House on top of a hill, need help with landscape design
I am looking for advice on how to landscape the front of this house. The photo is taken from street level. So the house sits significantly above the street, and the front porch is about 8' above the ground.
So I am looking for ideas about how to minimize the effect of the separation between street level and porch level and to generally soften the appearance of the home. For what its worth we have added some shutters since the photo was taken which helped a little to offset the big mass of white.
Any ideas or general theory on how to approach designing a landscape for a house on top of a hill (or better yet photos) would be appreciated. Also any specific plants (central Alabama) would be appreciated as well.
Comments (10)
PROYardvaark
6 years agokitasei
6 years agoRelated Discussions
Help with landscaping a small hill and patio pictures included
Comments (7)I've come to understand that organic mulch -- shredded wood chips etc. has more than one function ... I inherited beds mulched with gravel. It's gone in one main area. It's "buried" in others. I've let it be in my iris bed because they like the heat reflection and drainage it -- the gravel -- has given to the basically clay soil of my yard. I wouldn't have done it that way, and the gravel, although still sort of looking like a "mulch" permits plenty of weeds to do their thing. Rocks, gravel, whatever have their own maintenance issues, not least of which is that weeds soon take up residence. Laying landscape cloth ... ask just about anyone here who has gardened for 10 years or more ... won't prevent weeds for long and becomes an immediate hassle when trying to plant something into the area. It doesn't take long for enough soil to be added on top of the gravel layer to make it possible for weeds to grow. And, trust me on this, weeding out of a gravel mulch bed v an organic one takes longer and is far rougher on the hands that weed the cradle ... I mean the flower bed. When you mulch by renewing an organic mulch ... 1. You are freshening your weed suppressant layer. 2. You are reducing your watering chore in a way that more sun reflectant, heat absorbent materials, like gravel, won't do. The organic mulches provide shade and moisture protection for plants. 3. You are actually improving the tilthe or structure of your soil. If you aren't growing any plants in your gravel that you like, then you can, of course, use weed killers. And there are some instances when gravel makes sense. Maybe this is such a case. In fact, I hear ya' on getting beds mulched each year. It's just that it wouldn't be true to give the impression to others reading here that gravel is a magical eternal weed barrier. it isn't. And, it has it's own negatives. Not least of which is the artificial or industrial look of it. Wellspring...See MoreLandscape Design for Steep Hill
Comments (7)I think the problem is more than aesthetic. The soil needs something to increase organic content and to slow down water runoff when it rains or your brother is going to have an erosion problem. I hope the footings of that viewing platform hit bedrock. This link might be helpful: http://www.landscape-design-advice.com/landscaping-steep-slopes.html I don't necessarily agree with everything they have written, but it is not a bad start. From what I have read and know from experience, fast growing groundcover is the best way to begin if you can't terrace the slope. Don't think ornamental to begin with. Just cover the slope with something green and low. Even weeds will do the trick. Then plant taller, drought-tolerant and NATIVE plants from there....See MoreNeed landscaping design help for secluded house on slope
Comments (7)I second Yardvaark's comment on the plants on the side of the house near the AC. They are absolutely too close to the wall. Whenever you buy plants pay attention to the mature heights and widths. If a plant will be 5 ft wide at maturity, plant it at least 2 1/2 ft from a wall or fence, otherwise it will lean. Fill in with annuals and perennials while it's still small. And while I agree with screening the AC, be sure to leave room for air flow around the unit. Crowding it with greenery will interfere with its efficiency. Adding trellis to the open space beneath the porch is the quickest way to cover that void. See the picture below. You could paint it to blend with the brick or match the house color to make it stand out.The terraced area off the back deck was an attempt to add level space for a sitting area. If it seems rocky it is likely because they put down gravel. Consider putting down pavers so the area can be used more often. The end of this terrace where the path goes down the hill looks like a good place for a fire pit if that interests you. The few shrubs along that terrace edge are a good idea to keep people from falling over the edge. Add more evergreen shrubs to make it safer....See MoreHelp with Front yard Landscape design - Amateur needs some help :)
Comments (2)zone is not enough ... we need a location.. big city name ... do you know your soil??? what direction does the front door face ... are the only shade trees the one on the left .... if there is clear sky above.. im not sure i would even call this part shade .. if this is a winter pic.. do you have a summer pic to see such?? winner winner chicken dinner is done.. more tomorrow ken...See More- PRO
irisgal_z9
6 years agoIf the tree is important for summer shade a 2nd tree would minimize the solitary stark look.
If someone loves to garden an 8-12 foot deep bed across the front at the street, full of perrenials (daylilies, shastas, sage, carpet roses, etc.). looks great. A low retaining wall if desired.
How do neighboring houses deal with it? Laying out a garden hose for bed outlines beats any other method. Curved beds soften. Shrubs are usually planted in uneven groups (3, 5, 7, etc.). Always check maximum height. Pruning becomes an unwelcome chore after a few years.
As things leaf out take your camera and shoot what you admire. See what you can copy. Haunt the local nursery to familiarize yourself with what you like/dislike. Do you need low maintenance? Do you want a fruit or nut tree? Flowering shrubs? They may ID plants from your shots. Check out some oversized books with plenty of pictures. You can make your place a showpiece!
- PRO
Yardvaark
6 years agolast modified: 6 years agoI guess no one is going to be surprised that the tree screams out to me for limbing up. But now it's a predicament. The branching structure is such that limbing it up like it ought to be would disfigure it all the way to the top, because the major upper limbs begin very low on the trunk. (This should be a general reminder to people to pay attention to the branching structure while the tree is young and as it grows, and not think all the trimming work can be successfully done at the end. It can't.) Hard to tell exactly how close the tree is to the house, but its position (as well as its structure) is not flattering to the house. I'd consider removing it on account of that. If removal is not an option, then remove 4-6 lower limbs and improve it somewhat.
Actually, trees off of the corners of the house would be much more useful and flattering. For the time being, I'll ignore the existing tree and go with a scheme more like this.
laceyvail 6A, WV
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6 years ago- PRO
Yardvaark
6 years ago
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