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Landscape Design

Semi-low maintenance curb appeal

Brandon Compton

7 years ago

Looking for a little help from you all. I've been reading through a whole bunch of different threads that have been posted, and you guys definitely know a thing or two about making a lawn look good. Now my yard isn't anywhere near as big as a lot of the ones that have been posted, but I am pretty happy with it.

The grass is still a work in progress. It is currently a mix of bermuda/st augustine that can't make up its mind on what wants to take over. I've been encourage the Bermuda, so it is slowly winning, but i am getting tired trying to nurse the bermuda along and may doing a total kill and replacing it all with some Emerald Zoysia.

The dead/brown spot in the yard is from where I cut down an oak tree that was leaning way too close to the house. The other oak that is in the yard will be staying. I have no interest in adding anymore trees. And while there may not be much that can be done to pretty things up, I do appreciate the time you take to look things over, and give me your opinions.

I am located in Helotes, TX, right outside of San Antonio.

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Yardvaark
7 years ago
last modified: 7 years ago
Your overall goal is to create improved appearance and low maintenance?

It was nice of you to show up with a continuous spread of photos. It makes everything easier to understand.

The word "tree" has different meanings to different people. To me it does not mean size, but form. A huge variety of forms. You state no new trees, but what if some small trees is one of the things your property is begging for? Then how are you supposed to be helped? And out of curiosity, why did you create that rule?

If I moved in tomorrow, the hedge and all the shrubs would be sawed down by tomorrow night. To be replaced with something lower. If you sit on the porch and want a small sense of privacy I would suggest something with a wispy quality.
waynedanielson
7 years ago
Easy answer on curb appeal is, replace the shrubs in front of porch. Personally, I like the idea of there being a hedge there, but I'd plant something that would grow to be...wait for it...as tall as you want it to be at maturity.

What i'm not sure on is what exactly the question is. Curb appeal? dress up the lawn, replace the foundation planting. Is that all you want?

follow up questions...what can you do? For instance, can you plant something that would act as a privacy screen between you and the next house? and that might be a zoning question. what's the arrangements between the houses? could you create a path that would be enticing to the rear?

It appears as though there isn't exactly a lot of creativity in planting schemes as I look up and down from you...that may be regulated, or it may just be that way, because there's limited space, and with is comes limited ability to do stuff.
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I am in the same boat as your friend, being disabled and not able to do much in the garden besides deadhead and very occasionally water. I researched low-maintenance plants, drought tolerant, etc. One thing I use a lot is monkey grass (AKA liriope), blooming shrubs like roses, and a native verbena that spreads like mad, comes back every year and requires no upkeep, only removing the dead ones in the winter. lessee, what else, I love bulbs and have had DH plant tons, so I get lots of spring colors... moss roses self-seeded; I put in 2 crepe myrtles but have since removed them cus I wanted the space for roses instead. I grow tea and china roses, the antique ones that don't need sprayed or fussed over... herbs like mint also make great groundcovers but aren't evergreen for me. I think the plan to replace the lawn with ground covers is the way to go - your climate is very different then mine here on the right coast. Maybe a rock garden would look right?
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Boxwood is usually a good hedge, nice green color. I would get a door without oval glass & brass before I touched the gable. Paint the door the same color as the window trim
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You can find out the type of tree by downloading the PlantSnap app and taking a pic of the leaves. It will probably be able to tell you. Or post the tree and leaves and your area (nearest large city) so that those in the landscape forum here on Houzz can ID it. There are many talented people on that forum
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In the real world, walks are a way to get from point A to point B. Humans (and dogs and a few other species) will always take the shortest route, which is also known as a straight line. Unless a curved path is curving around an obvious obstacle, people will take short cuts across the curves. On a smallish lot, where the rectilinear aspects of the house are unavoidable, there is no reason to fight the straight line. So where do people actually walk? If they are going from the house to the sidewalk, the walk should be a straight line from the house to the sidewalk. As for the retaining walls in the backyard, I'm not sure what they are supposed to accomplish, aside from moving money from your pockets into the landscapers.
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emmarene9
7 years ago
Bermuda grass does not thrive in shade. I wouldn't bother to kill it, just over seed with some shade loving grass. I don't understand the bare spot at the corner. It seems to be away from the shade.

I also do not care for the double hedge that blocks the view of the porch. I would prefer groundcover there.
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7 years ago
kitasei
7 years ago
I don't think there is a landscaping solution to concealing the truck. It belongs inside the garage. Forgive me if i'm way off base. I'm from the northeast. Maybe things are different in Texas.

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