I need some layout assistance in my front yard... help!
Paul F.
5 years ago
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Paul F.
5 years agolast modified: 5 years agoRelated Discussions
I need help with my front yard ! (with photos)
Comments (16)IÂm usually a lurker and am a plantaholic type so feel free to ignore my comments. I love your view! And the house looks pretty interesting tooÂ.:-) mad gallicaÂs comments on side shrub border are the ones that resonate most with me. To that list of shrubs IÂd add the old-fashioned favorites of Bridalwreath Spirea and Beautybush (Kolkwitzia amabilis) for a great old-fashioned mixed flowering shrub hedge in combination with the shrubs mad gallacia suggested. Since all the shrubs on that combined list are spring or early summer bloomers, IÂd plant group 3 clematis to climb over them for some later flowers. Then IÂd line the path from the gate and along the fence with a nice wide perennial border heavy on later flowering perennials and interesting annuals. IÂd add a Downy Serviceberry tree or two for spring bloom, berries for the birds (and people if you can get to them before the birds do!) and great fall color. I'm not a big fan of most evergreens but others are so I'm sure there'll be suggestions of what to add for 'winter interest'.... Deciduous trees and shrubs are effective wind screens by slowing down and filtering the wind to reduce its force....See Morehelp my front yard needs some tlc..where to begin?
Comments (6)On the right side, looks like a nice hedge. But blocking the house is some kind of low tree? That's a bad spot for that. Your big trees are beautiful and will provide shade in summer. Just give them a haircut. I would aerate and reseed that lawn to make it all nice and green. But, it's a very nice lawn! I love your planter! The left side is too overgrown and needs some trimming. We had something at that at this house we bought. It took days to rip it all out, and we still encounter roots, but we get the thumbs up from happy neighbors all the time! Suzi...See Morewould love some help with my front yard
Comments (25)dsb, I've noticed that there is a dark gray/blue used for the shutters on some of the other houses, and it is much nicer than my shutter color. Every house has white trim, though. So we'll see - I have no idea how open they will be to the request. I think the potential problem will be the dark trim and removing the shutters. I don't think that painting the foundation will be an issue. Widening the walkway - interesting! I hadn't thought of that, but I will look into doing it. (I think I will also hve to get permission to do this.) I definitely see how it would look a lot nicer if it were as wide as the steps. I don't really like the pots on the first step now, and would love to get them (or some other containers) their own little spot. Good idea. oilpainter, I definitely agree about repairing the gate so that it won't sag. It has been driving me nuts for a while but I haven't gotten around to figuring out how to fix it. As far as painting the fence, I actually really love the look of the weathered wood, so I'm going to leave that as is. I know it isn't everyone's cup of tea, but I really like it. lazygardens, I like your idea about having some plantings at the intersection of the public sidewalk and the walk to the house. Very few of the houses on my street have any kind of landscaping (And most of the backyards are just a dirt hill - barely even any grass!), but one that is really nice has some nice little raised beds on either side of the walk to the house. It is so inviting and pleasant. I'd love to do that if funds allow. What about putting a few squares of paver (above and beyond any path widening) and putting containers there? Do you think that would have the same effect? karin, thanks for the additional feedback. I think I just didn't explain myself fully or clearly, because I think I am open to some changes. I was kind of imagining it as an all or nothing thing, especially before I had heard any ideas. But a lot of the suggestions are not huge major things, and they are all under consideration! Thank you all so much for your help! It has been really helpful to have your input and thoughts. I really welcome all the ideas. I'm still a ways away from doing the work, but this is really helpful to get me thinking about it in new ways. And when I do get around to getting started, I promise I'll post photos! Oh, and a quick question - as I said earlier, I have to get a big stump ground out of the right bed. Can I do that right before I plant new plants, or should there be some time between removal and planting?...See MoreLandscaping in front yard lacks cohesiveness. I need some design help!
Comments (3)"What is the green plant in the foreground?" I forgot to mention, fill in all the blank space between whatever regrouped perennials and shrubs you were able to use, with groundcover. It could be something that already exists in the plot; you just add more. (I see something low growing at the foreground of the second picture but cannot tell what it is ... if a weed or a good groundcover.) Or it could be a new addition. I don't know what's there, or even where you are, so I'm not calling out a specific groundcover. Plants have to be moved at the right time and/or by the correct method, or they will suffer. Usually, with perennials, they will get over the suffering and move on. The stone curb has some pieces that look to be about 10" or 12" in dimension. It would look better if the entire curb had that uniform width. I'd reset the stones, trying to achieve that, if you have access to more of them. It would mean that some of the smaller stones get doubled up. I would also try to set their top surface with some uniformity. Weeds are always the bane of a bed that has exposed soil. Get rid of them as much as possible, up front. After the planting has concluded, cover all the exposed soil with a layer of plant-based mulch (wood chips, bark, hulls, etc.) Apply Preen according to mfg. directions. Preen is applied on a schedule so be sure to enter the reapply date in your calendar. I'm convinced this is where most people become dissatisfied with it and say it doesn't work. Also, it may not be as good during the first application simply because there will be spots missed. The subsequent application will bring improved results. My Lowe's sells a smallish Preen for almost $20. Home Depot sells a large tub of it (almost 3x the size) for under $30. I would recommend the latter as it is much cheaper per square foot....See MorePaul F.
5 years agoPaul F.
5 years agoPaul F.
5 years agolast modified: 5 years agoPaul F.
5 years agoPaul F.
5 years agoPaul F.
5 years agoPaul F.
4 years agolast modified: 4 years agoPaul F.
4 years agolast modified: 4 years agoPaul F.
4 years agolast modified: 4 years agoPaul F.
4 years agoPaul F.
4 years agolast modified: 4 years agoPaul F.
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4 years agolast modified: 4 years agoPaul F.
4 years agolast modified: 4 years agoPaul F.
4 years agolast modified: 4 years agoPaul F.
4 years agoPaul F.
4 years agoPaul F.
4 years agolast modified: 4 years agoPaul F.
4 years agolast modified: 4 years agoPaul F.
4 years agoPaul F.
4 years agoPaul F.
4 years agolast modified: 4 years agoPaul F.
4 years agolast modified: 4 years ago
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