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Landscape Design The Old House Design Dilemma

Curb appeal side/back of house facing street 1900 Farm house

2 years ago

Would like to add some curb appeal to the entrance or side of the farm house. The original front of the house is now the back of the house. The driveway comes up the side on the right around the back (pool, garage) back there now. There is another door on the wrap around porch that is sort of the front door now, its as you come up the driveway on the right.

View from street. Where the large brick wall/chimney is I've thought about putting an ornamental tree there. It doesn't get a lot of sun bc there are two large Hackberry trees on either side. And I have some Hydrangeas to plant in front of the white lattice that hides the AC units.

Closer view as pulling in drive way.

Looking up driveway.

The front door now. We are working on the boxwoods, trimming to promote growth on lower part. Lining walkway with monkeygrass and seasonal bulbs.

Featured Answer

sseibert
Original Author

2 years ago

We have only owned the house for a year. You would be amazed how much tree/shrub cutting we have already done! All bradford pears were removed. Several hackberries removed and a LOT of tree limbing. We trimmed up the shrubs a bunch last year but didn't want to totally shock them. Took them down some more this year. So its a work in progress. All that to say...the property is actually very charming, even magical : ) There is LOTS of shade but also that pretty scattered light coming through the trees. My biggest concern is that brick chimney wall that faces the street. We have discussed Japanese Maple or Japanese LIlac tree. The maple is pretty but I'd love a flowering tree if possible. It is very shady though and don't know if the Lilac would do well? Appreciate any ornamental tree advise please. Here are the boxwoods when we purchased the house! There is one tall section left in the trimmed pic above b/c a robins nest with eggs are in there right now. But basically we have brought all of those down to porch level except the ones on the corners of house.

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Comments (8)

houssaon
2 years ago
Well you can't see the house from the street, but when you do it is a stunner! I would not change a thing on this gem.
Hutchae84 Zone 8b/PNW
2 years ago
I think it is pretty charming just as it currently is. Sorry, not very helpful, but as a city dweller I find is very nostalgic.
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rustynail
2 years ago
Stunning as is!
PRO
Yardvaark
2 years ago
The overall appearance gives an impression of a history of tree neglect. There is so much shade that the atmosphere looks somewhat gloomy ... too many low hanging limbs and branches obstruct too much of the view. All of that would be fine near the yard perimeter, especially if one is trying to block any outside views. But at the central area of the yard, especially near the house, it's a little dark.

The street impression would be much improved if the drive apron, outside of the gate, was paved with some hard material.

There could be a large shrub centered in front of the now blank wall of the chimney-looking area.

It looks like a lot of shrubs at the front of the house need a complete rejuvenation. And someone needs to learn the acceptable shapes of trimming them so as not to lose the bottom foliage.
PRO
Yardvaark
2 years ago
I can see you have done work!

When it comes to shrubs and rejuvenation, I cut to ground and grow the whole thing over, shaping it the way I want it. There never seems to be evidence of so-called "shock" from this. Instead, it's very quick regrowth from established root systems. There are certain plants that do not regrow, such as Junipers. There will be a few others that balk, but the overwhelming majority bounce right back. Since the only reason to do this is because of them being malformed or overgrown, if they can't endure it, I wouldn't want them anyway.

A lilac is not going to do well in shade. IMO, a large shrub form would be more appropriate there than a tree form. You might consider something in the Hydrangea family.
sseibert
Original Author
2 years ago
My concern is the shrub not being tall enough at least for a long long time. What about a Japanese maple? Was going to curve the bed out in front of that chimney and have azaelas around it.
PRO
Yardvaark
2 years ago
I don't think Jap Maple will get enough light to look great. The tree form would be too big. The shrub form would look good but will there be enough light?

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