Need design help for front yard landscape.

6 years ago

I have a long narrow front yard hardscape that needs some design help. We can only put potted plants on flagstone and gravel base.

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (4)

NHBabs z4b-5a NH
6 years ago
We really need a bit more info:

How narrow is narrow? Or, what are the bed's dimensions?

Do you have a homeowners' association that you need to work with?

Is irrigation currently available or do you plan to have it added?

What is your general location on earth (such as the nearest large city) and what is your growing zone? (USDA and/or Sunset if you are in the western US.)

Is this the entire frontage of your property or is there a driveway or trees or other things visible from the street? If there are other things visible either on your or the adjoining properties, it would be helpful to show them as well so we see the context of this bed.
PRO
Yardvaark
6 years ago
Also, explain why you can only do potted plants ... which will probably work only if you have irrigation.
Related Discussions
landscape design for front yard help
Q
Comments (6)
This struck me as very familiar - see Sat, Mar 10, 12 at 12:29 linked below. I don't mean to suggest the same situation can't be posted more than once, but perhaps that thread of almost 13 months ago exhausted the ideas. Here is a link that might be useful: Front yard landscaping help, Pt. 1
...See More
Need help with front yard landscape design
Q
Comments (10)
IMO, you must remove all of the existing shrubbery and replace it with things more promising. The existing shrubbery is wounded, downtrodden and has little chance of recovering. Plus, it was not chosen for low maintenance or excitement. Just start over. You stand a much better chance of making something good out of new plants ... planted a little farther from the wall so they have room to grow. A retaining wall is only necessary if you need to fix the grade for functional purposes, which doesn't seem to be the case. Instead, compensate for the falling grade by using a larger shrub at the low end and lesser height shrubs as the grade rises. In the area around the porch and farther left, you could get away with a single type of plant. (Any hedge that is part of a foundation planting should be trimmed level, not parallel to the grade ... so as to make the house appear stable.) Some color are around the entrance could help cheer up the overall scene. You really need to learn the proper way to trim shrubs as it will make an astounding difference. In order to keep the lower foliage, shrubs must be trimmed wider at the bottom then they are at the top. Of course, select varieties that can stand the existing light conditions as well.
...See More
Landscape Design help for front yard!
Q
Comments (6)
If you decide to use Incrediballs (which I love), know that they seem to want to be BIG. I have some in my front yard, eastern exposure, that were planted in 2010. Last year I left them unpruned (just deadheaded in spring and cleaned up a bit) to see what they'd do. It ended up that I had to cut back some of the new stems (the new growth from the base) at 36" and sacrifice their flowers just to keep the shrubs somewhat symmetrical. Some new branches looked to be heading toward 5', but they weren't spread evenly over the Incrediballs I have planted together. Love your house - it's really very attractive! And Yardvaark, I've been lurking here a lot lately, and always appreciate your designs. You've helped me see things in my own yard differently. Unfortunately, that means that a couple things leftover from my 30-year-old landscaping bug me even more than they used to, but hey, when I'm ready to replace them, I'll be better prepared. :-)
...See More
Need help for Front Yard Landscaping-Live in Florida
Q
Comments (7)
We don't need house only, but show some space around it -- to each side, and the roof . If you back up into the street and take a picture (not too far away) that ought to do it. An alternative method is to stand where you took the second picture, then pivot the camera left and then right (overlapping each picture slightly with the first) so that all pictures can be put together. Imagine if you were picking furniture for a room. If someone showed you a picture of only the wall where the couch would go, you'd be puzzled about whether you needed other chairs, end tables, lamps, pictures, etc. Based on the picture, you'd only know that you needed a couch.
...See More
Josue (Zone 9b, Central, inland California)
6 years ago
Judging by the (not-sunburned in full sun) archonotophoenix in the picture, I'm going to guess that if you're in the US, you're in coastal Southern California or coastal central California. The fence looks very modern. Is the house in keeping with that look also?

If this space were mine to work with, I'd grow a bright red colored bougainvillea on the far right (San Diego Red or Purple Robe would really stand out against the white wall) and train it across the top of the fence. Then I'd use terra cotta pots and grow dramatic agaves like Agave attenuata, Agave blue flame or Agave desmettiana Joe Hoak. If my guess was correct and you are in fact in coastal California, the agave will not need irrigation. The bougainvillea might need water once a month once it's established.
bernik
6 years ago
can you plant some climbers? if you put some trellis up the wall they can cover it... I would look for some green-leaved variety like ivy. But not sure if with work in your area due to climate.

Related Stories

CURB APPEAL 7 Questions to Help You Pick the Right Front-Yard Fence

By Matthew Ankeny

Get over the hurdle of choosing a fence design by considering your needs, your home’s architecture and more

Full Story

LANDSCAPE DESIGN A New England Front Yard Designed for Relaxation and Resilience

By Annie Thornton

Bluestone paving, raised beds and ornamental plantings transform a compact yard near Boston

Full Story

FRONT YARD IDEAS Meet a Front Yard Designed for Gathering

By Bonnie Monte

Hanging out with neighbors comes naturally in front of a Southern California home, thanks to comfortable zones and beautiful plantings

Full Story

Design Dilemma: How to Fix Up My Front Yard?

By Annie Thornton

4 Questions From the Houzz Community. How Many Can You Answer?

Full Story

LANDSCAPE DESIGN Yard of the Week: Elegant Poolside Retreat and Front Yard Lounge

By Wendy Helfenbaum

A landscape design-build firm gives a family in New Jersey an outdoor oasis for swimming, eating and relaxing

Full Story

LANDSCAPE DESIGN Patio of the Week: Designer’s Cozy Retreat in a Side Yard

By Lauren Dunec Hoang

Tight on space, big on style, this 15-foot-wide Boston patio has an outdoor kitchen, dining area and fireplace lounge

Full Story

MODERN HOMES Houzz Tour: See a Landscape Designer’s Mountain Cabin

By Becky Harris

In North Carolina, an architect designs a dogtrot house as a backdrop for the surrounding gardens

Full Story

GARDENING AND LANDSCAPING Take Back Your Front Yard: 8 Ways to Make It Social

By J. Peterson Garden Design

If only trees and squirrels gather in your front yard, you're missing out on valuable socializing space. Here's how to remedy that

Full Story

CURB APPEAL 7 Finishing Touches for a Thoughtful Front Yard

By J. Peterson Garden Design

Make a great first impression with artful house numbers, water features, garden art and more

Full Story

CURB APPEAL 7 Ways to Create a Neighborly Front Yard

By June Scott Design

Foster community spirit by setting up your front porch, paths and yard for social interaction

Full Story

137

Need design help for front yard landscape.

Comments (4)

NHBabs z4b-5a NH

Yardvaark

Related Discussions

Josue (Zone 9b, Central, inland California)

bernik

COMPANY

BUSINESS SERVICES

GET HELP

CONNECT WITH US