me was how bare the top part of your house was from anything decorative... window, plant or otherwise.

Just my thoughts

Thank you all for your inputs. I could never think I would get so many valuable opinions to work with.
Again, my DH and I will look into every suggestion and see how we can accommodate.

Xuan

PS: Thanks, Nga, for your comments re my English :-)!