Are we on the right track? Front landscape
Hi! We are tweaking our front landscaping and overall curb appeal (talking with a designer now on possibly changing up paint colors on the home). I'm thinking about tearing out the shrubs closest to the house since I don't think they can be cut back below the windows without looking completely bare. Last spring we planted knockout roses along the front and boxwoods in front of those and along the sidewalk. Those have barely grown and look a little silly at the moment, but hoping they will take shape soon. Here's a photo of the home currently..
I did a little (terrible) editing to remove those shrubs and give more of a blank slate..
And then I painted the roses and boxwoods back in, adding in some cone shaped trees/shrubs where the old shrubs were before. There would be about 5-6 feet of blank space between the house and the roses (until they fill in some). There is a gradual curve to the beds and the mulch needs refreshing, so I painted that in, along with the columns being painted to match the awning which we plan to do soon as well.
Any thoughts? We are on the right track? Zone 9a. Open to suggestions on the cone shaped trees/shrubs if they look ok.. Thanks!
Comments (16)
PROYardvaark
8 years agoTo be honest, I don't think you're on the right track, both in terms of layout and of plant choices. This does not look like a yard to me where Knock-out roses are going to be happy and consequently, make you happy. Actually, it looks like a house where there doesn't need to be a giant, smothering foundation planting because there is so very little of the house to hide. All it needs is little adornment. It looks like you are trying to cram too much in and consequently will end up with the standard builders plan.
I would find a way to widen the walk -- even if it's just bringing the grass back to its edge -- rather than hem it in by plantings. Not horrible now because they are so small but it will be horrible in the future. Drive around until you find one of these that is grown and see what I mean.
mrsb2006123
8 years agoRelated Discussions
Modifying woodland garden and lawn - am I on the right track?
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8 years agolaceyvail 6A, WV
8 years agomrsb2006123
8 years ago
woodyoak zone 5 southern Ont., Canada
8 years agolast modified: 8 years agomrsb2006123
8 years agoNow here's the kicker.. The sidewalk meets with the walkway off-center from the front door. This photo is taken basically in line with the door. And the slab that the mailbox sits on is property of the city (they are coming soon to get it leveled). That whole front slab is off-center from the door..so will it look even more odd when we do the brick walkway straight? Any great ideas for concealing that mailbox slab? They have said they won't pour a new one, they'll just level the one we have, otherwise I might ask them to put it off to the left of the mailbox instead so it'll line up with what will be our new, straight walkway. Ideas?
mrsb2006123
8 years ago
emmarene9
8 years agoPlease do not paint your columns. It would look odd. The pediment needs an eagle.
emmarene9
8 years agomrsb2006123
8 years agoI'm a little confused how it would look odd to frame in and paint the columns.. just about every Georgian or Colonial style home I see has columns matching the pediment. This was suggested to me on another houzz forum awhile back to give the home more of a focal point and to be a little more architecturally "correct." Ex:
Thanks for your comments on the plants!
- PRO
Yardvaark
8 years ago emmarene9
8 years ago
Yardvaark