Before thinking about planting I would want to rethink the bed itself. At the moment it looks like a pile if earth with some tumbledown rocks around it. If the soil is touching the house walls I‘d want it pulled right back and levelled, especially since there’s a basement window there. I’d want it properly edged, either with a sharp sided trench, or a well constructed low wall. The black plastic pipe needs to be disguised somehow too. Only when all that was done would I plant anything. And to make any recommendations people need to know your location, not just your zone.

Haha yes, I am currently pulling the ivy and going to edge it and not sure if I will keep the rocks — they just seem high maintenance to me from having them at another home for keeping clean edges. Likely getting too hot so not planning to plant until fall. But wanted to start getting ideas.

In the Midwest — US

Oh and I consulted my father in law who is a pipe fitter, and he confirmed I can cover the drain with soil and mulch. It had been completely covered with ivy.

My guess was Chicagoland.

I'd continue the bed line from the left side of the house the whole way across. Then a small, ornamental tree in line with the right side house corner about 15 to 20 feet towards the street. I'd use the same evergreens (yews?) that exist on the left side of the house as the backdrop, and put something small and flowering in front. That probably is not going to be hydrangeas. The ones that are going to be the right size without a struggle aren't going to like the winters, and the ones that can handle the winters are going to need a lot of pruning to be the right size.

I would open up the area with the three arches and have no plantings there. It is such a nice architectural feature. Then plant a variety of blooming bushes and perennials along the right side. You could plant an ornamental tee out in the yard centered on the window or on the edge of the building.

Mock-up with the plants removed. You can see the stately stone work and the arches now.

Thanks so much houssaon! You have been so helpful with my house!! I tend to agree and was thinking of pulling the yews as well because they aren’t terribly overgrown, but I think if any shrubs are there, they should be smaller.

Thanks mad_gallica!! Yeah I would like something flowering over there; we currently have mostly evergreens. I am thinking maybe the bed doesn’t need to be as deep as it is so I can maybe push it back and do some yews with some flowering plants in front.

I would really think about not planting anything under the arches. They are so distinctive and not having a row of bushes will highlight the area.

Do Japanese Maple do well in your area? I think a feature ornamental out in the yard on the right side of the house will help frame the property and give a sense of depth. I can see a bed of ferns, Hostas and a few flowering bushes.

Yes, I had a Japanese maple at my old house so they do grow here. I suppose my one concern with a Japanese maple is that it got quite tall (I did not plant it so it got tall before I moved in.). I suppose this can happen with any plant :) would you plant any thing in front of the porch if not shrubs? You have convinced me to lose them because it was in the back of my mind already.

If you don't love gardening I think the bed depth should be reduced and much of it returned to lawn. Do you know what kind of ivy you have? If it is Hedera you will need to monitor that patch of ground for awhile. Any part of root left in the ground will continue to sprout. I think shorter Hydrangea would be best since you have a window there.

The shrubs near the arches are not improving the view. I would remove them.

I do not know the type of ivy, but I agree — it is going to have to be watched for awhile. The ivy is everywhere around the house so most of my summer is going to be spent with that. I don’t have that much time for gardening so don’t want anything too complicated or time consuming but do enjoy it for downtime especially since my kids are finally out of the baby stage, and I do have a little more time again :).

The ivy is a thug, that's why I believe 13 states have banned to sale of it. So you might want to rip out everything you are not keeping and wait 6 months to a year to get rid of it.

My Japanese Maple is almost 20 feet high. I planted about 20 years ago. It has been pruned a few times to keep it from some lines that come into the house.

I have about five varieties of hydrangea. It is one of my favorite shrubs. Oak leaf and PG (PeeGee) hydrangeas are great because the bloom lasts for a long time and the oak leaf has very attractive foliage into the fall. Easy to care for.

Former Clay Center, KS resident here: I had heirloom peonies, tulips, iris and crinum lilies. We had a huge lilac bush. Favorite place for Iris and Peonies in Kansas: Barnett's Family Farm
Something you might want to do is find the age of your house and create a garden based on the plant material available at the time or use the year the house was built to add heirloom flowers after that time. Old House Gardens good for sourcing really old cultivars

Josee Reblooming Lilac - Lilacs - Stark Bro’s · More Info

Thanks houssaon! Yeah — that’s probably like my old Japanese maple. I think I will try hydrangeas there and see what happens :) a lot of homes in my neighborhood have them, and they look so pretty. I have a narrow strip between our house and the neighbor’s driveway on the north side of my house (of course currently filled with that awful ivy!! The previous owners decided to do almost all landscaping in ivy haha) that I will probably get to asking for advice eventually and envision oak leaf and ferns because it is pretty shady. I like the idea of trying the smaller hydrangea.

Thanks octotillaks! I do love lilac and peonies. We are losing a peony shrub during a remodel we are starting this summer, but it kept getting strangled by the ivy that is everywhere so hopefully I can put a new one in eventually. We also have a lilac that I love, but as you mention —just so big for its spot. Indianapolis, IN is my area :).

Such a beautiful home; I love Tudors. :)

It’s looking great!

Thanks for the update.

tj