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need help with landscaping for front yard

4 years ago

We have a good-sized flower bed for landscaping in front of our house. (See attached photo of bed and a to scale sketch of it.) I think I would like to use 3 different plants. The ones on my short list are hostas, hydrangeas, reed grass or something similar, and another flowering plant that I haven't been able to identify. Maybe someone can identify it from the attached landscaping photo--the plant looks like the one I have circled but has flowers for a good portion of the summer. The ones I've seen mostly have yellow flowers but I've seen a few with purple. I'm also considering planting a lilac bush in one corner (to the left side of the porch) but am unsure if it would look odd there. We are in zone 3.

I'm not sure how to lay out the bed with different plants so that it looks nice. Can anyone suggest layouts for me? The bottom of the picture window is 4' above the bed. The porch is 30" high on the left side and 4' high in the front at the tallest point.

Ideally the bed would be fairly low-maintenance once it's been planted. Are any of these plants high maintenance ones?

Is there anything else I need to consider before buying plants for this bed?

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Comments (6)

littlebug zone 5 Missouri
4 years ago
last modified: 4 years ago
What’s the sun exposure? Is the front of your house the south side?

Another question - you said hydrangeas as a possibility. They are fine shrubs and one of my favorites, but if you are talking about regular size hydrangeas and not minis I think they would quickly be too large for this bed.
Embothrium
4 years ago
last modified: 4 years ago
Yes: not the best setting for things of some size like reed grass and hydrangeas. Speaking of the setting where is it located geographically? This applies directly to what kinds of plants might be suitable. Otherwise evergreen shrubs and ground covers are going to be the least work to keep up.
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It would be good to post a picture that shows an overall view of the front yard from the street back. It's necessary to see some of what's outside the yard, at its sides. For wide lot, it's best to pan the camera (while remaining in the same position) to show the left, center and right views. (Don't make a panorama out of the photos because it distorts the image too much.) For doing your own design, you should also prepare a to-scale plan view sketch that shows all of the elements (house, walk, drive, trees, shrubs, etc.) that will remain.
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Thank you, Beckysharp. I'm familiar with all of the plants and flowers that you mentioned. However, I would like some ideas of design similiar to what Yardvaark did, since I am basically starting over with a blank slate as all ou landscaping got destroyed by hurricane and what was left died during the time we were renovating.
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How much of the other side of the driveway does your property extend? In my first house I had a similar driveway/walkway. I had the bed go all the way to the driveway and across to the other side. An imaginary line across the driveway is my best description. I always wanted more beds and loved that zone on the garage side that most people seem to forget and not utilize. This also made it easier for me to landscape over time. I cleared the grass out of the new beds and covered in mulch. Then I could choose small sections to fill in over time, not all in one season. The plain mulched areas still looked nice and I would put potted plants in to get an idea of what would work where.
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You have a lovely house and a nice piece of land to work with. So much of landscaping is dependent on where you live -- the weather, soil, local pests, etc. IMO it's important to hire local people who understand local conditions, materials, etc. I suggest you figure out your budget, make a list of priorities (don't forget irrigation) then hire a local landscape designer to come up with a plan. It all adds up fast so get ready for a reality check. You can find design firms in your area, or check with near-by full-service nurseries -- many of them offer affordable landscape design services. Take your time, go on garden tours, do your homework and talk to several design firms. And have fun! It's going to be beautiful!
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V Smith
Original Author
4 years ago
I forgot to mention that it is part sun. The house faces southeast I think (sun rises in front of the house but off to the left of center a bit...I am not great at figuring out directions but I that makes it southeast).

It is in Montana. I know all these plants grow well here because they are all over my neighborhood in people's landscaping.

I do not want evergreens and ground cover. I want something pretty. I don't mind doing some work to maintain it, I just don't want to have to spend hours each week maintaining it.
V Smith
Original Author
4 years ago
Is there something similar to reed grass that would be better? I really don't mind if the bottom foot of the window is covered, and that would mean whatever is planted in front of the window could be 5' tall.
Embothrium
4 years ago
last modified: 4 years ago
A few hours a week is low maintenance. However if this one bed is going to be the extent of it, with the rest of the property being mostly ignored that shouldn't require much time.
V Smith
Original Author
4 years ago
My husband does the lawn and the few trees we have so I was only referring to time to maintain this bed. And it's the very beginning of spring here...things are just starting to green up so nobody's lawn looks nice yet.

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