skip to main content

Landscape Design

Need Landscape Help for blank front yard

9 years ago

last modified: 9 years ago

We now have blank canvas for our front yard ater just removing a 30 ft. sugar maple. Our yard is small and we have a porch with railing across the front of the house. The house is slate blue with beige trim. Any suggestions for trees and shrubs that would compliment those colors? I'd also like the landscaping to be low maintenance. I was thinking knockout roses all across the front of the house on both sides of the porch steps?

Featured Answer

emmarene9

9 years ago

I don't own any so I do not know. Are roses considered low maintenance?

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (8)

cakbu z9 CA
9 years ago
Knockout and Homerun roses are low maintenance. No issues with diseases and they pest resistant. They are self-cleaning and no pruning required. I just planted 4 Homerun roses and hope they live up to their reputation.
cgross2004 thanked cakbu z9 CA
Related Discussions
Front yard landscaping desperately needs help
Q
Comments (6)
I feel a bit like a broken record (for the youngsters out there, it's a flat round thing that plays music in a machine, and when it's "broken", it skips and repeats the same thing over and over) but I'll write it again: Do a search of the forum for "blank slate", "foundation plantings", and "front yard". Read through the threads that turn up for a very basic education on what considerations are necessary when planning a landscape. There can be a lot more to it than getting some suggestions for specific plants and where to put them, and you may find that you get several completely different takes on what you "should" do, if not downright contradictory ones. Or you may get none, because landscapes are very personal things. Or at least they should be. Believe me, you will be more confused and unsure of what to do than you were before unless you are willing to take everything you learn and consolidate the parts you like into one plan. You wouldn't walk into a furniture store with a photo of an empty room and ask them what you should put in it. They'll sell you as much stuff as they can get you to pay for, but will it be "good design"? The alternatives are to hire a designer to help determine what will please you, and then help you pull it off, or to study, read, absorb, learn about different plants, experiment, and come up with your own design. I'll also repeat my suggestion that you go to the library or a very good bookstore and look at everything you can find on gardens. Once you have seen what is possible, you will know what you want for your own home. It's a beautiful home, a good landscape design will look awesome with it. Have you considered hiring a very good pro?
...See More
Blank canvas, need help with front of house landscape design
Q
Comments (5)
The photo missing is the all important, square-on shot taken from the street, centered on the entrance area, also showing space at each end and the entire front yard.
...See More
New Home! Need help with front yard landscape!
Q
Comments (8)
I think sprucing up your lawn quality will go MILES. I also like the post showing a corner tree, and nice edging/mulch. You have good bones to work with, just needs more TLC.
...See More
Blank slate yard - landscape design help needed!
Q
Comments (4)
Don't think of this as a plan, but as an unfinished, tweakable scheme that could be a starting point for figuring out a layout. At the beginning, don't focus on planting, but on hardscape and layout geometry. The planting will adjust to it. There's still a good bit of the back yard that is hidden from us ... the back of house and west side of garage. About running a fence across the neighbor's garage, I presume the goal is to hide as much of the garage as possible. The problem is that you'll only be able to hide part of the wall with a fence that ends up, after weathering, to be probably not as good looking as the wall could be if it had new paint. There might be regulations against doing this because it would prevent your neighbor from accessing his wall for maintenance or inspection purposes. Consider conferring with the neighbor and explain the dilemma. Since he can't see it, he may be completely fine with you painting the wall the color of your choice. I doubt he's given any thought before.
...See More
PRO
Yardvaark
9 years ago
I would have a hard time being happy with knockout roses as my primary landscape. Where I've lived (Atlanta/Florida) they become nearly defoliated for a good chunk of the year once they have some age to them. How pretty is a leggy shrub even though it has some flowers?
cgross2004 thanked Yardvaark
emmarene9
9 years ago
What state are you in?
PRO
Canyon Creek Lawn and Landscape
9 years ago
Be very careful with knockout roses. They are NOT low maintenance. They are the #1 shrub we remove for home owners. They will get up to 6' tall and once they are overgrown the bottom roots will look bare. Your best bet it to find an evergreen shrub you like and use it as the foundation plant that will grow to a height you are happy with. If you want roses then consider the Oso easy (3'x3' max height), Drift roses (2'x2' max height) or the home run roses (3'x3'). Can you show us a photo of the area you are wanted to landscape? Also do you know what zone you are in (what state do you live in)? What kind of sun does the area get morning/afternoon, full sun/part/shade?
cgross2004 thanked Canyon Creek Lawn and Landscape
cgross2004
Original Author
9 years ago
We live in Georgia near Atlanta. We get morning sun. Don't have a picture yet but will get one.
emmarene9
9 years ago
I don't think roses work as a foundation plant. I have seen many yards with them but only one was ever attractive. There was a hedge of the rose Just Joey growing in front of a railed porch. There were smaller plants in front of the roses. Later on I heard that the homeowner was a garden designer.

I never fuss over things like house paint color\shrub color. The people who post in the Perennials forum seem to know a lot about that. You could try asking them.
PRO
Canyon Creek Lawn and Landscape
9 years ago
Thats is why i suggest they use an evergreen along the foundation then step out from there to add flowering shrubs and perennials. cgross2004 if there are any large nurseries in your area the best advise might come from the people who work with the plants in your zone. I live in Kansas. Some of the plants i might suggest might work because the Kansas plant are meant to withstand a harsh winter.

Related Stories

CURB APPEAL 7 Questions to Help You Pick the Right Front-Yard Fence

By Matthew Ankeny

Get over the hurdle of choosing a fence design by considering your needs, your home’s architecture and more

GARDENING GUIDES 8 Unthirsty Plants Help You Save Water in Style

By Bruce Parker

Spend less effort and money on your landscape with drought-tolerant and native plants that liven up your yard

LANDSCAPE DESIGN How to Help Your Home Fit Into the Landscape

By Jay Sifford Garden Design

Use color, texture and shape to create a smooth transition from home to garden

STANDARD MEASUREMENTS The Right Dimensions for Your Porch

By Steven Corley Randel, Architect

Depth, width, proportion and detailing all contribute to the comfort and functionality of this transitional space

ENTRYWAYS Help! What Color Should I Paint My Front Door?

By Jennifer Ott Design

We come to the rescue of three Houzzers, offering color palette options for the front door, trim and siding

PETS 6 Ways to Help Your Dog and Landscape Play Nicely Together

By Marianne Lipanovich

Keep your prized plantings intact and your dog happy too, with this wisdom from an expert gardener and dog guardian

SELLING YOUR HOUSE 10 Low-Cost Tweaks to Help Your Home Sell

By Lurdes Abruscato

Put these inexpensive but invaluable fixes on your to-do list before you put your home on the market

SELLING YOUR HOUSE 10 Tricks to Help Your Bathroom Sell Your House

By Mink Home Staging

As with the kitchen, the bathroom is always a high priority for home buyers. Here’s how to showcase your bathroom so it looks its best

CURB APPEAL 7 Ways to Create a Neighborly Front Yard

By June Scott Design

Foster community spirit by setting up your front porch, paths and yard for social interaction

DECORATING PROJECTS Fill a Blank Wall on a Beer Budget

By Becky Dietrich, Interior Designer

Tap your fabric bin, photo box or any kid for art that’s easy, personal and hecka cheap

Sponsored

Nova Design Build

Custom Premiere Design-Build Contractor | Hilliard, OH

More Discussions

Which Vines do you recommend?

1

Seeking Garden Design Advice

6

Update exterior and add landscaping

12

Vines in Winter?

18

Is our dry creek eroding away?

8