Front Yard DIY Design Dilemma
Wayata
3 years ago
last modified: 3 years ago
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Wayata
3 years agoRelated Discussions
Update to my front yard design dilemma w/photos
Comments (10)It's lovely, but if it were my yard (nice house!), I would want some taller plants worked in there for visual effect. It looks too flat but maybe that's the way you want it. The color splashes and different varieties of plants are nice. My neighbors did their whole front yard and both side yards in hosta and heuchera. It is shaded and looks nice, but overkill. Now I see they have the grass shaved off and neatly levelled bare soil on the part where you have killed yours. I don't have any ideas for what to put there. I'm thinking of doing the same thing because I don't have enough full-sun spots for my flowers, but I don't want to just plant it willy nilly, and I don't want portulaca no matter how fancy it is, I like have something nobody else does but complementary to what grows natively in my zone. I don't know about moving the rhododendron, but some fullness and small flowering trees nearer the house might be an idea like dogwood or redbud. I've no idea what that one name you mentioned is. Also there's no real accent like a bird bath or shepherd's hook for a feeder/hanging basket or anything like that. I don't care for garden statuary, but a lot of people like it. It needs something though. I wouldn't recommend a gazing ball, but I broke down and got one and perched it on a makeshift trellis for my clematis so I hope it will just show a little bit. Sigh. I wish I hadn't seen that dead grass. Are you going to use a tiller? I want to strip off the sod and till it but am afraid because there are some utility lines under there, don't know how deep but do know where they are. Now all the above is from a novice POV as I'm not trained for landscaping and don't have a particular knack for putting things together right so bear that in mind. I do know what I like when I see what others have done....See MoreHelp me design my front yard! New homeowner!
Comments (7)It's the clipped lollypop standards that just don't seem right in the application here. I think they'd be be more effective as focal points to design garden beds around somewhere other than in the front yard - like one would design gardens around a fountain, statue or other garden art. How do you feel about low maintenance succulents between the walk and porch; one of the grasses as an accent? Something I'd love, but can't have much in the way of in my climate. As for additional shrubs under the window like a row of boxwood - that might get to look ordinary and tiresome, especially if mercilessly sheared. There are always two schools of thought regarding foundation planting on this forum - some like it, some don't. I have the "usual" foundation plantings, mirror image arborvitae, mugos, and yews. My house is a center hall colonial so that arrangement worked. It's lived far beyond its usefulness now - 40 years and I can no longer keep it in check, so it'll be ripped out and I'll have to face the replacement dilemma myself....See MoreFront Yard Dilemma - brick posts
Comments (9)Where we are in California, you may not have much choice BUT to choose drought tolerant plants. We are about to be asked to conserve 20% more (or has that happened already?), and that is after years of asking/forcing reductions in water usage. Anyway, as for plant choices, I or anyone could suggest a bunch of plants, but you still seem unclear about the general idea for your yard. Professionally done yards often have a bit of a theme (not obvious unless you've put some thought into it!) of perhaps tropical (on its way out, due to water measures), succulent/desert theme (can be done well or or look hideous, but in any event, wouldn't coordinate well with traditional brick--but that's my humble non-professional opinion), or mediterranean. Without guidelines, I'm going to suggest that you use some of what we used. At least you can look these up: For hedge or EASY care shade/sun always looks great dark green shrub that sprouts pretty white flowers all over, try Raphiolepis umbellata minor. Also, easy to trim into whatever shape you like. For some hardy blue=ish or purple easy-care shrub that smells fantastic, try some of the many different types of rosemary. For example, there's a common type around SoCal called Huntington's carpet. It is easy care, drought tolerant, and spreads out without getting over about 8" high. That can fill in some space for you. For more color, try osteospermum (African Daisies) commonly seen in purple and white everywhere around SoCal.... or.... geraniums which come in so many shades and grow fast and are pretty easy. I don't think Houzz's photo loading is working. Anyway, google what you need, or better yet, go drive around and see what other folks use who have great looking front yards....See MoreYard Landscaping Dilemma - looking for ideas
Comments (17)Yes, the Reno for this house was no-joke - unfortunately nothing was really salvageable from the original. The driveway is actually pretty wide and that backup area makes it quite easy - I become used to it fairly quickly. Luckily the street it exits into is not busy at all and dead-ends (unlike the street in front of the house). Thanks again everyone for your input. I'll definitely post before/after, although the progress might not be very fast (its looking like just the ready-hedge for the border will run me about 8-10K). I'll be starting with that first and handling the steep slopes that are annoying to mow. Then maybe i'll deal with making the inside/outside of the hedge look nice. I'm also still trying to figure out what to do at the steps from the sidewalk to the walkway that leads to the front door - should the hedge just stop at both sides? I was thinking of some sort of brick columns and maybe a gate, but I think the brick may look odd since there is no brick on this house - I originally purchased the Taylor junipers because I figured they would be good to frame the steps and would look better than just stopping the hedges at either side, but I see what @mindshift is saying about them growing tall and overwhelming the walkway.......See MoreWayata
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