How beautiful! Are you in Minnesota or Michigan?

I'm not a landscape expert by any stretch of the imagination, but I was thinking that the two trees by the left window are too tall and the bushes in front of those need to be trimmed back. It would also be nice to see some color - perennials, perhaps, or even just annuals - in flower pots. Would you consider painting your door red? I'm thinking about doing that... and think it would add a pop factor. I'd also like to see some pots lining the driveaway.

Again, not an expert... just my opinion

kgibbins,
We are in Minnesota. I agree with you about needing color. It sounds like you would replace everything. The former owners put in this original plan. I have thought about a red or rusty red door to tie in with the brick.

I think it looks pretty decent -- maybe some judicious editing or light shaping is needed to alleviate the crowded feeling of the two trees by the left window as mentioned above, but I think it would be a mistake to rip all that mature greenery out. Instead, use it as a backdrop to any color you wish to add. Carve into the lawn along the walk for a wide bed of annuals and perennials, if you really want to spend that much time in the garden -- maintenance will be required. Or would you rather spend more time in the water?

Do you have carpeting on the stoop? I'd start by tearing that out. I'm afraid I agree with your assessment - you need more color. You also should get rid of the dated shrubs and dated entryway. Look at some of the Twin City garden/landscaper sites (Linders, Gertens, Bachmans) to get ideas on landscaping. I'd tear out the steps and sidewalk and replace it with some nice stone in a natural color, replace your green green shrubs with a mixed assortment of evergreens, deciduous shrubs, and perennials that offer more color variety. Also consider putting something in front of the sidewalk, such as perennials/shrubs to edge it. Also I'd add a lawn "feature" like an oval perennial garden with some rocks, or a water feature (pond or fountain) or pergola. Something to give your beautiful house some umph!

I too would think rejuvenation rather than clean slate unless you are working with an expert and have budget for mature specimens.

Start by identifying each of your shrubs and groundcovers. That helps you see what takes what kind of pruning and also what it would "cost" to replace mature shrubs. So you can get an idea of what would work well as backbones and where to integrate new shrubs--it's not that you can't rip some out, but need to be more knowledgable, if you can, on which give best bang as-is vs. what and where to replace or to build outward with another layer. For example, red or purple shrubs would fade away if just in front of the red brick, so if you rip all out, you still have to think what goes where; if you like gray or lime foliage, it stands out against dark green and can then mix other colors in front. some shrubs would fasat-growing and need to be pruned back each year and is a pain (for me) whereas others can be shaped and reduced and need less maintenance. Also, all "greens" are not equal--so look up close and see, do you LIKE the foliage on one type more than others--then don't rip that out only to replace with the same later. I'm assuming from what you said that these don't bloom, but again, I can't tell from photo whether there're any bonus features like blooms or berries.

It would also be helpful for you to be informed about what types of "colorful" things do well in your zone--particularly hardy shrubs --because again, you'll want to do a little window shopping--other neighborhoods, nurseries-- and see what appeals to you & read about the growth and requirements..

I don't know your zone at all, so I'll only say that something must be done about some of those evergreens. Some are already impinging significantly on your windowspace, and the two tall ones are about to do so. They'll only grow larger.

Similarly, the mugo pine (?) on the left has already made significant strides in its plot to take over the front walk. Get out your clippers and show it who's boss!

Wow.. I really like the view from your last photo looking down the sight -line of the road to the front door. I would thank your former house owners for this design, as it appears the brush has been kept back to allow for this view. I have a friend with a similar house in the woods setp-up. You drive down some scarey Deliverance road, but then take a turn to see their front door in the distance... really inviting and warming.

I would start any re-design using this last photo as the starting point and a criteria to measure success against.

Consider replacing the tree to the right of the driveway with another evergreen ground-hugging tree with color like a blue spruce. For more up-close color look into some colorful hosta.

Also you do have colors in your current landscape dark greens and light greens. Some textural varienty with broad leaf evergreens is something to consider as well.

Yes, that carpeting on the step is awful and I have already started getting quotes for refinishing the step. I agree 100%

While the main house facade is symmetric the garage to the side makes the whole asymmetric. Therefore I would lose the matching pairs of plants and not install any additional formally symmetric landscape elements. I would also lose the Builder's Delight (my term) unimaginative right angle front walk, replacing it instead with a curving one that lines up with the vicinity of car doors parked in the drive instead of the main garage door. I did that here and it has been much better. Walking a short distance from the garage door to the walk entrance has not been a hardship.

In the back you have decorative lattice skirting the deck so the foundation shrubs actually look a bit redundant and intrusive. The main point of view will also be out from the deck to the lake, rather than back at the house. So, it might be best to just have lawn in front of the deck.

I completely agree with eliminating the symmetrical look. The yard is huge (1.7 acres) with many gardens so what ever I put in there needs to be low maintenance and suitable for north exposure. Now shown in the photos are several other gardens with perennials, etc. that keep me very busy. Ideas for low maintenance north side plantings?

The symetric look is dominated by the house facade and it would look like a smoother transition if some of the design supported this dominant feature to a degree.

Currently the plantings are not really totally symetric anyway. For instance the tall spikey plants around the left window (closest to the garage) are not replicated on the opposite side of the door. Losing the tall spikey plant between the left window and the front door is an option.

Also for the rest of the design, it's not the type of plant that matters most but where it's put that makes the design. If you must go for the plants now, then as suggested above Hosta are good for snow loading, northern exposure, and generally low-maintenance.

Not written for the same region but there are multiple fundamental points that apply, such as

"2. SKIP THE FORMALITY

Not all formal effects create work; crisp areas of paving, simple water features, decorative walls, sheets of neat groundcovers are about as carefree as anything. But tightly sheared hedges, topiary shrubs, long soldier courses of identically shaped trees demand regular attention. Also, when any of your matching plant sculptures dies, it may be impossible to replace. A garden in a softer, more natural style will forgive lapses in maintenance"

Here is a link that might be useful: Colvos Creek Nursery Plant Notes