I used to be much more active. I may be an example of why we as a group aren't as active now. rhizo made a valid point that this is a slow time of year for citrus. Those of you in the north have your trees indoors and my in-ground trees are mostly dormant although a few of my trees beg to differ. I was more active when I first got started and had bookoos of questions and was just posting photos of my trees for the first time. Now, I post once in a while but most of you have seen all there is to see of my trees. I'm also spreading my time into some other activities now that I have most of my citrus needs figured out. It's always been a great and very active forum and most of us still come through here now and then, just don't have anything newsworthy to share yet. That being said, I was shocked Friday when I walked by one of my Ponderosa lemons and saw little purple leaves sprouting....almost certainly will get frozen if we get the cold snaps we always get in February. It's been sooooo mild here this "winter" that I have an avocado growing outside that came up from a seed I tossed out with other compost under my kumquat tree. My calamondin is also unaware that it's February. It's smack in the middle of a rather large burst of blooms.

Not being familiar with what is winter hardy in your region, I hesitate to make a lot of specific recommendations. However, a few things to consider: Japanese maples are adaptable, but have only moderate to low tolerance for salt, so think about whether your road is salted in winter and where run-off goes when you are placing that tree. Basically, think about placing plants to connect your house to the land, so it looks like it is nestled into the setting rather than sitting atop it, and something to soften some of the edges. The large trees behind and alongside your home give you a good start on this. Evergreens will, of course, give you color and coverage year 'round, but don't overlook deciduous plants hardy in your region that will also provide winter interest, like winterberry holly (you'd need a male and a female), red twig dogwood, witch hazel. Plants native to your region are usually a good choice, as they are well-suited to the climate and have co-evolved with and support local wildlife (think birds, butterflies, bees, and a host of tiny beneficial insects that help control pest insects). Therefore, native plants usually (but not always) require less attention from you. There are many non-native plants, too, that will "play nicely" with your native choices. Choose plants that are well-suited to the site where they will be living. Consider the amount of sun/shade, moisture levels, wind conditions, and, very important: your soil. Best bet is to have a soil sample analyzed for structure, pH (acid/alkaline balance) and nutrients. Here in the U.S. we have our cooperative extension services, run by state universities, with offices in most counties that provide a wealth of information, including soil testing. Perhaps you have something similar? If not, then you can do some basic tests at home. Most common landscape and garden plants on the east coast of North America prefer slightly acid to neutral soil that drains well, but is rich enough in organic matter to retain some moisture and nutrients.

Dress designers first make a trial copy before they cut up their expensive fabric. You might try something similar yourself. Before you start replacing columns and garage doors and shutters... Try painting. I always think front entry garages look better with the door disguised. If we could make it disappear, even better. Pick one of the colors in your brick ( which I don't think is yellow, I think it's really a nice beige with some good dark accent bricks), and paint the garage door that color. Those round pencil columns are attractive. If it were my house, before I did anything to those columns, I would paint the shutters just a little bit darker than the dark brick. If the brick is chocolate, I would mix chocolate with black paint for the shutters. Then ignore it for a few days, and sneak up on the house and look at it with a fresh eye. That will help you decide what color to use on the front door. My first impulse is often a deep lacquer red. It's a beautiful house. Have fun!

Really nice house. There is some white from the fascia on the underside of the shingles of the porch roof but that's not noticeable from a distance. If, however, you want a bit less white, you could paint the fascia the same gray as is dominant in the roofing but leave the window and door trim white. Where is the driveway? is the building behind the house your garage? Really like the Hydrangeas. Grass seems a lot healthier with the season change and your care. Did you do anything to upgrade the steps and/or sidewalk? If not, you might consider cladding the steps with brick or stone pavers and outlining your sidewalk with stone as well, leaving the tops of the outline material ground level. https://www.google.com/search?q=facing+concrete+steps+with+stone&client=firefox-b-1-d&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwiAs_qlwt_qAhXllHIEHUWkB3YQ_AUoAXoECA0QAw&biw=1366&bih=654#imgrc=5zN--r55-XLfwM You could then create a planting area along one side or both sides of the sidewalk or just outline the wider sidewalk with a planting of a low growing plant you like that grows well where you live (?Liriope?) . https://www.etsy.com/listing/804693762/liriope-flowering-grass?gpla=1&gao=1&&utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=shopping_us_low-low_d-home_and_living-outdoor_and_garden-garden_decoration-yard_art&utm_custom1=ee26f8df-d4da-4642-96a7-2daebcf72e89&utm_content=go_6721326423_78897197949_388267833987_pla-310643597252_c__804693762&utm_custom2=6721326423&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIjaXg9cPf6gIV1MDICh2EPgheEAQYASABEgIzXfD_BwE