Can you make a more emphatic entry instead of those teeny steps? Maybe a low deck, or an arbor.

It looks like there's barely enough room to open the door without having to back up and fall off.

Unfortunatly I cant right now
we just put those in to replace some crumbled stairs, and they were what was in the budget, we never use that door, but have plans to build a larger entryway there in the not too distant future. Thanks for the input!

If your goal is to move the eye to the front entrance, then you need something at both corners of the house that is taller than the shrubs on either side of the door. A general "V" shape with the front steps as the apex draws the eye to the front door. But I wouldn't use anything too much taller than those shrubs because then it will dwarf the house. Just a foot or so taller, I think.

The two plants on either side of the concrete stairs are Rodadendron, they were cut back significatly due to damage, but are in good health. Are they a good choice for there? Also on either side of the Rodadendron, where the mum plants are sitting temporarily, what would be best there? I like the sound of ninebark but have never seen one in person, only online. Id like something that I wouldnt have to trim often. If I do want to go with a taller planting on the corners, what do you reccomend?

If you already have plans for a larger entryway, you should probably be landscaping with that in mind. How set are the plans? If you're pretty set on the design of the entrance, you can design the future landscape to be implemented after its construction and save up for money in the meantime. A simple sketch of your idea for the addition would help posters come up with suggestions.

-Audric

I'm not at all liking the idea of something tall at the corners of the house, especially not at the drive way side - I think that would feel unpassable.

The house is simple, keep the picture simple. I'd be more inclined to suggest a low natural hedge row, dwarf boxwoods maybe, with a tall daylily behind for some summer color and change. Pick out something that doesn't out grow the space and require shaping. To the left end and back a bit I can see some larger massing, small tree and or larger shrubs - a ninebark could go there but not in the front, it would dwarf the front of your house and you might decide to hack it into hideous..ness.

I love your home...it is so cottage looking. I would emphasize that. maybe an arbor in front of the front door that attaches to the roofline to look like a porch cover with roses and clematis growing on it....paint it to match the rails around the other entrance area to the left...plant something on a trellis to camoflage the air conditioner in the front window..I am not sure about your zone requirements but here in the south zone 8 I would have hydrangeas on the bare side of the house with some agapanthus, daylilies or liriope underplanted there..in zone 6 you probably have the climate (that I would love to have) for some miniature conifers..maybe one or two nice ones next to your rhododendrons..they are pricey though. I would put a smallish tree like a mapleor red plum at the right hand front corner of the house that would give great color but not right up against the house.... The main thing is with your beautiful cottage home don't make the beds straight and narrow...make them flowing and undulating...that way you can add annuals for instant gratification next spring and also some bulbs and other stuff. Again, I live in the hot humid south...so my suggestions may be all wet. I live on a huge lot with a 1970s style ranch home....I love my home but I would LOVE to have one like yours! It has so much potential!

JMHO,
Nanahanna

I'm sorry! I must have seen someone else's post to your thread where they were zone 6. What zone is NE Mass?

Nanahanna

Thanks nanahanna
I love the idea of the arbor, but I cant picture it, anyone have any example photos? I think that would be a great look

NOt sure what zoen I am now :) Im just on the border of New Hampshire

Since your house has such clean lines, there's a gazillion different ways you could go with the design, depending on what your style is and what you like and what you need. You're going to get better input and you're going to be better able to decide what to do if you think about these things and find a way to articulate them in your plan. For example, I'm all about "low maintenance" meaning I like plants that don't need dividing and pruning, hence my love for small shrubs and evergreens. Yet you might love a blousy, flower filled entrance, or a tidy neat border of bright blooming annuals. Or you might want to plant the state flower of NH somewhere in there! :-)

Whether you do it soon or later, the house is not going to come to full realization until the entrance stoop and walks leading to it are a larger size. Sometimes walks can be easily widened 16" by running a sailor course of brick, flush with the surface, down each side. Sometimes the walks need to be move and must be redone. The walk to the driveway seems like it might fit that category as it is very close to the house, leaving not enough room for foundation plants to grow to their size. My suggestions are in the picture (not specific to plants but about arrangement and organization.) Shrubs only at windows to prevent the smothered-by-vegetation look. Other things are perennials, annuals, groundcover and small tree. If there is slope next to the walk, I would blend it to the lawn and plant with sod