MetroMom- FYI: There is a post on the remodel forum from someone who bought a home with a painted brick exterior. I remebered reading it so I searched and found it! You may want to read his post before you proceed. I know you mentioned something about a concern re: possible transfer in future. http://ths.gardenweb.com/forums/load/remodel/msg021538463187.html?9 Hope this helps! Here is a link that might be useful: ideas for improving exterior of this house

zipdee: I'm late to this thread, but love what you've done so far--the steps, the original door, etc. I also have a Northern Exposure and heavy shade tree in front and had some similar problems. We relandscaped last fall after our remodel and I'm really happy how it turned out and get lots of compliments from our neighbors. I drew everything out on graph paper ahead of time to better visualize how it would all look together taking into consideration walkways, planter beds, drainage and lighting--plants were last. Some things we did which you might want to consider were to curve the walkway and extend it to the side of the house where we added a gate and bike shed to store the kids' bikes (noticed you had several on your side porch) and also curve and widen the front planter beds. I was really nervous about the wider beds at first in case they did not look good, but I find it allows for tiered plantings and also brings the front part of the beds into more sun so I have more planting options. I also tried for advice on the landscaping forum and concur what has already been said above. What we ended up doing was working with the owner of a nursery and she was very helpful with plant selection and even made a home visit to help with placement. I find that using proper soil ammendments, plant food and Vitamin B1 directly after planting make a huge difference. I learned so much from her, just watching her work and now I feel more confident to do my own selection and placement. I just finished my spring overhaul (taking out what didn't survive the winter and filling in the blank spots). What I've learned is that good gardens (like good decor) do not happen overnight--it's an evolutionary process so don't be afraid to experiment and that is how you will find what plants look good and grown well in your space. Hardscape, drainage, lighting, etc. are more expensive and permanent, though, so it pays to think carefully what your needs are. I do think azaleas with a good acidic soil ammendment are pretty fool proof, though. Her fee was something like $200 and money well spent, though the landscaping forum will make you think you need a landscape architect or you'll mess up. Some of the plants that do well in our shady area are: azaleas, camellias, mother fern, Japanese maple, violas (spring/summer), cyclamens (winter) and purple palace; though your best bet is to go around your neighborhood and see what plants work well in your neighbors' yards since climate varies. I also used a bit of strategically placed ornamental stone. It looks like you are off to a very good start.

Hi zig, great house. I would plant something tall in the corner of the front bed beside the stair. Because it is retaining wall made bed, I'm guessing you can't plant a real tree or the roots would probably destroy the wall. I'd suggest a shrub with arching branches. I think bridal wreath spirea would be lovely. In the spring its long branches are covered in white blooms and after that it is just nice green backdrop. Make sure you buy a variety that will grow tall (at least 7' for that corner I'd think). Another nice shrub for that spot might be a tall variety of hydrangea. I just bought one that is suppose to grow to 6' and has lime coloured leaves. Next to the taller shrub in the corner you could do two other smaller shrubs - maybe a purple leaf sand cherry or european cranberry (red leaves) and a goldmound spirea. In the front of the bed, depending on your level of gardening and how much work you want to do, you could either plant colourful annuals every year or do some low maintenance perenials that will come back every year. A row of yellow stella d'oro daylilies across the front of the bed would look lovely and be almost maintenance free. A few hosta stuck in among the daylilies would add interest. If it was me, I'd probably do 3 or 4 large clumps of plants in the front of the bed - one clump of the stella d'oro's another of hostas, etc. Then you could do a couple of trailing vines in between. Another option for the back of the bed would be to still do the tall spirea in the corner, but then do a row of controlled hedge all the same height along the rest the wall. Two or three alpine current could be trimmed to have a very clean profile. Or two or three hydrangeas for a more flowing free form hedge. Just some ideas. No matter what you do, it's already gorgeous. Enjoy. A series of books I've found really helpful are by Lois Hole. You could look for the one on trees and shrubs and another on perennials.

The hardest thing about making this sort of a change is actually taking the plunge - my suggestion is if you are not thrilled go ahead and take a chance. I appreciate everyone's comments. I am suprised with such positive remarks considering the pics are really not good examples - it really looks great in person though. Thanks again for everyone's suggestions and comments. Hopefully this post will be helpful to someone else considering making a big change. With that said - I'd like to suggest for the forum that people ALWAYS post their actual colors when they post a picture. I know the lighting, computer screen, etc can make things look different but it is very helpful to see something in action as opposed to on a paint swatch. I would have found it invaluable.