Pic of my front lawn, can I do this? Suggestions? Total newbie.

16 years ago

Hello, I don't really know anything about this stuff, but I do know I should plant something here in front of my house. The little research I did tells me I'm looking for Boxwoods? to plant. I want to place them against the foundation starting from right to left from where the steps end all the way to the fence on the left side of the pic.

Don't mind the weeds further back in the alley which is growing from the stones. Those were pulled out already btw.

I want to give a little height to the area, not much, about 2 feet maybe(?) and go all across the front of the stones for two reasons. #1 to cover the visibility of the stones and foundation. and #2 to make the property appear to look wider, because it would be a long row of plantings from steps to property line.

OK #3 I like the look. I want to spruce it up a little.

I'd like to stay with the least amount of maintenance I can get. (see weeds) lol

I was planning on placing them in an area about 2-3 feet wide with mulch to break up the color as well.

or... Should I just get a landscaper to do it because there's just too much detail involved? I have no idea of the cost they would charge. I generally would, but I really think the cost/benefit of doing it myself would be beneficial.

thanks for reading

http://i19.tinypic.com/525t7qw.jpg

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Comments (8)

cissado
Original Author
16 years ago
Another question... I've seen round plants that look like the boxwoods but round and have a slight yellow color to the tips of them, along with the green. Are they in the same family? I'd like that look actually, without having a solid line of plantings going across. Maybe 5 across? The ones I saw were small, so they may sprout into something. I don't know.
laceyvail 6A, WV
16 years ago
What direction does the front of your house face? Also, I would seriously consider planting a SMALL tree in the raised lawn area, running the boxwoods only across the foundation (make sure you plant them far enough out from the house, not up against the foundation), and putting some other kind of shrub at the end of the house to camouflage the narrow strip along the side. I think continuing the line of box would look odd, and a different kind of shrub, perhaps one that flowers, would add interest.
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Your plan sounds perfect! We have the same issue in our backyard where I no longer have any grass. I would start with a small tree or two-something flowering that can take some shade like a dogwood (native or Kousa). Then, I would add shrubs planning the planting for their full size- azaleas are so easy and spring will be lovely if you have a large number of them. Viburnums are wonderful, too. There are lots of shrubs that do well with shade/part/shade. I love hydrangeas-my favorite is the paniculata 'Tardiva'. Also love the oakleaf and the traditional blues or whites-Annabelle and Incrediball are lovely. Once you have the shrubs placed, add the perennials like hosta, heuchera, ferns (choose some that aren't huge spreaders or they will take over-ask me how I know), aquilegia, dicentra (I think it has been reclassified, but that is the name I always remember), astilbe if you can keep it moist (mine does best around the the bird baths where it gets watered every day since I dump the old and add new). You can add annuals for summer color and I bet some sun perennials would work next to your steps as well. I am trying to finish everything here before I get too creaky to be planting and digging and going up and down the hill! Getting close to that point, I am afraid. It won't break the bank if you do it bit by bit or if you can enlist children and their friends to do the heavy digging and lifting-you can just point to where they should place things! It will look fabulous once you get it done. I have gotten rid of most of our grass in the front, too, now. Love the natural look. Once everything grows in, you won't even need to worry about mulching!
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cissado
Original Author
16 years ago
Thanks laceyvail. The houses faces S - SW. The foundation wall in the pic is not connected to the house directly. There is about 5 or 6 feet of open space behind that wall which was previously a porch that was closed in. I was planning on about a 3 foot wide/deep section and planting in the middle of that.

I would probably have to look at pics of what you're saying about stopping the Boxwoods at the end of the house and planting something else in front of the stones. That will give me a better understanding of how it would look. thanks for the suggestion.

I would really like to keep it simple... We'll see. I'll google more pics for now. Hey I found "boxwoods" already. I can find more. lol thanks again.

PS I thought about the tree in the past, but I'm not so sure. It would look nice from the house looking out through the window... It's such a small lawn though... I really want to cover up that foundation wall and stones and make them look as one.
karinl
16 years ago
Definitely you should plant a tree. What a house like this needs is bigger plants to make it look less plunked but rather nestled onto its lot. Surrounding it just with smaller plants, especially close to the house, has the opposite effect.

You can do the boxwoods if you like, but don't mistake them with low maintenance plants. They need annual clipping, and once you have a foundation bed it will need weeding (and obviously you know that story). You can't leave them in grass as you can't mow under them.

I think the place for you to do your research is not the internet but the local garden centre. Read plant tags, and if you are in a real plant store and not a big box you may find knowledgeable staff who can steer you to some truly low maintenance plants that they have and that you like.

KarinL
cissado
Original Author
16 years ago
Thanks.

Can you suggest a type of tree for the center of the lawn, in case I do that?

Maybe I should bring the pic with me to the local garden place. hmmm.
mjsee
16 years ago
You should absolutely bring pics (from different angles) with you to your local garden center. Measurements as well. If you want good suggestions...don't go on a Saturday or Sunday. Call and find out what their slow days are...and go on one of those. Ask if they have specific delivery days and times...try to avoid those. Some GC's even reserve time for such consults...ask.

Knowing which direction your house faces, what time the sun hits where, and how much sun you REALLY have (not what you THINK you have) will earn you bonus points.

Tell them the plants you've considered, but be open to their suggestions as well. And be certain they KNOW you are open to suggestions.

melanie

PS--I work in a garden center...if you hadn't guessed!
cissado
Original Author
16 years ago
Thanks, I may do that. I did find them very busy whenever I went, but I may take your advise and try to go on off hours.
laceyvail 6A, WV
16 years ago
Since your house faces S-SW, that gives yet another reason for a small tree. It will shade the house during the hottest hours of the summer. It will also make the house look cooler and more welcoming. Possibilities include Viburnum prunifolium (Blackhaw), Heptacodium miconioides (Seven Son Flower), Cercis canadensis (Redbud). Those would be my choices.

Pic of my front lawn, can I do this? Suggestions? Total newbie.

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Pic of my front lawn, can I do this? Suggestions? Total newbie.

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