The most major consideration in the street appeal department is fixing the retaining wall. It looks cheap because it doesn't have "returns," and extremely "busy." It should be extended farther forward (because the slope continues) and limited to maybe 3 levels, as opposed to the sawtooth and innumerable levels. The taller shrubs along the steps look obstructive and messy (as no rhyme or reason for their arrangement), The bald mulch is not a good flavor, and having the turf lawn extend into the sloped area seems like unpleasant maintenance and a shortcoming in the bed geometry. I'd opt for a lot of groundcover instead. The low hanging tree limbs need to be removed. Whether the Jap. maple can be cleaned up and retained ... we would need to see a picture of its trunk relative to the house wall. I'm not trying to show the capabilities of planting in the picture, but just the walls and logical bed line.

I liked Celerygirl’s first and last color schemes from her Wednesday post. I wouldn’t remove the shutters since they are totally architecturally appropriate to these windows and this type home. I would most likely also add them to the second floor windows since that is the way this style house would have traditionally looked. I like the bed line Yardvaark sketched out which looks great with the classic architecture and doesn’t hide it. I wouldn’t put anything much above window sill height across the front of the house.

All great points NHbabs! Thank you. We will have to see how quickly the boxwood grow, but can plan to trim them each year if needed. The Arborvitaes may have actually all died over the winter, so we will have to wait and see if they come back and if not perhaps replant new ones further apart or plan to have them topped each year. Once again, thank you!

Your trees are worth thousands of $$$$ to the value of your house. You have different shapes and seasonal interest. I wouldn't cut ANY of them. The hemlock (?) has a chance to grow HUGE; I would make one exception to this, namely if it's close to that HUGE tree. The really big tree might need more space. However, before you do that, consult an arborist. It's possible the hemlock is actually fueling the large deciduous tree, or they're interacting in some other way.** However, the beds abutting the house....I think I would change those out, since they look rather dull (I might be wrong on this because this might be a seasonal thing). I would remove the young little tree (maybe a fruit tree) that stands in line with the front door and find another spot for it. It's going to be a nice addition once it blossoms, just not there. How about on the other side of the driveway? **A good book to read regarding tree relationships is "The Hidden Life of Trees".