Laceyvail- thank you for that information in regards to the rocks. I've always been drawn to them, but never had them myself so I wasn't sure. As you have stated yes my yard is very shady because of those very mature tall trees. When you say that the concrete path approach has problems can you elaborate? Do you think I should enlarge that path or what?

I think the little entry area should be enlarged at least enough so that the path can approach it straight instead of that curve. That would also enlarge the bed between it and the house so it doesn't get more and more narrow as it approaches the entry. It also seems that the steps coming down from the deck come down in part into a bed. I would fix that so that the bed no longer wraps around the corner of the house and the steps come down onto the concrete (obviously, you'll have to patch it in).

You could try the Calamagrostis I mentioned in the front at the left of the window. It won't ever get too big for that spot. But do make sure you don't plant anything right up against the house siding. All plantings should be beyond the overhang though the pictures don't really let us know how deep the bed is or how far out the overhang comes.

You don't really need true foundation plantings because you have no foundation to hide, but plantings of (deer resistant, if necessary) low shrubs and perennials would be attractive. All ferns and grasses, Pulmonaria and Brunnera are deer resistant. (There are many others as well, but I'm just mentioning those. ) Hostas are not. Nor are azaleas and rhododendrons.

It's the case that your front yard will never look nice if you don't get the lawn (grass or groundcover) into good shape. It's the largest "plant(s)" and having it be scarred up destroys the look of anything else that might look nice.

I agree with Laceyvail's comments about how the walk approaches the house. It should be farther from the house, approaching it from the front, giving more depth to the bed that is left of the stoop. Many times people don't like to change such things because it costs $$, so it's mentioned in case you are willing to correct a condition in spite of cost, or in case you're faced with designing a walk for the next house, or for others who find this thread and wish to learn about avoiding mistakes. I actually don't mind an "S" curve shape to the walk. If we were starting from scratch, I probably would have made that curve stronger, allowing more depth in the bed near corner of the house, and placed the small tree on that side of the walk. But now we're dealing with what is.

Here's a basic configuration in regard to arrangement of elements. Keep in mind that I cannot really see how much shade the tree produces. Where you place groundcover vs. grass will depend on where light exists. If you have no real light to speak of, it may be the case that your entire front yard would be better off being groundcover than grass. If you have light, you can have grass. Also, the tree is large and even though I can't see it, I see low hanging branches. I'm sure you could stand to (need to) remove lower limbs and branches which would have the effect of letting more light below which would help plants at the ground prosper.

Color is used to differentiate one object from the next ... not as a suggestion of what color you should have things be.

(The small, multi-trunk trees would be made from large shrubs.)

Yaardvark,

First I want to thank you for doing that drawing as it gives me more of an idea of what you are referring to. I have someone coming out on Friday to get the low hanging branches and hopefully that will give me some more sun because currently right now it is very shady and most of the so-called grass is like a moss. I have someone coming to give me an estimate on patching the concrete driveway where the new deck starts as well as extending the concrete to the front entryway. Once I do take care of the limbs and the concrete I will really start to formulate a plan. I will try to post pictures as I go because I am not much of a green thumb but I'm trying. I will look up ground cover for my area to see what options are as well.

I have the same shady setting as you..we created a path from aggregate concrete circles and rocks that were already here in the backyard..the path was free!!..has made a big difference..I then added shade plants..too plant filled maybe for some but I like it..some hellebores and hostas came up IN the path that I will move someday..

I love your concrete circle path!!

Thanks..it's useful and welcoming..my neighbors have told me they like it..wouldn't have ever had nice grass anyway..it's like a little walk thru the woods on the way to the front door..I think your house would look nice with a second path too..