Remove the problematic existing larger shrubs and start over with a new arrangement. Consider hiring a garden coach, consultant or designer to view and discuss the site in person, come up with a different layout. House facade isn't geometrically symmetric so for the sake of consistency you will want to continue with informal planting, which is what you have already. Just not the same design you have now.

And close shearing of shrubs should be discontinued, as this has a formalizing effect that does not match your house. And produces a boring sameness, due to different kinds all having been given the same outlines (in formal layouts geometric patterns are made with the sheared plants in order to produce interest).

I really like the house, congratulations!

I agree with Embothrium. You really don't want large shrubs blocking the windows, so I would cut back the large euonymus or more likely remove it, and remove the conical evergreen by the door (perhaps move it to the corner?).

Start visiting plant sellers to see what is out there for your zone, with the intent to have a variety of texture/shapes than will hide the foundation but be easy to keep pruned to size.

some ideas:

Congratulations on your new home. My SIL lives in S Orange, NJ. The wonderful thing about gardens/landscapes in that area is the use of evergreens: when we visit at Christmas, the gardens look lovely. I would use annuals in your window boxes then choose evergreen perennials and shrubs. Nice lawn BTW.

I doubt that that single shrub would make a noticeable difference in heat gain. If it did, it would likely also be keeping the house colder in winter. A tree that casts shade over the entire side, especially onto the roof, would make a difference.

>perhaps move it to the corner<

Fastigiate shrubs at building corners emphasize height and squareness rather than soften it, are therefore not enhancements

>I doubt that that single shrub would make a noticeable difference<

Agree.

Thank you all. I think in the fall we will get a few landscapers to give us some ideas. This downsize involved me leaving a very large garden that I loved but I ain't getting any younger, so one of the attractions here is that there is less work and I can manage things. I will ask for something simple and easy to maintain. Thank you for the ideas. I've always like rhododendron and boxwood so might think of those and then some azaleas maybe. I may relocate some of the hostas to the back.

Various kinds of box are being hammered by box blight now, be sure to read about this before investing in new plantings of box. The likelihood of spoiling damage varies with the particular variety.

If that’s a Manhattan Euonymus, you can cut it back hard and let it grow back into a more appropriate size and shape. I’d remove the arborvitae, I don’t think it does anything for the house. A mix of dwarf evergreens and small flowering shrubs that won’t outgrow the space or need constant trimming would look good, IMO. Spirea, Caryopteris, Itea virginica, shrub roses. I’d cruise the nurseries and see what appeals to you.

I struggled with my window boxes earlier this year due to a hot western exposure and bud worms, but replaced some of the plants and ended up with a nice combo of Scaevola, Catharanthus, and Petunias, though I still have to spray the petunias for bud worms every couple of weeks. I’ll probably use a similar combo next year or swap the petunias for verbena or Calibrachoa or maybe Lantana. I’m in CT.

Hi folks, here is an update, thanks to quarantine I was able to do the work myself to remove the bushes in front of the house. Almost done, just have one more stump to dig up. My neighbor took the tall arborvitae and I transplanted the euonymous to the right side of the door. I moved a spirea that was there to the island garden. We went ahead with a few interior projects so I'm likely to do this re-landscape with the help of my bored college kid since we have time and I do not have a budget for a professional landscaper. Hoping to be able to shop at garden centers but our state is pretty much on lock-down so we will see. I need something tall to cover the electric meter - was thinking maybe a Nellie Stevens holly, but maybe that will be too big? I thought, too, to have some american boxwoods about 2-3 ft tall on either side and then maybe in front of them, some azaleas (last year I bought twice blooming azaleas and they actually did). Maybe add some endless summer hydrangeas into the mix in the front of the border, or something like catmint. The house is vinyl sided so will always be light grey with black shutters and the front door color, which I love, is a deep raspberry red color. So I think I would like a white/pink/raspberry color palate with maybe some blue/purple. I would love anyone's advice about this plan. Also do you think the online nurseries like White Flower Farm are still delivering? Thank you!

If you want less work, eliminate the window boxes. They look small and in a southern exposure would need constant watering to survive. Some nice in-ground plantings such as the above should take care of the front.

Yep, I am giving the window boxes away. Too much work to keep them looking good all the time. You see in the "today" pics that they are gone. Thank you.

A Nelly Stevens would be MASSIVE overkill.

Ok thanks. Got a good alternative Yard?

Any shrub that can be easily maintained at 3' height ... as opposed to 30' for a Nelly. Some dwarf hollies, azalea, boxwood ... that sort of thing.

I would take off the shutters. Your windows are nicely framed.

Interesting about the shutters, thank you. I would like something about 6 ft talk to hide the electric meter.

The gas meter appears to be not over 2' height, and the window bottoms about 4'. Why would you want a 6' height obstruction for covering the meter? If landscaping isn't going to be based on logic, then it would have to be based on reading your mind. It's going to be hard to help with that.

Yard, I'm talking about the meter to the LEFT, alongside the gutter. I am not concerned about the other meter, of course that would be covered. The meter to which I refer is in an area where I could have something larger as it also is relatively clear of the windows. I'm not interested in obstructing window view. That's my logic.....and I thought I was clear. If not, sorry.

Does your electric company have remote reading? Even if so, keep in mind that the meter needs to be kept readable and accessible when choosing a planting. Any shrub will need to be far enough away to allow a worker access to it (a shrub needs to be a couple of feet away from the foundation anyway). Perhaps a trellis with a vine?

Agree raee, plus I don't like anything too close to the house. Thank you. I prefer shrubs b/c I would like winter interest.

TFitz, when you say "gas meter," that's what I think you're talking about. The higher meter is electric. Sky Pencil Holly is a possibility. Regardless of what you plant, it would be good to paint the conduits, box and wires white in the meanwhile so it doesn't stand out as much. Be careful of planting something that will grow too large or fast or you'll end up regretting it.