I'm sad my idea for a map isn't working, but I'm going to keep trying to get my question out there. The house is facing north east, so these beds are mostly shade beds. My zone is 6b in Massachusetts. I have thought about groundcovers instead of grass between the beds, but it's such a high traffic area, I worry they are going to be trampled. We really don't use the side door at all, just the front door. By the way, when I drew the o's for the path, they really were meant to represent the stepping stones. It is not a paved walkway, it is a path of square bluestone pavers with grass in between (or mulch in the bed) leading from the driveway to the front door. So I have a 6x6 area right in front of my door which currently is a stepping stone path in between two beds. My question is, should this area be grass (which it is currently), paved, or groundcover? My goal is a to have a great way to transition from the grass and beds to the front door. I have lots of great plans for these gardens in front of the house and am very excited about them, but I want to make sure the entrance to the house is still a focal point. I'd love to hear about any ideas, or solutions to a similar situation. Lisa

Thanks all. Sorry for the delayed response. I live in northern Massachusetts, about an hour north of Boston. The portico is about 5 feet wide. I requested a precast concrete step (figured this would be the cheapest) as my foundation is granite they mount them on cement slabs, no footings needed. Attached is the current portico...you'll notice the lovely sloping due to the stairs sinking. (Please excuse the hideous paint color...that is going as soon as I figure out the portico situation.) I requested the rebuild to have two columns with picture frame molding, with an open vaulted ceiling design and a drop light. Now I am thinking perhaps instead of the columns I will do brackets with a curved design to play off the "visors" over the window.

we are going to tear down that ugly retaining wall and dig out so entire front of house will be exposed... want to add stone entry steps with porch or ? portico. Want to have large mossy and beautiful boulders to look natural and act as retaining wall. How do we get to front door with new plan? I wish we had never bought this place. It's so discouraging. The inside is ok and remodeled but the outside. it does sit on 40 acres but it's just such a hideous exterior.

This is an Very densely planted plan. Consider the mature size of the plants: PJM 5-10' high and wide, andromeda/pieris japonica smallest cultivars if you can find them 5 x 5 and up, lacecap hydrangeas generally 4-5' high and wide but some smaller cultivars might be available, buxus Green Mtn, 5 high by 3, common box gets 5-15' high, spiraea Little Princess 2h x 3 wide, hawthorn 20 x 20'. Think about the height of the window sills in relation to the shrubs. You can prune boxwood, but unless you really are into it, they become woody over time from shearing. One house photo shows lots of shade dappled so depending upon time of day, this will affect flowering shrubs in season. I agree that the pointy evergreen flanking the doors is uninspired. I would rethink this planting plan with a mind to sun exposure, plant size, and leaf texture. My sense is that this proposal will swallow up the house in not only an abundance of material, but in leaf density - it's all 'tight'. Don't do the walk until you figure out the plants. If you want three layers of mid sized shrubs, you may want a deeper bed which will push the walk further from the house. Then do the walk first as the prep and installation will wreck the planting bed. A 4' walk is ok, but a 5' walk allows two to walk abreast. Your house seems to have the scale to accommodate this. It's may be 'just' a foundation planting, but it will be costly and scale is crucial. You don't want to be pulling this out in five years. Also, your plant material choices will be significantly greater in the spring. Don't let any contractors tell you fall is a great time to plant. By early October the pickings are slim, material may be suffering in crowded pots, substitutions will not be optimal (cultivar/size, color, etc.). Moreover, evergreens require warm soil temperatures to establish before winter. retired professional