Need landscaping design help for secluded house on slope
Hello!
We moved into this house in Chesterfield County, Virginia (Zone 7b) -just south of Richmond-less than a year ago. As you can see from the pictures, the house is in a bit of an unusual location, it's fairly isolated except for one house nearby (off the driveway) and it's on a big horizontal slope. It faces south, so the front gets a lot of sun, the back not so much.
Here are some more of the front:
The house itself is situated at the end of a long driveway off the cul-de-sac of the street. There is also an island in the center of the driveway which curves around:
I'm thinking it might look more welcoming if this island was landscaped a little (I can provide more photos of it). So far it's been pretty neglected and is just full of leaves (and some bearded irises I found on the end while raking), which I am trying to remove as I can, but the land is also uneven and hilly. There are some pretty tall oak(?) and pine trees that are very prominent in the space.
An issue I'm concerned about is, since we are practically in the woods is the many creatures that roam through-deer, raccoons, rabbits, etc. Right now all there is in the front are these Boxwoods.
And then there is this eyesore in the back of the house behind the deck, which I believe was once a rock garden:
Sorry if that's too many pictures (some of the angles were hard to get since it's so tall with the hill) but the property is pretty large and unique, and just needs some TLC. Does anyone have any ideas for me about what I could add (or remove) to make it look better?
Thanks in advance!
Comments (7)
Carly
7 years agoRelated Discussions
In need of some landscaping design help!
Comments (4)Judging by the landscaper's list, I'd say he or she assessed this area as relatively hot and dry. Also, that slope is a major consideration in terms of the ability of the plants to hold on to the soil and survive erosion. I also think you will not be climbing out onto that hill for much maintenance. Given those thoughts, I think several of those choices make sense....the low juniper is actually a very good idea there, the nepata and the coreopsis as well. The barberry is actually a tough plant that would do well there, however, even the crimson pygmy is considered to be invasive plant and should be avoided. So, it's good you don't really like it. (Sadly, I'm fond of it, but can't use it in good conscience.) If you do use the Miss Kim, I'd put them at the top or the bottom of the slope....I'd feel nervous about their ability to hang onto the steep part of the slope. You might also consider a purple sand cherry. I also think the boxwood along the stairs are a nice idea for framing the area. For trailing over the top of the wall you could do some creeping phlox, and/or the wonderful Homestead Purple verbena. Just some thoughts....See MoreNeed Help for my Unusually Downsloped Front Yard-slopes into house
Comments (12)I am unclear as to your question. Are you looking for general ways to turn it into garden space? Is water an issue? This is an entryway designed by Michele Derviss, a San Francisco area designer. The house is just visible in the upper right side of the photo, and the main entry is the middle of the left side opposite the stairs. If water is an issue, you could make the path that parallels the front of the house permeable with a drain under it that diverts water away from the front of the house by channeling it over toward the side. Here are couple of other ones from the same designer: Notice on this next one the center drain in the patio and how the patio slopes toward the drain:...See MoreHelp with porch & landscape design for my "sideways" house
Comments (6)I would most likely start it at the jog in the drive and and run it in a single sweeping gentle curve a bit to the right of the tree, approximately where the drive would have been that you are not installing. Make it at least 5' wide so it looks important and visitors don't need to walk single file to the front door. Steps should come straight out from the door so that they aren't too long and put a generous landing where the steps meet the path. Yes to a hand rail, and make the posts (or at least the casing around them) somewhat generous in diameter, not skinny 3" diameter pipe. Plant shrubs along the foundation, but not near the walkway and not so tall that they will block sight lines to the porch from the drive. Perhaps plant some bright annuals either in the ground or in a low pot at the end of the path. Consider some down-lights on the tree to light the pathway well at night....See MoreNeed help with landscaping design for the front of my house.
Comments (1)I like blues with brick. I would also paint your garage doors so they don’t stand out so much. And a big house like that needs deeper flower beds. And a big tree!...See More
mindshift
7 years agoI 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.
Elegant deck design from interior to poolside · More Info
Carly thanked mindshift
PROYardvaark
7 years agoIt would be good to decide early on if you wanted to add more lounging space at the terraced area below the deck. Regardless if you do or not, you should fix the retaining wall by adding another section/wing that turns and extends the wall until it terminates at grade. If you don't, it's going to self destruct by eroding behind the wall ,at the end, and it will work its way farther and farther into the wall. I'm not showing it, but if you're going to use the terrace for lounge space, it would be good to add a railing along the drop-off edge of the retaining wall. Plant a strip along the outer 3' or 4' of the terrace if you want to conceal some of the wall and add some planting interest.
Carly
7 years agolast modified: 7 years agoThat's a good idea about extending the retaining wall, Yardvaark, I hadn't even thought of that. I was thinking about installing some pavers on there and making it more patio-like. I like the idea of putting a firepit there, but my husband thinks it's too close to the house. It's about 30 feet from the back door to the far end of the terrace.
I just took these pictures: I don't think it'd be practical to have the fire pit at the top of that hill (outside of the terraced area, if that's what mindshift meant) there because that's a trail head that goes down to the rest of our property:
I also took a picture of this crack that's in the retaining wall:
The area is filled with sand. Do you think it'd be a good idea to just replace the entire wall while extending it?
- PRO
Yardvaark
7 years ago mindshift
7 years ago
Yardvaark