landscaping / exterior help needed
Me Benson
4 years ago
Featured Answer
Sort by:Oldest
Comments (11)
Anna (6B/7A in MD)
4 years agoMe Benson
4 years agoRelated Discussions
Need help with ugly exterior and steep driveway landscaping
Comments (20)This picture illustrates a few changes that you might explore. (The hillside planting is still too busy for my tastes; I'm just playing with what you already have.) My railing isn't a perfect copy of what you have, but you get the idea. Don't know what would be the best tree for you. Something like Arbutus might be a possibility. Surely, there are trees you've seen there that you'd welcome into your front yard. You could get some local advice on that. If your retaining wall is in "healthy" condition, you might explore the idea of modifying portions of it for improved appearance, rather than replacing the whole wall. For example, its saw-tooth edge could be altered so that each elevation runs for several feet before dropping to the next lower level. Each level could turn at 90* (as per the left side of drive) for a much more substantial looking wall. At the right side of drive I'm trying to show if the corner were rebuilt as a radius corner instead of 90* where the drive meets the public walk. (Or, consider a 45* bevel at the corners.) Another thing I'd look into is facing the wall with artificial stone for a much improved appearance. If that's out of the budget, then painting it a darker, stone-like appearing color instead of stark white I think would help a lot. I also like plants that drape over its top edge. Also, you might tweak the house paint scheme. I think a slightly darker body color might show off the white trim to better advantage. And maybe a little less busy scheme at the garage door would be an improvement. Those are just some ideas you might consider. You ask about removing earth to make the yard less mound-like. I can't see how that's a possibility unless you were to remove those extra retained areas that sit inside of your main retaining wall. You must have earth that connects the upper level to the lower level. There doesn't seem to be any surplus beyond what you need to accomplish that (except those retained areas mentioned.) This post was edited by Yardvaark on Tue, Mar 19, 13 at 10:29...See MoreExterior/Landscaping help
Comments (5)You can plan now, but wait until the windows have been replaced before replanting to avoid damage to the garden. I would be likely to plant a small ornamental tree about 8’ or so (depending on the tree width when mature ) off the corner of the house and then underplant with smaller shrubs and groundcover to break up the expanse of blank wall. The bed will need to be deeper front to back to do this. I might also remove the raised bed in front of the stoop to continue the line of shrubs across, choosing taller shrubs for the area with more height below the windows. Plant something low in front of the low window. I think that the rigid lines of the current raised bed will contrast too strongly with sloped left side of the garden. Adding shrubs across the front stoop will camouflage the contrast. Just keep the shrubs across the stoop area no taller than a few inches above the stoop floor....See Moreneed help on deciding exterior paint color and landscaping
Comments (2)The colors you already have look very nice, and and go well with all your stone. If you really want to change, maybe 1 shade lighter, would work....See MoreNeed exterior advice lights/landscape with new house color- BMHaleNavy
Comments (6)@celerygirl Thank you for your suggestions and visual, it really helps. I am thinking of taking out the existing garden below the big window and using the planters- not sure what I'll fill them with yet, most likely grasses and flowers. We do open those windows at times so will have to put that under consideration too. I never thought of plants along the edge of the walkway- that's a nice look. We just removed an old ash tree that took up a lot of the front yard and shielded the window with some privacy- might be a good time to replace with the tree/shrub you placed in there. Thank you for your suggestions....See Morejessupjl06
4 years agogardengal48 (PNW Z8/9)
4 years agoMe Benson
4 years agoC Hamilton
4 years agoYardvaark
4 years agoMe Benson
4 years agomarymd7
4 years agoYardvaark
4 years agolast modified: 4 years ago
Related Stories
GARDENING GUIDESYou Don't Need Prairie to Help Pollinators
Woodlands, marshes, deserts — pollinators are everywhere
Full StoryEXTERIORSHelp! What Color Should I Paint My House Exterior?
Real homeowners get real help in choosing paint palettes. Bonus: 3 tips for everyone on picking exterior colors
Full StoryPETS6 Ways to Help Your Dog and Landscape Play Nicely Together
Keep your prized plantings intact and your dog happy too, with this wisdom from an expert gardener and dog guardian
Full StoryLANDSCAPE DESIGNDoes Your Landscape Need a Little ‘Cosmic Latte’?
Beige — the color of the universe — can be both building block and backdrop in a contemporary garden
Full StoryLANDSCAPE DESIGNHow to Help Your Home Fit Into the Landscape
Use color, texture and shape to create a smooth transition from home to garden
Full StoryLANDSCAPE DESIGNFire-Wise Landscapes Can Help Keep Your Home and Property Safe
Choose fire-resistant plants and materials and create defensible areas using these design strategies
Full StoryCURB APPEAL7 Questions to Help You Pick the Right Front-Yard Fence
Get over the hurdle of choosing a fence design by considering your needs, your home’s architecture and more
Full StoryWORKING WITH PROS10 Times to Hire a Landscape Architect
This pro can solve problems, ensure that your home and landscape complement each other and help design special features
Full Story
Yardvaark